Financing Mechanisms

There are a number of financing mechanisms available for companies working with new energy technologies. Some examples are listed here:

DOE Technology Commercialization and Deployment Fund (TCDF) is in place at three of our premier national labs: the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), Oak Ridge and Sandia. 

Need:   DOE desires to bridge the so called "commercialization valley of death” that has emerged between laboratory research and marketplace deployment.  National laboratory invented innovations struggle to find post-research and pre-venture capital funding as the idea is technically validated, but still too risky to attract private investment.

Objective:   Accelerated deployment of EERE technologies into the commercial marketplace.  Projects should advance the EERE mission objectives of promoting the production of clean renewable energy; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; reducing energy intensity and reducing US dependence on petroleum or natural gas. 

How it works:  The national labs, in conjunction with industry, will identify promising technologies facing the “commercialization valley of death.”  The lab will then make matching funds available to any private sector partner that wishes to pursue deployment of the technology.  For example, the lab will match $500,000 for the further prototyping and testing of a promising technology if the private sector partner also invests $500,000.

Funding: $4,000,000 at NREL, $2,500,000 at Oak Ridge, and $700,000 at Sandia.

How to Apply:  TCDF funds and contractual agreements will be administered by the national laboratory at which the technology is to be further developed.  To learn more about how to apply contact the National Laboratory's Director of Technology Transfer: Tom Williams at NREL, Casey Porto at Oak Ridge and Craig Tyner at Sandia (all copied above).

The TCDF is another example of EERE’s commitment to commercialization and deployment.  Earlier efforts have included the VC Technology Showcase and the Entrepreneur in Residence program.

The Colorado Clean Energy Fund - The 2007 Colorado Legislature provided funding to the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), formerly known as the Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation, for the purpose of creating the Clean Energy Fund. 

The Clean Energy Fund will provide revenue for the purposes of advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the state. Under the Governor's Energy Office stewardship, the fund will be used to target investments in emerging technologies and attract new energy economy investment into Colorado.  Some of the Clean Energy Funds will be made available under a competitive application process.  Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) is available during the October 2008 NEED competitive cycle ending November 3, 2008.

Application is found here: http://www.colorado.gov/energy/resources/funding-opportunities.asp