Over the last month, the California Energy Commission (CEC) announced the first in a series of 24 funding opportunities to support innovative energy technologies and solutions that will be released throughout 2014. Grants will be awarded through the CEC’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program, and cover a wide variety of topics across renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technology applications. The program has an annual funding of $162 million.

Program Background. EPIC is an electricity ratepayer surcharge established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in December 2011 to benefit the ratepayers of three investor-owned utilities (IOUs): Pacific Gas and Electric Co., San Diego Gas and Electric Co., and Southern California Edison. EPIC funds clean energy technology projects that promote greater electricity reliability, lower costs, and increased safety. In addition, EPIC projects are intended to lead technological advancement and breakthroughs to overcome the barriers that prevent achievement of the state’s statutory energy goals.