Energy Grants

This is a Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0003348; titled Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund: Resilient Communities Program. This Notice of Intent is for informational purposes only and DOE is not seeking comments on the information contained in the notice. If issued, DOE will be seeking applications for awards under the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund for activities to improve the resilience of the Puerto Rican electric grid, including renewable energy and storage solutions for vulnerable households and communities. The Notice can be downloaded at https://infrastructure-eXCHANGE.energy.gov.

To realize a clean, decarbonized economy, we must drive innovation to transform resources, materials, and manufacturing for energy applications. The U.S. ramp up of production of technologies that are needed for this energy transition will require new materials, new manufacturing processes, and new circular materials flows. The modernization of manufacturing can help bring these innovations on-line at the needed scale and quality faster. Smart manufacturing provides a systemic approach for this modernization that holds great promise to significantly improve productivity, efficiency, safety, security, and sustainability of U.S. manufacturing and energy systems. Smart manufacturing refers to the suite of platform technologies that directly support the digital transformation of the manufacturing enterprise across the entire production lifecycle, which includes design, process, production, supply network, and enterprise levels. Platform technologies are manufacturing technologies that can be applied to manufacture multiple products. This FOA applies smart manufacturing across four topic areas: Smart Manufacturing for a Circular Economy Smart Manufacturing of Tooling and Equipment for Sustainable Transportation Smart Manufacturing for High Performance Materials Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Competitive U.S. Mining.

This funding opportunity is designed for researchers and organizations developing innovative technologies to detect, characterize, and permanently seal undocumented orphaned oil and gas wells, aiming to reduce methane emissions and environmental impacts.

n recent years, California has experienced increased electrical system outages caused by climate-related events such as increased wildfires, heat waves, and storms, or through public safety power shutoffs (PSPS). These events, as well as aging infrastructure, threaten grid reliability, public health and safety, economic prosperity, communities, and ecosystems. They also pose disproportionate consequences for the most vulnerable populations in both rural and urban areas. The intent of this solicitation is to invest in projects that increase the electric reliability and resiliency of communities in California by reducing outage frequency, duration, magnitude, and associated community impacts, while bolstering California’s workforce and promoting equity. The CERRI Program is designed to prioritize projects that will generate the greatest community benefit by reducing the likelihood and consequences of electrical system outages. As such, projects that are close to shovel-ready, have initiated the environmental review process, or leverage otherwise stranded assets or existing infrastructure will be scored favorably based on criteria listed in Section IV.F. The objectives are oriented around four main themes outlined below. These themes are not listed in rank order. Energy reliability and resilience: Reduce the frequency, duration, and magnitude of power outages and strengthen communities’ ability to function during power outages by providing day-to-day and emergency services for its constituents.Community Benefits: Ensure that the benefits of clean, safe, affordable, and reliable energy are shared by all, particularly communities with critical energy reliability and resilience needs.Advancement of Energy and Climate Goals: Support California’s energy modernization and climate goals.Workforce Development and Labor: Create high-quality jobs with strong labor standards and protections that attract and train a skilled workforce for lasting careers in the clean energy industry.

This grant aims to fund innovative projects that increase demand flexibility in the Industrial, Agricultural, and Water (IAW) sectors, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing grid stability, and developing new technologies and strategies for load shifting, in line with California's goal of achieving a 7,000 MW load shift by 2030.

This grant provides funding for research and demonstration projects that enhance energy storage technologies to improve grid reliability and support California's transition to clean energy.

