The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund’s DeltaClimeVT energy business accelerator announces four pilot projects totaling $110,000 to accelerate Vermont’s clean energy transition.
The selected pilots represent collaborations between Vermont utilities and U.S.-based alumni companies of DeltaClimeVT. Four projects were chosen for their potential to improve grid reliability and resilience as well as expand equitable access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. These pilots will include rigorous data capture and reporting requirements, enabling utilities to evaluate real-world performance and scalability.
“Our utility partners are eager to see the results of each one of these pilots for Vermonters,” said Kurt Ericksen, DeltaClimeVT program manager at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF). “This initiative demonstrates the pragmatic assessment of new technologies, a platform for information sharing between the utilities and a potential pathway for adoption across Vermont if proven successful.”
The Four DeltaClimeVT Alumni Pilot Projects
VPPSA, Northfield Electric Department and Noteworthy AI – This pilot will test Noteworthy AI’s camera and artificial intelligence technology in real-world utility operations to evaluate its ability to improve vegetation management and asset inventory processes. The technology will be deployed on fleet vehicles over the course of the pilot to collect imagery and data across Northfield Electric Department’s system and a subset of Burlington Electric Department poles. The project will assess how effectively the technology can identify vegetation risks and automate asset data collection, with the goal of informing potential applications to improve grid reliability, resilience and operational efficiency.
Vermont Electric Cooperative and Bidirectional Energy – This pilot will develop and test a residential Vehicle-to-Grid program model in Vermont, exploring how electric vehicles can function as distributed energy storage assets. Bidirectional Energy will deploy at least two bidirectional EV chargers in VEC’s service territory, following initial program design, integration and interoperability testing. The pilot will assess performance, customer experience and the potential to reduce peak demand, enhance grid resilience and provide economic benefits to participants, with the goal of informing a scalable model for broader utility adoption.
Green Mountain Power and Revvit – Expanding GMP’s extensive programs to make it easy to drive electric, this targeted pilot will evaluate Revvit’s Level 1 charging equipment to see if it is a useful and cost-effective way to expand access to EV charging for people who rent or live in multi-unit homes. Finding ways to support more access to EV driving will help drive down costs for all GMP customers and strengthen the grid.
Burlington Electric Department and EVmatch – Building on previous pilot work, this project will deploy up to five EV chargers and 10 charging ports at rental, condo and multi-family properties in Burlington to test approaches to expanding EV charging access in these settings. The pilot will evaluate EVmatch’s software platform for managing charging access and payments, while also exploring demand response capabilities and off-peak rate structures to assess potential benefits for residents and overall grid demand.
DeltaClimeVT Energy 2026 Awards & Celebration
The tenth business accelerator cohort is currently underway and will conclude with a final in‑person sprint next week. Four startup and seed‑stage ventures offering solutions to enhance grid resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower electricity costs for Vermont ratepayers are competing for a $25,000 award. The winner will be announced June 11 at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington.
The event will feature presentations from this year’s cohort companies on the innovative solutions they are advancing to address Vermont’s energy challenges. Organizers will also announce the peer‑selected award, welcome guest speakers and invite DeltaClimeVT alumni to reflect on their experiences and the program’s impact over the past decade. Click to learn more and RSVP.
About DeltaClimeVT Energy Business Accelerator
The DeltaClimeVT business accelerator is a Vermont-based program serving startup and seed-stage ventures focusing on energy innovation in the energy sector. The program provides an intense accelerated learning and business development process designed to test assumptions, expose and remediate business vulnerabilities, prepare for significant investment, and provide a platform for rapid scaling. As a proven leader in sustainability, Vermont offers participants access to entrepreneurial energy experts throughout the program. The program is managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF).
About Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) is a nonprofit organization committed to nurturing sustainable economic development to benefit Vermont’s people, communities, and environment. Through business assistance, network development, strategic planning, and supply chain coordination, VSJF supports innovation and resilience in agriculture and food systems, forest and fiber products, renewable energy, environmental technology, and waste management. VSJF was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1995 to partner with state government, private sector businesses, and nonprofits to catalyze systems-level change and build a thriving, equitable, and ecologically sound future for Vermont.