Item 9
VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
Staff Report – Item 9
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Edward Burnham, Finance and Operations Director
SUBJECT: Summary of VCE Grant Activity
DATE: December 14, 2023
This informational report summarizes VCE’s grant participation activities during 2023.
1. Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) - EV Charger installations (“Electrify Yolo” project).
This $2.9 million grant awarded in December 2028 and is for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure within Yolo County. VCE was awarded the grant in cooperation with Yolo County and the cities of Davis and Woodland. VCE coordinated with the City of Winters to get additional charging infrastructure installed there. VCE is near completion of the installation of the charging stations in partnership with member jurisdictions. VCE received a grant extension expiring December 31, 2024.
2. Responsive, Easy Charging Products with Dynamic Signals (REDWDS) - California Energy Commission (CEC)
The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program grant provides up to $9 million in grant funds to accelerate the development and deployment of easy-to-use charging products which help customers manage electric vehicle (EV) charging and respond to dynamic grid signals. Up to $300 million in additional grant funds may be available in the future to complete a second phase of work for agreements initially awarded funding under this solicitation. VCE in partnership with Monarch Tractor and GridTractor has been provisionally approved for $337,500 to provide bidirectional electric tractors using dynamic rates similar to the the AgFIT program.
3. California Air Resources Board - Electric Autonomous Tractor Swarms (EATS) Grant.
VCE has partnered with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) and Monarch Tractor to apply for a $5M statewide grant for the engagement of the agricultural sector to develop customer programs and initiatives that decarbonize, community resiliency and custom savings. The grant application is under review and evaluation.
4. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) - Agricultural Flexible Irrigation Technology (AgFIT).
Launched in 2022, VCE’s AgFIT supports local growers in decreasing energy usage and costs and VCE was awarded $4.2 million. In partnership with Polaris Energy Services and TeMix, the program provides incentives for irrigation automation and leverages software to help agricultural customers manage energy costs while providing maximum Item 9
2 flexibility. The system gives agricultural customers visibility into energy prices a week ahead to help schedule irrigation for when energy costs (and other demands on the grid) are lowest. This program continues to evolve and gain participation.
5. California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) - Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Microgrid Program
The CRC Program will focus on improving community facilities to enhance the state’s emergency preparedness capabilities, particularly in response to climate change. VCE applied for $5.7 million in funding to enable VCE’s Gibson project (13 MW photovoltaic (PV)+ 13 MW battery storage) to act as a microgrid for the Yolo County Capay Valley.
The Capay Valley (Madison Circuit) has been identified as one of the most interrupted circuits in California. The Madison circuit serves 5 emergency support centers including fire districts and medical. The Madison Circuit serves +4000 customers, 800 CARE/FERA, +160 life support, and +10 critical support customers. VCE was not approved for this grant opportunity and was recommended to pursue the strategic growth council grant opportunity.
6. Strategic Growth Council (SGC)- Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Microgrid Program
The CRC Program will fund neighborhood-level resilience centers to provide shelter and resources during climate and other emergencies, as well as year-round services and programming that strengthens community connections and the ability to withstand disasters. VCE applied for $5.7 million in funding to enable the Gibson photovoltaic (PV)+ battery storage facility to act as a microgrid as described in the above CDFA grant.
This grant application is under review and evaluation.
7. County of Yolo American Rescue Plan (ARP) - Electrification Retrofit Rebate Outreach (ERRO)
Electrification Retrofit Rebate Outreach program to encourage low-income households to access a portion of $1B in state electrification rebates. Yolo County has partnered and awarded VCE with $100,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to VCE for execution.