Maryland Energy Administration Combined Heat and Power Grant Program Now Accepting Applications

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is pleased to announce that the Fiscal Year 2022 Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Grant Program is now open. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for all applications is 5:00 P.M. EST, Friday, January 28, 2022, or until program funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.

Up to $3.6 million is available to Maryland’s businesses, State facilities, local governments, critical infrastructure, and other organizations to help offset the costs of installing qualified CHP systems for their operations. CHP units provide electricity and usable heat energy from a single fuel source, which makes them highly-efficient, sustainable sources of onsite energy that can dramatically reduce an organization’s dependence on utility-supplied electricity and heat energy from traditional sources such as boilers. These systems can also be (and often are) configured to operate during grid outages to continue supplying energy to essential building loads until utility power is restored. This resilience capability is especially important for critical infrastructure facilities like hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, and multifamily housing complexes where uninterrupted access to power is crucial to safeguard lives, health, and safety. CHP systems can also help businesses such as manufacturers and food producers avoid loss of product and keep crucial supply chains moving.

CHP systems come in many types of sizes and configurations to meet a wide range of applications, and fit within even the most challenging of facility footprints. They’re also versatile on fuel sources: natural gas, renewable natural gas, biofuels, hydrogen, and other fuel types can all be used, based on the purpose of each system’s design. Other types of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar PV systems and battery storage, can also be combined with CHP units to create resilient onsite energy systems, such as microgrids, that benefit one or multiple buildings. 

If you’re new to the concept of CHP, MEA highly recommends reviewing our CHP Resource Guide. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy’s CHP eCatalog is a powerful resource for organizations considering systems for their operations, and includes a highly-searchable database of CHP units, solution providers, financial resources, and technical support.

Visit MEA’s CHP webpage for full information on the program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply. Questions or media inquiries can be directed to Brandon Bowser, Energy Resilience Program Manager, at BrandonW.Bowser@Maryland.gov.

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The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) advises the governor and general assembly on all energy matters, promoting affordable, reliable and cleaner energy. MEA develops and administers programs and policy to support and expand all sectors of the state’s economy while benefiting all Marylanders and implementing legislation. Please visit Energy.Maryland.gov and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for more information.