What is distributed energy generation and storage?

The Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program, one of three financing programs under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, aims to boost the ability of community lenders to finance clean energy projects in low-income and disadvantaged areas, ensuring these underfunded communities have the necessary capital to implement and sustain clean energy initiatives. By mobilizing enabling infrastructure in low income and disadvantaged communities, the CCIA Distributed Energy Generation and Storage initiative will support projects, activities and technologies in alignment with Executive Order 14057.

What is distributed energy generation and storage?

To enable a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035, investments in distributed energy and storage projects have been specifically identified by CCIA as eligible for low-cost capital and technical assistance. The technology-neutral program supports a broad range of energy generation and storage technologies from 1 kW to 10,000 kW. No generation type is either specifically eligible or excluded, so long as the project supports the production of electrical energy from resources that generate no carbon emissions.

What is enabling infrastructure?

In the context of CCIA, enabling infrastructure enables the deployment of small-scale power generation and storage technologies that produce carbon pollution-free electricity. For example, an energy efficiency project that (i) is part of a larger distributed energy generation and storage project and (ii) is reasonable and necessary for that project would be eligible if the distributed energy generation and storage project is a qualified project.

Electric distribution system upgrades needed for interconnecting distributed energy and storage projects are considered "enabling infrastructure." These upgrades can be financed as standalone projects if they meet the criteria for a "qualified project" or as part of a broader distributed energy project without needing to meet that definition. Notably, "enabling infrastructure" has distinct definitions under the National Clean Investment Fund, Clean Communities Investment Accelerator and Solar for All programs, varying by context. There are no limits on the amount of funding used for “enabling infrastructure” under the distributed energy generation and storage project category.

EPA anticipates that most energy efficiency projects will not be considered qualified enabling infrastructure. Learn more about net zero-emission buildings.

What projects qualify?

All qualifying projects must meet the criteria listed below and also must be located in a low-income and disadvantaged community. However, it is not necessary to meet all requirements of low-income and disadvantaged communities. Projects can qualify by meeting one or more criteria points.

1. The Distributed Energy Generation and Storage initiative is technology neutral, meaning there are no categorically eligible or excluded technologies as long as it produces carbon pollution-free electricity, defined as “electrical energy produced from resources that generate no carbon emissions.”
2. The project, activity or technology would deliver additional benefits (i.e., in addition to producing carbon pollution-free electricity) to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
3. The project, activity or technology would not have otherwise been financed, mobilizes private capital and supports commercial technologies.

Take action

Implementing distributed energy generation and storage in underserved areas is vital for a sustainable future. Through the CCIA Distributed Energy Generation and Storage initiative, you can obtain the resources and support needed to drive significant improvements.

Reach out to a CCIA specialist today to learn how your project can qualify for affordable capital and technical assistance. Together, we can build a sustainable future.