Virginia Power Innovation Program
The Virginia Power Innovation Fund and Program is for the purposes of research and development of innovative energy technologies, including nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture and utilization, and energy storage; and to award grants on a competitive basis from the Fund to support energy innovation in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Section 45.2-1734. Virginia Power Innovation Fund and Program
The Virginia Power Innovation Program (the Program) is hereby established for the purpose of (i) establishing a Virginia nuclear innovation hub from such funds as may be available from the Fund and (ii) awarding grants on a competitive basis from such funds as may be available from the Fund to support energy innovation. The Program shall be administered by the Department. In administering the Program, the Department shall, in collaboration with the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium, establish and publish guidelines and criteria for disbursement of funds pursuant to clause (i), including providing grants to support higher education research on advanced nuclear technologies and advanced reactor technologies, to fund nuclear energy workforce development programming, and to assist with site selection for future small modular reactor projects in Virginia. In administering the Program, the Department shall, in collaboration with the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, establish and publish guidelines and criteria for disbursement of funds pursuant to clause (ii). The Department shall oversee each grant awarded through the Program and ensure thorough reporting on each such grant.
Program Overview
The Virginia Department of Energy invites proposals for energy innovation in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with grants to be awarded at its discretion.
Total Amount Available
Up to $3 million
Applications Received
August 15, 2024 - September 15, 2024
Total Amount Available
$10,000-$1,000,000, pending available funds
Grant awards are made at the discretion of the Virginia Department of Energy and in determining grant amounts, the following criteria will be considered:
- return on investment
- impact on energy affordability, reliability, and clean energy goals in the Commonwealth
- capital investment
- utilization of research-based technologies
General Reporting Requirements
Each project must provide updates related to deliverables or contracted actions per initial agreement. Shall include cost share details, information on addition leveraged funding, and a summary of potential economic benefits.
Multiple Grants
Grants may be made for more than one project for a single company, entity, or locality, but the projects must clearly represent separate investments for separate projects.
Miscellaneous
- Confidentiality: Each grantee should be aware that information regarding the grantee, including its application materials and its level of achievement of its performance goals under the performance agreement, may be shared by the Virginia Department of Energy with the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, and the general public.
- In the event that the terms of the performance agreement have not been met by the applicable performance period date, demand for repayment or a grant reduction, if appropriate, will be made by the Virginia Department of Energy within thirty (30) days of the date of verification. If appropriate, Virginia Department of Energy may agree to accept repayment in installments. The Department may direct the Office of the Attorney General to assist with the enforcement of a repayment.
Application Process
The applicant shall submit a completed application (below) to:
Deputy Director Julianne Szyper
Virginia Department of Energy
VaEnergyGrants@energy.virginia.gov
Download Application Form
