U.S. Department of Energy Releases New Request for Information on Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Deployment Office (GDO) in collaboration with the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) released a new Request for Information (RFI) on the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program under the Investment Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA). Under GRIP, DOE is proposing a combined implementation strategy for the following three IIJA sections in order to support the development of more comprehensive and regional resilience strategies:
- Section 40101(c): Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid/Hazard Hardening (Grid Resilience Grants)
- Section 40107: Deployment of Technologies to Enhance Grid Flexibility/Smart Grid Investment Matching Grant Program (Smart Grid Grants)
- Section 40103(b): Program Upgrading Our Electric Grid and Ensuring Reliability and Resiliency (Grid Innovation Program)
To help inform DOE’s implementation of the provisions referenced above, this RFI seeks input on the following categories:
1. DOE’s implementation strategy for the GRIP program, both overall and the individual topic areas.
2. DOE’s approach to Community Benefits including engagement, quality jobs, DEIA, and Justice40.
3. Build America, Buy America requirements.
Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically to GDORFI@hq.doe.gov no later than 5:00 pm. E) on October 14, 2022. For more information on the RFI, please click here.
DOE Notice of Intent to Support Clean Hydrogen and Grid Resilience Projects
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of intent (NOI) for a planned funding opportunity to support research, development (RD&D) of clean-hydrogen technologies and advancing grid resilience. The potential hydrogen-related funding will support DOE’s H2@Scale® initiative and its Hydrogen Shot goal of lowering clean hydrogen cost to $1 per 1 kilogram in one decade. Pertinent RD&D topics include advanced pathways for solar-based hydrogen fuel production; technologies for high-resolution hydrogen sensing; demonstrations of materials-based hydrogen storage and transport systems; and development of high-performance, durable, low-cost fuel cell components for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
The potential funding will also seek to establish a grid resilience university consortium among U.S., Canadian, and Mexican universities to foster information sharing on best practices and cross-border dependencies. This consortium will work collaboratively with tribes, states, regions, industry, utilities, and other stakeholders to support grid resilience planning and pilot projects that can serve as a model for others.
DOE envisions awarding multiple cooperative agreements with approximately two to four year periods of performance. Applicant teams are encouraged to include stakeholders within academia, industry, and national laboratories across multiple technical disciplines as well as to include representation from diverse entities such as minority-serving institutions or through linkages with Opportunity Zones.
EERE plans to issue the FOA on or about August 2022 via the EERE eXCHANGE website https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/. Learn more about this DOE notice of intent.
Request for Information on Energy Policy Act of 2005 Section 243 and 247 Hydroelectric Incentive Programs
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Deployment Office (GDO) is requesting information and feedback from stakeholders on issues related to the development of hydroelectric incentive programs authorized under sections 243 and 247 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as amended by sections 40332 and 40333 of the investment Infrastructure and Jobs Act. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback from industry, Tribes, government agencies, state and local coalitions, academia, research laboratories, labor unions, community-based organizations (CBOs),10 and other stakeholders on definitions, program structure, and selection related to the Department’s authority to provide capital improvement incentives for qualified hydroelectric facilities. DOE will hold an informational webinar to discuss general feedback from interested parties regarding the content of this RFI on Tuesday, August 9, 0222 from 1:30 to 3:30pm ET. Please register here for the webinar. The responses to the RFI must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59pm ET on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. For more information on the RFI, please click here.
Request for Information on U.S. Department of Energy’s Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, in collaboration with the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), and the DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), issued a Request for Information (RFI) to inform the implementation of the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land (also referred to as “Mine Land Program”), as part of the Investment Infrastructure and Jobs Act. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback from stakeholders, including the clean energy industry and its investors, the mining industry and landowners, federal and state regulatory agencies, state and local governments, labor unions, environmental justice organizations, Tribal officials, disadvantaged communities (DACs), community-based organizations, economic development organizations, conservation and environmental groups, and academic and other research institutions on issues related to the demonstration of clean energy projects on mine land. DOE is specifically interested in information on how demonstration programs can be implemented to stimulate private sector follow-on investments and deliver maximum benefits in terms of high-quality job creation, local and regional economic development, environmental justice and greenhouse gas emission reductions. Responses to this RFI must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on August 15, 2022. For more information on the RFI, please click here.
DOE Announces $70 million for a Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute for Industrial Decarbonization through Electrification of Process Heating
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a $70 million funding opportunity announcement (DE-FOA-0002737) to establish its 7th Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute. This new coalition of industry, academia, and government partners will aim to develop and scale technologies to electrify industrial process heating and reduce emissions across the industrial sector. The institute, along with a new federal advisory committee, will convene a diverse group of stakeholders to advance industrial decarbonization technologies and help set the United States on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050. The deadline for concept papers is August 9, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET and for full applications October 25, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET. The full FOA can be found here and one can register here for an informational webinar on July 14, 2022, 3:00 pm ET.
DOE Issues Notice of Intent to Fund Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) announced its intent to issue an “Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization FOA” to accelerate industrial decarbonization in major energy-intensive American industries. The Notice of Intent estimates that it will issue a funding opportunity announcement in August 2022 for multiple awards through cooperative agreements that will have periods of performance of 24 to 36 months. The planned topic areas are for advancing decarbonization in the following industries:
- Chemicals
- Iron and Steel
- Food and Beverage Processing
- Paper and Forest Products
- Cross-sector Decarbonization Technologies
The FOA will be issued via EERE Exchange where the formal NOI is now posted.
