The mission of the California Energy Commission (CEC) focuses on leading the state to a 100% clean energy future. As the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, the CEC is committed to reducing energy costs and environmental impacts of energy use while ensuring a safe, resilient, and reliable supply of energy.
The grant aims to support applied research projects focused on increasing California’s hydropower generation by improving precipitation enhancement (cloud seeding) methods. It endeavors to identify cost-effective, robust strategies to augment zero-carbon, fast-ramping hydropower resources, which are pivotal for the state’s electricity system. This includes providing various reserves and supporting transmission lines. With hydropower’s contribution to California's total energy mix fluctuating due to external factors like snowmelt runoff and rainfall, there’s an imperative to bolster water and hydropower resource availability amidst ongoing droughts and climate impacts. The grant promotes sustainability in water management practices and seeks to propel the state towards a more resilient, zero-carbon energy future. Additionally, there is a match funding requirement where applicants must provide at least 5% of the requested funds.