Maryland Energy Administration FY 20 Combined Heat & Power Program Open

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Grant Program is now open for applications until Wednesday, February 12, 2020. MEA will host two informational webinars to explain how to submit a successful application on Tuesday, September 17 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM and Thursday, October 3 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, click here to register.

The CHP program provides financial assistance to commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, and critical infrastructure entities for the installation of CHP systems in their facilities. The FY20 CHP Program has up to $4.1 Million available in funding.

CHP systems allow facilities to produce electricity on-site and recapture the waste heat from this generation to satisfy thermal load, reducing or eliminating the need to purchase additional energy to do so. Implementation of CHP systems also allows the facility to benefit from more efficiently-produced electricity via the avoidance of transmission and distribution line losses, become less dependent upon grid electricity, increase resiliency, and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through cleaner-burning fuel sources such as natural gas, landfill gas, and biofuels produced from organic waste.

Significant cost savings are realized through the reduction in grid-purchased energy, the spark spread between electric rates and natural gas rates, and increased efficiencies. CHP systems are an excellent way for these entities to improve bottom line. They also provide critical infrastructure facilities such as hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, and community centers with a reliable, consistent source of energy during grid outages.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until February 12, 2020 or until funding is expended, whichever comes first. Projects must meet all eligibility requirements to be considered for award funding. Full program information and application materials can be found on the MEA CHP website. Please contact CHP Program Manager Brandon Bowser at BrandonW.Bowser@Maryland.gov or via phone at (410) 537-4086 (toll free at 1-800-72-ENERGY) with any questions or concerns regarding eligibility or application requirements.