Dominion Virginia Power has awarded Virginia State University a two-year, $150,000 grant for a “Green Roof Initiative” that combines green roof and alternative energy technologies in novel ways to improve both the energy efficiency of buildings and the sustainable use of water for irrigation.

The grant is part of Dominion Virginia Power’s selection of several Virginia universities to receive renewable energy research and development funding totaling $1.4 million as part of the company’s new R&D Partnership Program. The development and funding of these projects was prompted by successful legislation proposed by the Governor Bob McDonnell last session that provides utilities credit for investments toward meeting their statutory RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) goals.

Dominion sought proposals from Virginia colleges and universities, asking them to include a requested funding amount and proposed project term of one to three years.

Dominion and each university collaborated on the funding needs and project schedule. The funding needs take into consideration the proposed costs of resources required (equipment, materials, supplies, and professor/graduate student time, etc.) to carry out each R&D project.