U.S. DOE Releases Funding Opportunity Announcement for Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Development
Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (the "DOE") released the long-awaited Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity Announcement ("FOA") titled "Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Readiness Advancement Initiative." Federal funding for this initiative for fiscal year 2010 is expected to be up to $15.36 million, with the possibility of continued funding at, or near, that level for up to an additional two years. (Because all federal funding is subject to annual appropriations, these figures should be treated as estimates.)
The DOE has recognized that marine hydrokinetic ("MHK") technologies can provide renewable, environmentally responsible, and predictable baseload electricity to load centers along the nation's coastlines. And to help accelerate the development and deployment of these technologies, the DOE intends to advance the technological and operational readiness of MHK systems and components across a range of technology readiness levels ("TRLs") through this Funding Opportunity Announcement.
Although TRLs have been used for years by both NASA and the Department of Defense to develop advanced, mission-critical systems, this is the first time TRLs have been used by the DOE to assess the technological readiness of new renewable energy technologies. Recognizing that MHK devices and components are still largely in the early stages of research and development, the DOE has adopted a simplified TRL structure for purposes of this Funding Opportunity Announcement. The DOE is seeking applications in two topic areas: (1) MHK Technologies Concept Development (TRLs 1-3) and (2) MHK Technology Readiness Level Advancement (TRLs 4-9).
Funding will be made available in each topic area for both "systems" and "components." The DOE organized and grouped the TRLs into four discrete funding categories:
- Discovery / Concept Definition / Early Stage Development, Design and Engineering (TRL 1-3);
- Proof of Concept (TRL 4);
- System Integration and Technology Laboratory Demonstration (TRL 5/6); and
- Open Water System Testing, Demonstration, and Operation (TRL 7/8).
Each category has prescribed funding levels and project performance periods. A brief summary of the expected number of awards in each topic area and the associated expected federal funding is included below. For a complete funding breakdown for systems and components, see the Funding Opportunity Announcement.
| Topic Area | Period of Performance | Expected Number of Awards | Total Estimated Federal Funding | Estimated FY 2010 Federal Funding |
|
MHK Technologies Concept Development (TRLs 1-3) |
12 months |
8 (4 systems, 4 components) |
$1.6M | $1.6M |
|
MHK Technology Readiness Level Advancement (TRLs 4-9) |
18-36 months (see FOA) |
18 (11 systems, 7 components) |
$36.72M | $13.76M |
Applications are due to DOE by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 7, 2010.
REMINDER: Upcoming DOE Funding for Marine Hydrokinetics
On March 11, 2010, I posted a blog about the U.S. Department of Energy's (the "DOE") upcoming Funding Opportunity Announcement ("FOA") for hydrokinetic technology development. The DOE issued a Notice of Intent announcing the FOA earlier that week. To access the Notice of Intent, click here, and enter "hydrokinetic" in the search field.
The DOE was expected to issue the FOA by March 31, 2010. This blog is intended as a reminder that all interested parties should make sure they have followed the necessary steps to apply or submit questions regarding the FOA. For official procedures, see the Notice of Intent.
To respond to FOAs, either as an applicant to to submit questions, parties must first be registered with FedConnect. In order to register for FedConnect, a party must:
- Have a Duns and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (a "DUNS Number"). If you do not know your company's DUNS Number or if your company does not have one, you can search for it or request one here; and
- Be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (the "CCR"). If you are not currently registered for the CCR, you can register at the CCR website.
If you are the first person to register in your company for FedConnect, you will need your company's CCR MPIN. If your company is already registered with the CCR, then you can find out who has your CCR MPIN by going to the CCR website and clicking "Search CCR." A company's CCR must be updated annually. To update your company's CCR, visit the CCR renewal website.
NOTE: CCR and FedConnect registration can take at least 21 days to complete. Since the DOE is expecting a quick turnaround on the FOA once it is released, interested parties should begin the registration process as soon as possible.
