The purpose of the Energy Innovation Fund is to drive the development of a vibrant, sustainable, export-oriented energy transition industry in the Territory to create jobs and grow and diversify the ACT economy.

The ACT is an internationally recognised destination for world-class renewable energy research and innovation. It is an incubator for energy technologies, from software management systems for renewable energy assets, to distributed energy resources (DER), virtual power plants (VPP), energy storage and grid integration, renewable hydrogen, ‘sector coupling’ and electrification. These strengths are supported by the ACT’s excellent research and development capabilities.

Funding stream 1 (Technology Demonstration Grant) will support energy innovation projects, through technology research, development and demonstrations, that have relevance and applicability to the ACT’s energy transformation as well as potential for export.

The expected outcomes from funding stream 1 are to enhance:

• Energy transition innovation technologies with the potential to export outside the ACT 
• The acceleration of research, development, and commercialisation of critical renewable energy and enabling technologies
• Translating research into commercial applicaitons 
• Incentivising collaboration across industry and research organisations
• The growth and development of the ACT renewable energy sector

Funding

A total of up to $10 million for Stream 1 is available over 5 years. Organisations can apply for funding between $50,000 and $1,000,000 (excluding GST) per grant. The same application can only be made once each year, unless invited to resubmit by the assessment panel.

Funding stream 1 aims to provide early-stage funding to businesses within the ACT to support new and emerging technologies, ventures, and activities consistent with the funding scope provided at Appendix A of the guidelines.

Funding will focus on commercially oriented energy transition innovation, while remaining technology agnostic. The Fund is open to innovative proposals from companies irrespective of the energy subsector they represent.

Examples could include but are not limited to: emerging storage technologies; innovative electricity demand-side solutions; or innovative business models for zero emissions transport.

Funding stream 1 will remain open at all times for submissions, with a deadline each quarter for proposals to be assessed.

Eligibility

A lead organisation seeking a Technology Demonstration Grant must:

• Be able to achieve all project milestones within three years of commencement. 
• Be able to demonstrate the minimum 1:1 matched co-contribution. While co-contributions can include in-kind contributions, higher cash contributions will be viewed favourably during assessment. 

General eligibility criteria

A lead organisation seeking a grant under the Energy Innovation Fund must: 

• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Hold all insurances required by law, including $10 million public liability insurance and workers compensation, or be prepared to acquire these if successful in gaining an Energy Innovation Fund grant.
• Be an ACT based organisation, OR the majority of the proposed funded activities must occur within the ACT.
• Have demonstrated satisfactorily acquitted or meeting outstanding grant milestones, reporting requirements, and obligations, including financial acquittals for previous Energy Innovation Fund funding.
• Be able to demonstrate a contribution towards the ACT’s target of net zero emissions by 2045.
• Be registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) if applicable (if turnover is greater than $150,000 per annum).
• Businesses that support First Nations communities and people experiencing and people experiencing vulnerability will be regarded positively. Registered Indigenous businesses are particularly encouraged to apply.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The following are not eligible to receive funding under the Energy Innovation Fund:

• Organisations who are unsuccessful in securing a grant during the same calendar year, for the same project. 
• A Commonwealth, state or territory government agency.
• Universities and other research institutions are only eligible if they partner with a business, with an independent ABN, as the lead applicant. *Universities and other research institutions may not apply as the lead applicant, except under stream 2: Policy Challenge Grant.

Applicants must disclose any legal proceedings or investigation deemed relevant to the grant, including litigation, arbitration, mediation or conciliation that are taking place, pending or (to the best of the applicant’s knowledge, after having made proper enquiry) threatened against the applicant or a related body corporate (as defined in the Corporations Act).

Applicants are not eligible if:

• the Territory determines that any information provided by the applicant regarding legal proceedings or investigations materially impacts their suitability as a grant recipient 
• the organisation and individual shareholders of the organisation are subject to any insolvency event. 
• the applicant or organisation are named on the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sanctions list

• Email: EPSDD.EnergyInnovationFund@act.gov.au