Technology Innovation Programs
The Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority’s (CEFIA) Technology Innovation Programs provide financing to help technology innovators and entrepreneurs advance development and commercialization of emerging clean energy technologies. The goal is to support growth of Connecticut’s clean energy industry, resulting in job creation, reduction in clean energy costs, environmental benefits and enhanced energy security.
The programs are designed to build investor confidence in emerging companies, customer confidence in new products, and public and market awareness.
CEFIA offers the following Technology Innovation Programs:
- The Alpha Program funds development and testing to establish the technical viability and commercial potential of promising, early-stage technologies; see www.ctcleanenergy.com/alpha.
- The Operational Demonstration (Op Demo) Program funds installation and testing of near-commercial technologies at representative customer host sites in Connecticut; see www.ctcleanenergy.com/opdemo.
If you have developed a new technology (or an innovative application of an existing technology), please complete the Technology Innovation Programs Pre-Qualification Survey to receive feedback on which program you may be eligible for. Click here to download the survey and send your completed survey to newtech@ctcleanenergy.com.
Please note that applicants must first submit a Pre-Qualification Survey before applying to the programs. If you appear to be eligible for one of the programs, you will be encouraged to submit a full application by downloading program documentation and application materials from the respective program Web page.
Development and commercialization of products/processes based on the following technology areas are eligible for funding consideration through CEFIA’s Technology Innovation Programs:
- Electricity generation from renewable energy sources including solar, wind, low-impact hydro, wave and tidal, ocean thermal, geothermal, and landfill gas
- Electricity or thermal energy generation by capturing pre-existing waste heat or pressure from industrial or commercial processes
- Fuel cells, hydrogen production and hydrogen conversion technologies
- Electricity generation from non-renewable energy sources using high-efficiency methods (for example, high-efficiency internal combustion engines)
- Alternative fuels used for electricity generation including ethanol and biodiesel, or other fuel produced in Connecticut and derived from agricultural produce, food waste or waste vegetable oil
- Low emission advanced biomass to energy conversion technologies
- Combined heat and power systems
- Electricity infrastructure improvements, including energy storage for the electrical grid
- Geothermal (ground source heat pumps) and solar thermal for heating/cooling
- Thermal storage systems
- Advanced energy efficiency, conservation and energy management for buildings and industrial processes (for example, HVAC systems, lighting, building envelope technologies, continuous commissioning, monitoring, control systems)
- Electric, electric hybrid, natural gas or alternative fuel vehicles and associated infrastructure and any related storage, distribution, and manufacturing technologies
- Advanced technologies that reduce energy use from traditional fossil fuel sources
For more information about eligible technology areas and additional, minimum eligibility requirements, click here. For a complete description of eligibility requirements, download the Program Guidelines document from the Web page of the relevant program.
Program Announcements
- The current funding round of the Op Demo Program opened on October 27, 2011, with a deadline for receipt of full applications by close of business on February 9, 2012. Prospective applicants applying for funding in this round must submit a Pre-Qualification Survey by January 30, 2012.
- The previous funding round of the Alpha Program closed on June 15, 2011. The next round is anticipated to open in early 2012.
Links to Important Information
- Technology Innovation Programs Fact Sheet –COMING SOON.
- Links to other resources - COMING SOON.