Show me the Money: Webinar Explaining the Wind Turbine Drivetrain FOA
About a month ago we issued an alert regarding a $45 million funding opportunity announcement ("FOA") for the development of a wind turbine drivetrain testing facility (alert available here).
Today, the Department of Energy ("DOE") announced that they are hosting a webinar regarding this FOA. The webinar will be held July 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. Through this webinar, DOE will provide a brief overview of the FOA and will participate in a question and answer period. However, all questions must be submitted in advance (by July 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern) to windDynamometer@go.doe.gov
To attend this webinar, register in advance by clicking here.
$22 Million for Community Renewable Energy
The Department of Energy (DOE) announced this week that up to $22 million from the Recovery Act would be allotted to up to 4 eligible communities nationwide in order to encourage utility-scale renewable energy systems that provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy supplies for their communities, while creating jobs and new economic development opportunities. The projects will demonstrate how multiple renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal systems, can be deployed at scale to supply clean energy to communities. Eligible applicants are local and state governments, Indian Tribes and Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations or Groups.
Successful applicants will be awarded financial assistance to support the implementation of an integrated renewable energy deployment plan for a community, and the construction of renewable energy systems. DOE expects each project to also have substantial private sector investment in addition to the funds from DOE. Completed applications are due September 3, 2009 and the DOE will select awardees by the end of November 2009.
Show me the Money: $12.9 million available for Geologic Sequestration Training and Research
The Department of Energy ("DOE") has released $12.93 million to fund geologic sequestration training and research. $7.93 million is available for awards to all universities, colleges, and college-affiliated research institutes and $5 million is available for awards to historically black colleges and universities or other minority institutes listed on the Office of Civil Rights's accredited post secondary minorities institution list.
Individual awards will be made across five areas of interest:
- Simulation and Risk Assessment
- Monitoring, Verification, and Accounting
- Well Completion, stimulation, and Integrity
- Capture and Transport- including pipeline transport and pre-combustion capture
- Post-Combustion capture- including oxy-combustion capture
DOE anticipates awarding 42 awards ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 to fund research projects involving field projects for hands-on training opportunities.
Show me the Money: Mandatory Registrations to be Eligible for Stimulus Funding
In general, parties that are considering applying for Stimulus Act funding for their project must preregister at the following websites:
- Applicants must obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System number (DUNS)
DUNS website: http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/ - Applicants must register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
CCR website: http://www.ccr.gov/ - Applicants must register with FedConnect to submit their application.
FedConnect website: www.fedconnect.net
Numerous parties have reported that these websites may take several days to process registration requests. As such, I recommend that you register immediately if you are considering federal funding as a component of your project.
If you have trouble completing your registration in time for an application deadline, please use the following phone numbers to inquire about your registration status:
- DUNS Customer Assistance: 1-800-234-3867
- CCR Assistance Center: 1-888-227-2423
- FedConnect Support: 1-800-899-6665
$480 Million Available for Integrated Biorefinery Projects
Last week DOE released a new funding opportunity announcement for up to $480 million for pilot-scale and demonstration-scale integrated biorefinery projects. An integrated biorefinery uses an “acceptable feedstock” to produce a biofuel or bioproduct as the “primary product.” Acceptable feedstocks include:
- Algae
- Certain woody biomass
- Renewable plant materials so long as it is not generally intended for use as food
- Crop reside (cobs, stover, etc.)
- Yard and food waste
- Certain post-sorted MSW
The projects must be either pilot-scale (processing at least one dry tonne of feedstock per day) or demonstration-scale (processing at least 50 dry tonnes of feedstock per day).
The maximum award for a pilot-scale project is $25 million and the maximum award for a demonstration-scale project is $50 million. Generally, the cost share requirements from non-Federal sources are 20% for pilot-scale projects and 50% for demonstration-scale projects.
Applications are due June 30, 2009. Although not required, DOE suggests all prospective applicants submit a notice of intent to apply, which can be submitted through May 29, 2009.
Visit www.grants.gov or www.fedconnect.net for more information on this opportunity.
