Combined Heat and Power Partnership
Repowering Assistance Program
| Date Last Updated | 1/30/2013 |
| Incentive Type | Grant |
| State/Federal | U.S./Federal |
| Incentive Administrator/Contact Office | USDA - Rural Development |
| Incentive Initiation Date | 3/14/2011 |
| Incentive Size and Funding Source | The Repowering Assistance Program provides payments to biorefineries that install new systems that use renewable biomass to produce heat and power for plant operations and replace the use of fossil fuels. It provides reimbursement payments to help offset the costs associated with converting existing fossil fuel systems to renewable biomass fuel systems. The program encourages the use of renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels used to provide process heat or power in the operation of eligible biorefineries. The amount of assistance is determined by the availability of funds, the project scope and the ability of the proposed project to meet all the scoring criteria. In particular, the percentage reduction in fossil fuel used by the biorefinery, the quantity of fossil fuels replaced by a renewable biomass system, and the cost effectiveness of the renewable biomass system. Payments are made for eligible post-application costs incurred during the construction phase of the repowering project. Assistance can be awarded in amounts up to 50% of the total project costs as long as it does not exceed the maximum award for the fiscal year. The program will provide reimbursement payments (not more frequently than once per month) for eligible project costs of the renewable biomass system during the construction phase of the repowering project. Up to 90% of the funds can be used during project construction, with the remaining 10% made upon demonstration of successful completion of the project. |
| Eligible Recipient | To be eligible, an applicant must produce and sell an advanced biofuel. An Advanced Biofuel Producer is an individual, corporation, company, foundation, association, labor organization, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, group of organizations or non-profit entity that produces and sells an advanced biofuel. Eligible biorefineries are those that were in existence prior to June 18, 2008. |
| Eligible Fuel | Biomass; Biogas |
| Eligible Project Size (MW) | Does Not Specify |
| Minimum Efficiency Required (%) | Does Not Specify |
| Other Selected Eligibility Criteria | A variety of technologies can be used to convert renewable biomass into heat or power. Technologies may include, but are not limited to, anaerobic digesters, processed steam, biomass boilers or CHP. Advanced biofuel is a fuel derived from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch, including:
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| Application Form(s) | Application Form (PDF) (5 pp, 163K) |
| Other Incentive Details | The control and availability of biomass is crucial to a project's viability. The feedstock used for the production of biogas and electricity can be created internally or purchased from external sources. Applicants must demonstrate, at the time of application, that the proposed site has direct access to biomass or third party commitments to supply biomass for the repowering project for at least 3 years. |
| Resource Website(s) |
