State Energy Program Grants
OED offers funding opportunities to support local energy projects and initiatives across Indiana. These programs reflect the need for and the commitment to energy infrastructure investment and resilience planning.
To learn more information about current and future programs or if you have any questions, please contact us at grants@oed.in.gov.
If you would like to be notified of new grant opportunities, please subscribe here.
Indiana-Focused Battery Energy Storage Systems Study
Status: Closed
Recent Award
Exeter Associates was awarded federal funding to develop an Indiana-based study on the comprehensive evaluation of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) applications and the impacts. This study provides detailed information related to the current state of technology; safety; workforce development and employment impacts; state and local economic impacts; installation, operation, decommissioning, and recycling practices; and community engagement needs and best practices as they pertain to utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) deployment in Indiana. Report development involves extensive consultation with Indiana stakeholders to ensure that the ultimate findings and recommendations are tailored to the unique policy, regulatory, and energy system circumstances of Indiana. The recommendations provide policy, programmatic, and planning considerations related to utility-scale BESS deployment in the state.
The RFP and an FAQ document are listed below.
Empowering Energy Partnerships in Indiana Communities (EPIC)
Status - Closed
The Empowering Energy Partnerships in Indiana Communities (EPIC) program was funded by Indiana's State Energy Program enhanced formula funds authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) is making approximately $2.5 million available for community-based energy projects that support comprehensive and impactful solutions with a focus on development and enhancing broad partnerships. Proposals to the program defined community energy needs, solutions, and measurable outcomes within one or more of the following topic categories:
- Energy Efficiency
- Energy Security and Reliability
- Alternative Fueling and Charging Infrastructure
- Clean Energy Resources
Eligible entities for the EPIC program included local units of government, non-profit organizations, for-profit entities, and institutions of higher education. Entities that work throughout a community or region and can coordinate partnerships were strongly encouraged, such as local and regional economic development organizations, community foundations, and other organizations that participate in community development initiatives.
Recent Awards
City of Bloomington – Bloomington was awarded $508,068 in federal funding and will provide $213,316 in matching funds. Bloomington will transform the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in downtown Bloomington, Indiana, into a model of energy efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency through comprehensive upgrades to its mechanical systems and the installation of a state-of-the-art rooftop solar photovoltaic plus battery storage system. This initiative seeks to significantly reduce the theater's energy consumption and operating costs while minimizing its carbon footprint, thereby enhancing its environmental sustainability.
Fort Wayne City Utilities – Fort Wayne was awarded $596,346 in federal funding and will provide $119,557 in matching funds. The Sustainability Office of Fort Wayne City Utilities (CU) is seeking to increase energy security and reliability and reduce energy costs, diverting savings back into crucial resources for our community. Together with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, the City has selected fire station 5 located on Lower Huntington Road, fire station 12 located at South Anthony Boulevard, and the YMCA located on Bowser Avenue to receive solar arrays. The Fort Wayne City Utilities will also install a battery energy system at the YMCA location. They will also host educational events in the community.
Terre Haute Regional Airport - Terre Haute Regional Airport was awarded $500,000 in federal funding and will provide up to $2,495,000 in matching funds. Terre Haute Regional Airport Authority will install a 1.27 MW ground mount solar photovoltaic array with pollinator habitat.
For additional information about EPIC, please click here.
Indiana-Focused Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Study
Status - Closed
The Indiana Office of Energy Development (IOED) recently launched a study to research small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) technology and analyze its potential impacts if deployed or developed in Indiana. While there are currently no SMRs commercially active in the United States, the IOED sought to work with a partner to conduct an Indiana-specific study in order to better understand SMR technology, the benefits and drawbacks of its deployment, and its applicability to the state. Purdue University conducted the study, linked below.
Below are the study summary, summary handout, and the technical report:
The RFP and additional information are listed below, including an FAQ.
Community Energy Security Planning Grant Program
Status - Closed
Communities throughout the state can take advantage of the Community Energy Security Planning Grant opportunity to enhance energy reliability and resilience at a local level by developing or enhancing their energy security planning efforts, with a focus on critical infrastructure. This competitive funding opportunity will assist communities in assessing and preparing for local energy security through comprehensive planning to ensure more reliable and resilient energy infrastructure. An energy security plan identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks to energy infrastructure and to plan for, respond to, and recover from events that disrupt energy supply.
- Announcement
- Application Form
- Application Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Presentation slide deck
Recent Awards
The following communities were awarded federal funding to develop a local energy security plan. The energy security plan identified and assessed risks to energy infrastructure, to better plan for, respond to, and recover from events that disrupt energy supply. Energy infrastructure and delivery systems are vulnerable to a variety of threats and hazards, including severe weather, cyberattacks, system failures, pandemics, and deliberate physical attacks. The goal of this plan was to engage efforts to protect our community for life threatening outcomes, connect energy partners in a whole community practice for resilient efforts, and provide the best recovery efforts based upon cost and timeliness.
Benton County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – Benton County was awarded $45,000 and provided $5,000 in matching funds.
Bartholomew County Emergency Management– Bartholomew County was awarded $45,000 in federal funding and provided $5,000 in matching funds.
Town of New Carlisle Electric Line Department – New Carlisle was awarded $43,500 and provided $4,833 in matching funding.