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.
Show me the Money: $54 million in Funding for State Energy Programs
From our colleague Christina Asavareungchai:
Today, the Department of Energy announced more than $54 million in Recovery Act funding to four states under its State Energy Program ("SEP"). Here is how the funds will be used in Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin:
Nevada will use its SEP funds to create a revolving loan fund, which will help finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Nevada will also perform energy efficiency retrofits in state buildings and schools, in addition to installing more energy-efficient street and traffic lights statewide. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Nevada will receive additional funds of over $17 million, for a total of almost $35 million.
Vermont will use its SEP funds to establish programs that advance energy efficiency across multiple sectors. Specifically, Rhode Island will support businesses and homes in their effort to reduce energy consumption, in addition to updating the state’s building energy codes. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Rhode Island will receive additional funds of nearly $12 million, for a total of almost $24 million.
Wisconsin will use its SEP funds to help improve the energy efficiency of existing industrial facilities, in addition to investing in businesses that manufacture clean energy technologies and components. The state will also offer loans to a broad audience. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Wisconsin will receive additional funds of nearly $28 million, for a total of over $55 million.
Rhode Island will use its SEP funds to offer financial assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the public, private, and residential sectors, in addition to facilitating the installation of thermal solar renewable energy systems in low-income households. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Vermont will receive additional funds of nearly $11 million, for a total of almost $22 million.
$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.
Prosperity Partnership Issues a Guide to Recovery Funds
The Prosperity Partnership, a coalition of over 300 government, business, labor and community organizations from King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in the state of Washington, has developed a beginner’s guide to the Recovery Act entitled: “A Basic Introduction to Energy-Related ARRA Funding Opportunities.” The goal of the guide is to help local (i.e. Washington state) entities identify and apply for ARRA funding opportunities, especially competitive grants or contracts. The focus of the guide is on energy-related funding opportunities, and contains useful information describing the process for submitting applications for federal and Washington state funds.
You can download the guide at http://prosperitypartnership.org/recovery/PP-ARRAGuide.ppt.
Show Me the Money: $304 Million Allocated to Three States for Weatherization Assistance Programs
On Friday, June 25, 2009, the Department of Energy ("DOE") announced more than $304 million in Recovery Act funding to three states for their weatherization assistance programs. The DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program will enable families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level – about $44,000 a year for a family of four – to save on energy costs by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes.
Here is a summary of how the funds will be used in Georgia, Illinois, and New York:
Georgia will use its funds to weatherize more than 13,600 homes over three years, with priority given to homes occupied by elderly residents and elderly residents with disabilities. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Georgia will receive $62 million in additional funds, for a total of almost $125 million.
Illinois will use its funds to weatherize nearly 27,000 homes over three years. The state will provide sub-grants to existing local agencies that have effectively provided energy audits and home weatherization in the past, followed by final inspections of weatherized homes. In addition, Illinois will expand its training and certification program to prepare its workforce for the weatherization assistance program. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Illinois will receive over $121 million in additional funds, for a total of more than $242.5 million.
New York will use its funds to weatherize more than 45,000 homes over three years. The state plans to coordinate its weatherization program with other state agencies to maximize benefits to low-income clients. The state will also encourage weatherization assistance to be rendered along with services provided by non-federal sources, like utilities and the Red Cross. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, New York will receive $197 million in additional funds, for a total of more than $394 million.
DOE Announces $154 million in Funding for State Energy Programs
Yesterday, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) announced more than $154 million in Recovery Act funding to four states for their State Energy Programs (“SEPs”). The funds were awarded to California, Missouri, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. The funding is to be provided in two stages to the four states with the second stage requiring successful performance at the first level. The funding is to be utilized in the areas of energy efficiency, workforce training, education and related programs.
California will use its SEP funds to finance a statewide retrofit program, provide clean energy to buildings and facilities, and develop a public education and outreach program focusing on the advantages of energy efficiency. In addition, California will use its SEP funds to further develop a green workforce in the areas of energy efficiency and clean energy. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, California will receive additional funds of more than $113 million, for a total of $226 million.
Missouri will use its SEP funds to increase energy efficiency through various measures, including the expansion of existing home efficiency programs, building energy codes, and training programs. Missouri will also examine its most energy-intensive industrial/manufacturing sectors for energy-saving opportunities and will increase energy efficiency through a program that may include energy audits, rebates, and low-interest loans. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Missouri will receive more than $28.6 million of additional funds, for a total of over $57 million.
New Hampshire will use its SEP funds to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy through building codes, competitive loans and grants, and financial and technical assistance to businesses and other institutions. New Hampshire will also support energy efficiency upgrades to colleges, universities, and state-owned buildings. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, New Hampshire will receive more than $12 million of additional funds, for a total of over $25.8 million.
North Carolina will use its SEP funds to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy through competitive grants, revolving loans, and education and training programs designed to encourage investment in energy-related technologies. The state will also establish a training program in its community colleges and universities to prepare workers for the green economy. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, North Carolina will receive $38 million of additional funds, for a total of $76 million.
