Maryland Energy Administration Announces New Game Changers Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jahmai Sharp-Moore | 443-694-3651

Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Energy Administration is pleased to announce the opening of the fiscal year 2017 (FY17) Game Changers Program. The Program provides financial assistance on a competitive basis for innovative renewable energy systems in two (2) areas of interest.

• Area of Interest 1 (AOI 1): Innovative technologies that are expected to reduce the cost or increase the efficiency of traditional Tier 1 renewable energy systems (Tier 1 renewable sources are defined in Maryland Public Utilities Article 7–701) while driving economic development opportunities; and
• Area of Interest 2 (AOI 2): Customer-sited electric storage systems that are integrated with a Tier 1 renewable energy source. Maryland Energy Administration will only consider systems that provide a quantifiable reliability or resiliency benefit, demonstrate an innovative use case for storage, and drive economic development opportunities. Examples of innovative use cases may include the potential for storage to mitigate intermittency from on-site renewable generation, to manage on-site demand during times of highest need, or to provide another benefit to the host customer or electric system more generally, including utility distribution systems and wholesale markets.

Consistent with prior rounds, the FY17 Program Applicant cost share is at least 70%. For more on the application materials, minimum requirements, and competitive evaluation criteria please carefully review the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Questions can be directed to gamechangers.mea@maryland.gov .

Maryland Energy Administration will host an informational webinar that will cover details on the program, application process, grant agreement, and evaluation criteria. If you or your organization would like to participate in the FY17 Game Changers Program Webinar, please RSVP to gamechangers.mea@maryland.gov with your name, organization, and contact information. The date and time of the webinar will be scheduled and posted on our website soon.

Please Submit Application Packages by NOON on December 1, 2016 to: gamechangers.mea@maryland.gov or mail to:

Game Changers Program
c/o Maryland Energy Administration
1800 Washington Blvd, Suite 755
Baltimore MD, 21230

The Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) mission is to promote affordable, secure, and safe energy while maintaining energy independence, sustainability, and reliability through innovative and effective policies, programs, technologies, and financing mechanisms. The Maryland Energy Administration advises the Governor on directions, policies and changes in the various segments of the energy market. As demand/supply competition, technological innovations, and policy changes by the federal government cause major changes in market sensitive energy sectors (e.g., petroleum markets, gas deregulation, and emerging competition in the electric utilities sector), State government must be in position to respond to new opportunities, as well as adjust to any potential dangers. For more information about the Maryland Energy Administration, visit www.energy.maryland.gov .