Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund

Research and Development Projects

Matching grants for early stage businesses or researchers who are engaged in pre-commercialization research and development activities in transformational, cutting edge and proprietary clean energy technologies.  

Awards will target projects that:

• are supported by viable science;
• propose game-changing, transformational technology;
• have large market potential;
• align with Wisconsin or regional strengths; and
• are likely to be commercialized or manufactured in Wisconsin.

Examples of R& D Projects

Eligible Costs

Only costs directly associated with the proposed research project are eligible.  These include:

• Salaries of applicant personnel (owners salaries are not eligible)
• Professional services provided by independent third parties
• Equipment critical to the research project
• Supplies and materials

Grant requests may not exceed 50% of the total project costs.  All Commerce grant money must be spent in Wisconsin, where practicable.

Grant Terms

Grant period may not exceed 18 months.  Grant disbursements are contingent on proof of match.

The First Funding Cycle is Now Closed!

The department is no longer accepting applications.  Applications for the first funding cycle were due June 2, 2008. Future funding cycles will be announced on this webpage at a later date.

  Examples of R & D Projects

1. The Pittsville Engine Company, which makes medium sized generator engines, has invested in researching a new generator engine, specifically for anaerobic manure digesters.  It has identified a market need to produce generator engines specifically designed to run on biogas.  Currently, all available generator engines in the world are designed to run on commercial gas or LPG.  The owner of the company needs late-stage R & D funds to solve three specific problems related to the performance of its Methane Monster engine:  1). increasing the efficiency of the heat exchanger on the engine (which enables farmers to heat water with the waste heat from the engine, saving on propane costs) from 60% to 80%;  2). improving the filter on the engine so that it need only be replaced once a year rather than once every three months; and 3). developing a more corrosion resistant paint/coating for the interior surfaces and parts, so they suffer much less corrosion from the biogas.  The company proposes to spend $750,000 on the project and should have its results to report in a year.  It is applying for $150,000 to finalize the prototype.

2. Researchers at UW-Madison have teamed up with the Forest Products Laboratory and the Midwest Food Processors to explore the concept of developing large-scale, low-cost production of ethanol and electricity using forestry waste products, row crop residues and municipal solid waste.  It is anticipated that this project will initially produce seven million gallons of ethanol and 5.4 Megawatts of electricity using waste products.  If successful, that capacity is expected to be doubled in two to three years.  The technology using gasification and fermentation will be used in a pilot demonstration.  The pilot project will use feedstock such as forestry waste, waste products from sawmills and waste from cranberry, cabbage and alfalfa crops.  Tests will also be conducted to determine if ash generated as a waste product will be environmentally safe.  The entire demonstration project will cost $2.5 million.  UW-Madison has contributed $1 million to the project, the Forest Products Laboratory has provided $1 million and the Midwest Food Processors have donated $400,000 to move forward with the research.  The research team is requesting a $100,000 grant from Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund to pilot production equipment costs.