In March 2023, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) announced a request for proposals for their annual Zero Energy for the Ocean State (ZEOS) program. In 2023, the ZEOS program will be offering grants of up to $250,000 for individual zero energy home design and construction projects targeting low- and median-income residents in Rhode Island. Zero energy homes are defined as an energy efficient building where the total amount of energy used annually is less than or equal to the amount of renewable energy generated onsite. Since its inception in 2019, the ZEOS program has supported the development of 186 units of net zero housing, including the Sheridan Small Homes pilot project, a development of five Passive House certified small homes, and Tiverton’s Bourne Mill III, a new construction project of 59 multifamily units in an all-electric building adherent to Passive House standards. The 2023 program is funded through grants from Rhode Island Housing, a statewide housing nonprofit; proceeds from Rhode Island’s participation in the Renewable Greenhouse Gas Initiative; and available utility incentives. The program seeks project proposals that offer replicable and innovative net-zero energy technology solutions for homes, including onsite solar, air-source heat pumps, and demand responsive energy management systems. A formal press release on the 2023 program year can be found here.