Funding for Scalable and Replicable Decarbonization Demonstration Projects
The Empire Building Challenge: Hospitals Program (EBC: Hospitals) seeks to fund demonstration projects that showcase innovative approaches to achieving meaningful energy reductions that can be replicated and scaled in existing hospital buildings across New York State.
Through this competitive solicitation, NYSERDA will award up to $5 million to selected hospitals for the construction and installation of scalable, efficient, low-carbon solutions, such as electrification of building systems, electrification readiness projects, and comprehensive energy efficiency projects that will achieve significant carbon and/or energy reduction.
How It Works
New York State hospitals can request up to $5 million, capped at 75% of the total project cost, for the construction and installation of low-carbon solutions that reduce existing buildings’ energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Projects may involve electrification readiness, comprehensive energy efficiency improvements, and electrification of building systems. Implementation of measures and proposed solutions must be completed within three years of the date of award.
Applicant and Project Eligibility
The EBC: Hospitals Program is open to all hospitals located in New York State, but funding must be used for existing hospital facilities. The proposer must be a hospital, or representative authorized to act on behalf of a hospital.
Projects must only include existing hospital buildings located in New York State. Examples of eligible, contingent, and ineligible energy reduction and decarbonization projects are listed below. NYSERDA will consider additional project types on a case-by-case basis.
Projects must have completed a feasibility study or equivalent analysis prior to proposal submission. If a feasibility study hasn’t been completed, proposers can receive cost-shared funding through NYSERDA’s FlexTech Program.
Eligible Activities
- Electrification of building heating and cooling systems: Installation of heat pumps, VRF systems, thermal energy networks, or alternative approaches that reduce fossil fuel consumption.
- Geothermal projects: It is recommended that applicants consider ground source heat pump borehole testing to ensure that the project location is suitable prior to submitting a proposal.
- Building electrification readiness projects: Conversion of distribution systems (e.g., steam to hot water), electrification of building systems (e.g. domestic hot water equipment), high-performance building envelope improvements, and other upgrades that reduce building thermal load and demand.
- Comprehensive building energy efficiency improvements: Impact the reduction of energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall building load.
Contingent Activities
The following upgrades can only be funded when incorporated alongside an eligibility activity listed above:
- Energy efficient medical equipment upgrades and operation improvements for medical equipment resulting in energy savings (e.g. scheduling, implementing standby modes, etc.)
- Upgrading existing electrical infrastructure (e.g., electrical panel upgrades and equipment service infrastructure)
- Energy storage systems and renewable energy technologies
Ineligible Activities
- Lighting upgrades
- System conversion or full system replacements to natural gas or other fossil fuel-based systems
- Clean transportation, including electric vehicles or fleets and electric vehicle charging stations
- New construction and expansion projects
How to Apply
Proposals are due by August 14, 2025, by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
NYSERDA has created an online portal to submit proposals.
Prior to applying, prospective applicants are invited to attend an optional informational webinar
March 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Contact Us
Interested hospitals and representatives authorized to act on behalf of a hospital can email [email protected] with questions or to request a feedback session with NYSERDA staff.