U.S. Department of Energy Issues Notice of Intent for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) outlining its intent to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs later this fall as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). DOE anticipates issuing the FOA around September/October 2022. The IIJA authorizes and appropriates $8 billion over five years from FY22 to FY26 for the development of Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs that aid achievement of the clean hydrogen production standard under the Energy Policy Act of 2005; demonstrate the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end use of clean hydrogen; and can be developed into a national clean hydrogen network to facilitate a clean hydrogen economy. The NOI is for informational purposes only; DOE is not seeking comments on the information in the NOI at this time.
DOE Announces Notice of Intent and Request for Information on the Transmission Facilitation Program
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Notice of Intent and Request for Information for input on the $2.5 billion Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP) as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The TFP is a revolving fund program that will facilitate development of new interregional transmission lines, upgrade existing transmission lines, and assist with the connection of microgrids through federal support. There are three financing tools that DOE is authorized to borrow the $2.5 billion through: loans from DOE, DOE participation in public-private partnerships, and capacity contracts with eligible projects where DOE would serve as an anchor customer. Once this Request for Information has been added to the Federal registry, stakeholders will have 30 days to submit comments.
DOE Issues Notice of Intent for Section 40101 Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid Formula Grants to States and Indian Tribes
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the $2.5 billion formula grants to states and tribes under the Section 40101 Grid Resilience Program as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. A DOE summary provides high level information. DOE is specifically seeking feedback on the formula grant program Notice of Intent, draft application and award requirements, and draft award formula allocation. The deadline to submit comments is June 2, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET. A public webinar will be held on May 5, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET to provide additional information. Registration required.
DOE Announces Request for Information on Long Duration Energy Storage for Everyone, Everywhere Initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Request for Information (RFI) for input on the $505 million Long Duration Energy Storage for Everyone, Everywhere Initiative created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The $505 million will be invested over four years to support long duration energy storage technologies and implement three demonstration programs. One of which, the pilot grant program, seeks to enable greater storage investment by State Energy Offices, Tribal Nations, and other eligible entities. The RFI specifically outlines the objectives of the pilot grant program, the requirements of potential projects, and questions that State Energy Offices and other entities interested in the program should consider. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 16, 2022.
Department of Energy Notice of Intent: Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy released this Notice of Intent (No. DE-FOA-0002677) to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement. DOE anticipates making $2.8 billion available to fund research and development within electric vehicle battery processing, increase domestic battery manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs. The upcoming FOA is expected to cover five areas of interest, found in the full announcement.
Department of Energy Notice of Intent: Electric Drive Vehicle Battery Recycling and Second Life Applications
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy released this Notice of Intent (No. DE-FOA-0002679) to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement. DOE anticipates making $60 million available to fund research, development, and demonstration projects in two areas. First, Recycling Processing and Reintegration into the Battery Supply Chain. Second, Second Use Battery Scale Up and Demonstration.
DOE Releases Request for Information (RFI) for Rare Earth Element Demonstration Facility
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) released a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain public input in support of a DOE plan to design, construct, and build-out a demonstration facility enabling domestic rare earth element (REE) and critical mineral (CM) supply chains for commercial commodities and national defense industries as well as for clean energy technologies. The RFI seeks to solicit feedback from industry members, investors, developers, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, potentially impacted communities, customers, and other stakeholders on a REE demonstration facility and its associated location(s) all while considering environmental justice, energy transition, Tribes, and other impacted communities. The deadline to respond to the RFI is March 31, 2022, at 8pm ET.
U.S. Department of Energy Notice of Intent (NOI) “Building a Better Grid”
The NOI describes pending program elements and associated funding for the various electric-grid provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
DOE Releases two Requests for Information on Hydrogen
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released two Requests for Information (RFI) regarding the implementation of the hydrogen provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
The first RFI on the Hydrogen Hubs Implementation Strategy seeks input on the solicitation process and structure of a DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to fund regional clean hydrogen hubs. Specifically, the RFI seeks information on the following items:
- Regional Clean Hydrogen Provisions and Requirements
- Solicitation Process, FOA Structure, and Implementation Strategy
- Equity, Environmental, and Energy Justice Priorities
- Market Adoption and Sustainability of the Hubs
Responses are due March 21, 2022 (extended deadline), by 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
The second RFI on Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing, Recycling, and Electrolysis seeks input on priority areas that will advance domestic manufacturing and recycling of clean hydrogen technologies, including fuel cells, storage equipment, and other hydrogen related components; and on priority areas that will advance electrolyzer technologies for affordable clean hydrogen production. Responses to this RFI are due March 29, 2022, by 5pm EST.
To learn more about DOE’s clean hydrogen programs and the RFIs, please register for DOE’s next H2IQ Hour on February 24, 2022 at 12pm EST.
DOE Releases Notice of Intent and Request for Information on Civil Nuclear Credit Program
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established the Civil Nuclear Credit Program (CNC). The CNC will allow owners or operators of commercial U.S. reactors to apply for certification and competitively bid on credits to help support their continued operations. DOE’s Request for Information (RFI) and Notice of Intent (NOI) seeks input on the structure and execution of the CNC Program, including the certification process and eligibility criteria, invitations to submit bids for credits, and the allocation of credits. Responses to the NOI and RFI addressing general program design and bid process are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on March 17, 2022. Substantive responses relating specifically to the certification process should be submitted to DOE by 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on March 8, 2022, to ensure that this feedback can be used to meet the Department's expedited schedule.