Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov/solicitations/2020-11/gfo-20-307-food-production-investment-program-2020
Funding: Total: $7,000,000. Maximum awards: $100K-$6M.
Dates: Pre-Application Workshop: December 1, 2020. Questions Deadline: December 03, 2020. Application Submission Deadline: February 05, 2021.
Summary:
Food production costs generally tend to be higher in California than elsewhere and California’s food processing industry faces stiff out-of-state and international competition. Providing support for updating and improving food production facilities with energy efficient and/or renewable energy technologies will reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This could help ensure California’s food processing industries remain competitive and operational, and the jobs associated with food production remain in California.
The goals of the program are to accelerate the adoption of advanced energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, demonstrate their reliability and effectiveness, help California food processors work towards a low carbon future, and benefit priority populations. The technologies to be funded by this Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO) will help reduce energy costs, maintain product quantity and quality, and reduce GHG emissions associated with food production. The FPIP is open to all California food processors. All projects funded under FPIP must reduce GHG emissions and further the purposes of AB 32 and SB 32 and must be located at a food processing plant in California.
Project Topic Areas:
Tier I: The focus is installation of commercially available, energy efficient equipment that are drop in replacements/additions to current systems and that can result in greater GHG emission reductions and higher efficiency than current industry standards. Projects can include upgrades or replacement of existing equipment that will result in GHG emissions reduction projects.
Eligible technologies for Tier I are limited to the following: Compressor controls and system optimization; Machine drive controls and upgrades; Mechanical dewatering; Advanced motors and controls including variable frequency drives; Refrigeration system optimization; Low-GWP Refrigerants; Drying equipment; Process equipment insulation; Boilers, economizers; Steam traps, condensate return, heat recovery; Evaporators; Internal metering and software to manage and control electricity, natural gas and/or fossil fuel use if part of a larger project that reduces energy usage; Waste heat to power; Industrial cooking equipment.
Funding:
There is up to $7 million available with potential for additional funding. Tier I: Focuses on commercially available, energy efficient equipment upgrades that are drop in replacements or additions to existing equipment or processes that provide greater GHG emission reductions than current best practices or industry standard equipment. Eligible costs covered by the grant: Equipment, and Measurement and Verification (M&V) of project performance. M&V costs will be reimbursed by the grant only when outside parties are used. Use of in-house staff are not reimbursable.
Under Tier I, eligible costs for grant funding are limited to the cost of equipment that will result in reductions of GHG emissions and any M&V required for validation of GHG emissions reduction. Tier I projects can receive grants up to 65% of the eligible costs and require a 35% match of eligible costs from the applicant or other sources as described later in this section.
| Tier | FPIP Funds Available for Awards | Award Size | Minimum Match Requirement (% of FPIP Funds Requested) |
| I | $7 Million | $100,000 – $6 Million | 35% of Eligible Costs |
Project Requirements:
For the purpose of this FPIP application, GHG emissions reductions must be estimated as part of the application process and will need to be verified after installation of the funded equipment. Estimates submitted as part of the application process are not reimbursable by the grant. Once an award is made, the detailed measurement to verify greenhouse gas emission reductions is eligible. Verification must be provided for pre- and post- equipment installation through actual on-site measurements. Estimates of GHG emission reductions must use the FPIP Benefits Calculator Tool posted on CARB’s website. The Energy Commission grant provides funding to contract with independent third party subcontractors. Self-certification using in-house staff is also acceptable but will not be reimbursable by the grant. The Energy Commission or its consultant reserves the right to conduct an audit of a sample of the projects to verify assumptions and estimates of energy savings and GHG emission reductions. Any eligible food processor can submit one or more applications for Tier I. However, each application must be for a distinct project with no overlap with respect to the tasks described in the Scope of Work, Attachment 3. The maximum award amount per entity under this solicitation is a total of $6 million.
Eligible Applicants:
Applicants to the FPIP are limited to food processing facilities located in California. The applicant must own or operate one or more food processing facilities that is the site where installation of grant funded equipment will occur. For the purpose of the FPIP, food processing facilities are those defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes 311 (Food Manufacturing) and 3121 (Beverage Manufacturing). To be eligible for funding, projects must meet all the following minimum requirements: Applicant must be a food processing facility located in California; Proposed projects must reduce GHG emissions as defined in the grant solicitation; and Applicant must meet all eligibility and other criteria specified in this solicitation.