Applications for this grant are now closed.

Grant abstract

The San Francisco Environment Department (“SF Environment”) is issuing a Request for Qualifications, inviting qualified entities to join as a co-applicant with SF Environment for a grant application to the California Energy Commission’s General Funding Opportunity (“GFO”)-23-301: Energy Efficiency and Load Flexibility in Industrial and Commercial Cold Storage Facilities.

The purpose of GFO-23-301 solicitation is to demonstrate and deploy advanced energy efficiency and load reduction technologies in industrial and commercial cold storage facilities. The goals are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enable load shifting capabilities to benefit the grid, and gather real-world energy data to help existing and planned cold storage and refrigeration facilities reduce energy use and costs. 

Request for Qualifications 8670: Co-applicant for California Energy Commission Commercial Refrigeration Grant

The San Francisco Environment Department (“SF Environment”) is issuing a Request for Qualifications, inviting qualified entities to join as a co-applicant with SF Environment for a grant application to the California Energy Commission’s General Funding Opportunity (“GFO”)-23-301: Energy Efficiency and Load Flexibility in Industrial and Commercial Cold Storage Facilities.

The purpose of GFO-23-301 solicitation is to demonstrate and deploy advanced energy efficiency and load reduction technologies in industrial and commercial cold storage facilities. The goals are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enable load shifting capabilities to benefit the grid, and gather real-world energy data to help existing and planned cold storage and refrigeration facilities reduce energy use and costs.

The development of GFO-23-301 is guided by the CEC’s Electric Program Investment Charge 2021 Interim Investment Plan. This solicitation pertains to the Funding Initiative 2, Energy Efficiency and Demand Response in Industrial, Agricultural, and Commercial Cold Storage. This solicitation seeks projects developing and deploying innovative technologies and solutions that must fall within one of the following project groups:

  • Project Group 1: Industrial Refrigerated Warehouses
    A refrigerated space greater than or equal to 3,000 square feet constructed for storage or handling of food, pharmaceuticals, and other products with a space temperature of 55°F or less.
  • Project Group 2: Commercial Cold Storage Facilities
    A refrigerated space less than 3,000 square feet constructed for storage or handling of products with a space temperature of 55°F or less.

Request for Qualifications issue date: October 24, 2023

Final day for questions: November 6, 2023, by 5 PM (PST) (Email questions to David.Kashani@sfgov.org, no phone calls)

Qualifications due: November 15, 2023, by 5 PM (PST).

RFQ and attachment located at the bottom of the page.

Who can apply: For-Profit and/or Non-Profit entities 

Grant size and timeline: Grant size and timeline will depend on CEC’s award. Grant size is expected to be between $450,000 to $3,150,000 depending on Project Group and after SFE administrative fees.

Geographic Focus: City and County of San Francisco. 

Qualifications: The successful co-applicant in each project group is expected to possess the following:

  • Licensing and Certification: Properly licensed and certified to conduct all work necessary to successfully design, install, and commission the advanced refrigeration technology.
  • Experience: Must have experience in assembling a team of engineering professionals and subcontractors capable of designing, permitting, installing, and commissioning in any of the following technologies:
  1. Advanced dehumidification technologies that reduce refrigeration loads
  2. Defrosting and frost build-up prevention technologies (e.g., applying anti-ice coatings)
  3. Integrated thermal energy storage technologies (e.g., dedicated ice storage, brine cold storage that enables operational flexibility, and electric load shifting)
  4. Retrofits that enable waste heat recovery and reuse (e.g. conversion of concrete slab heating from electricity to heating with heat transfer fluid, enabling reuse of compressor waste heat)
  5. Advanced refrigeration controls that enable operations scheduling and pre-cooling during off-peak times, optimizing defrosting cycles in response to grid conditions, operating electric motors and pumps, etc.
  • 3rd Party Measurement & Verification: The project team must include a third-party measurement and verification provider, capable and willing to track the project(s) for up to twelve (12) months, post commissioning, as required by the CEC.
  • Safety Training: Must have completed all training in workplace safety practices, including handling hazardous materials, maintaining a safe working environment, and deploying personal protective equipment.
  • Insurance and Bonding: Must carry liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and bonding to protect themselves, site hosts, and the City in case of accidents or property damage.