MEA Launches $500,000 Data Center Energy Efficiency Grant

Today the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) announced the launch of the Fiscal Year 2018 Data Center Energy Efficiency Grant Program (DCEEG). The program, now in its second year, is designed to support the robust and growing information technology (IT) sector within Maryland by providing grants on a competitive basis to encourage the implementation of cost effective energy efficiency technologies in data centers throughout the State. This grant program is a first of its kind incentive to be offered by a State Energy Agency specifically for data centers. Successful projects must result in the reduction of energy usage within a data center through cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

According to Mary Beth Tung, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration, “This program fully supports Maryland’s ‘Open For Business’ mission by recognizing and investing in the information technology sector. Data centers are modern economic drivers but are also major energy users. By partnering with and investing in data centers, Maryland can help reduce energy usage, improve competitiveness, and drive innovation.”

The competitive Pilot Program is open to any commercial or state/local government data center located or being constructed within the State of Maryland with an overall facility size of at least 2,000 square feet. Grant awards will range from $20,000 to $200,000 per eligible project, subject to funding availability. Grants are designed to cover up to 50% of the net customer cost (up to $200,000) for innovative and cost-effective energy efficiency solutions. Eligible efficiency measures include (but are not limited to) server virtualization, air flow optimization, aisle containment, lighting, controls, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), motors and variable frequency drives, heating ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades, and building insulation and envelope improvements. MEA will provide an informational webinar that will cover details on the program, application process, and evaluation criteria. If you or your organization would like to participate in the Data Center Energy Efficiency Grant Pilot Program Webinar, please RSVP to datacenters.mea@maryland.gov with your name, organization, and contact information. The date and time of the webinar will be scheduled and posted to the DCEEG website soon.

For first round consideration, applications are due to MEA by 11:59 pm, November 2, 2017. Additional information about the program, including the application, can be found here. For more information or assistance, please contact Rory Spangler at Rory.Spangler@Maryland.gov.