Feasibility studies and business cases

Co-funding up to 40% of the cost of an eligible feasibility study (up to a maximum of $50,000).

Projects can be in an industrial or commercial setting, including public sector, and relate to any technology or process that relates to energy efficiency or renewable energy use. For example, you may apply for funding to determine the viability of:

• installing a more efficient compressed air system in a manufacturing plant
• upgrading the heating system for a commercial complex, or hospital
• converting or replacing a fossil fuel heat plant with one that uses a renewable fuel.

Applications are assessed on the quality of information provided, and how likely it is that the project will lead to cost-effective energy savings or uptake of renewable energy.

Public organisations or private sector businesses that spend more than $1,500,000 a year on stationary energy. You must also:

• own or manage the plant or building that the project relates to (you can use a consultant to develop an application in the name of a business owner or manager)
• use a qualified consultant who has no vested interest in equipment to be used in the project to undertake the study
• demonstrate that the scope of the study has been defined after a reasonable exploration of viable solutions
• demonstrate that the cost of the study is competitive
• commit to implementing the project.

Smaller energy users may be considered if they are investigating new technologies or processes with a high replication potential.