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund demonstrations of community-based virtual power plant (VPP) approaches and demonstrations of innovative energy management systems (EMS) in commercial buildings with the goal of increasing demand flexibility. Demand flexibility refers to comprehensive programs and strategies that align electricity consumption with dynamic grid conditions. These can include both event-based demand response (DR) and load shifting strategies. Accelerating demand flexibility is a key strategy for California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the state’s climate and clean energy goals reliably and affordably.    VPPs are portfolios of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as smart thermostats, rooftop solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and smart water heaters that are actively controlled by software to benefit the power system, consumers, and the environment. While these resources have the potential to meet grid needs as reliably as conventional alternatives such as gas-fired generators, their advantages extend further, offering greater affordability and substantial decarbonization benefits.[3] However, research and development of both technologies and business models is needed to fully capitalize on and understand VPPs’ potential, especially the systems that feature predictive controls and require minimal consumer engagement. The examples of predictive controls relevant to this research include, but are not limited to, the use of artificial intelligence or model predictive controls for EV load shifting or building pre-cooling applications.   Projects will be funded in two groups. Group 1: Virtual Power Plants: Demonstrations that showcase community-based demand flexibility programs as a long-term (10 or more years) grid resource. Project teams must partner with local governments or non-profits to facilitate customer participation and smart device installations. Projects must evaluate the benefits and cost-effectiveness of community-based VPP approaches that use state-of-the-art DER management software (DERMS).   ·       Group 2: Commercial Building Energy Management in Low-Income or Disadvantaged Communities: Demonstrations of innovative EMS in commercial buildings focused on specific characteristics such as interoperability and adherence to open-source standards. Demonstrations require participation in electric investor-owned utility (IOU) or third-party DR programs and partnerships with device and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These projects must showcase the latest advancements in energy management in the commercial sector and ensure technology adaptability, efficiency, and collaboration within the broader energy landscape.       

This project will develop technical and economic assessments of storing and retrieving hydrogen blends and/or pure hydrogen as well as California-specific decision-making tools, risk mitigation strategies, market and policy recommendations, and community engagement approaches related to those facilities.

The Recipients will implement the program in their awarded region to install energy-efficient electric appliances, energy efficiency measures, and related upgrades directly to low-income households living in single-family, multifamily, and manufactured homes in underresourced communities. Applications are required to (1) include community-based organizations (CBOs) for culturally appropriate outreach, education, and support for participating households and communities, and (2) include expertise in decarbonization of single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and manufactured housing.

DE-FOA-0003323: Water Power Innovation Network AMENDMENT 000003: The purpose of this modification is to: Update the Expected Date for EERE Selection Notifications and Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations. Add clarification to the down-select deliverable, Updated Budget, SOPO, and Project Schedule. Add clear requirements to the Content for the Full Application regarding what information to include for Budget Period 1 versus Budget Period 2. This includes the following changes: The Technical Volume Workplan should include goals, objectives, and anticipated outcomes for each budget period. The Technical Volume Workplan should include a detailed Workplan summary for Budget Period 1 and a preliminary high-level overview for Budget Period 2 of activities to be conducted over Budget Period 2. The Technical Volume Workplan should describe at least one end of project Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART) goal for each budget period. The Technical Volume Workplan should include a summary of appropriate milestones throughout each budget period. For Budget Period 2 milestones, however, it is sufficient to list approximate, reasonable estimates of what the milestones will be. It is understood that Budget Period 2 activities will be progressively developed over the course of Budget Period 1 and as such precise information on Budget Period 2 activities may not be available during the application process. Project applications will not be penalized for having a lower level of detail of Budget Period 2 activities during the application process. Rather, Budget Period 2 activities will be comprehensively evaluated during the down-select process at the end of Budget Period 1. The Technical Volume Workplan should include a detailed schedule for Budget Period 1 and a preliminary high-level/approximate schedule for Budget Period 2. As with the work plan, it is expected that the Budget Period 2 schedule will be developed over the course of Budget Period 1. Project applications will not be penalized for providing a lower level of detail during the application process. Rather, Budget Period 2 schedules will be comprehensively evaluated during the down-select process at the end of Budget Period 1. An updated associated SOPO template is provided. Add clarification to the Budget Justification Workbook for what to include for Budget Period 1 versus Budget Period 2. Update the Technical Review Criteria, Criterion 3: Workplan, to be consistent with the updates to the Technical Volume and associated SOPO. AMENDMENT 000002: The purpose of this modification is to provide clarity to the following areas and update the Statement of Project Objectives template: Added language that clarifies the proposed programming and services will be further developed during Budget Period 1. Added language that applicants proposed programs should provide incubation, acceleration, and commercialization support to entrepreneurs and small businesses in water power. Added language to the Content and Form of the Concept Paper and Full Application that clarifies the proposed program could be a new water power incubator or accelerator program, or could be an existing incubator or accelerator program that will be expanded upon in water power. Technical Volume Work Plan to focus on Budget Period 1. An associated SOPO template is provided. The Down-Select deliverable, Updated Budget, SOPO, and Project Schedule, should be updated to include information for Budget Period 2. AMENDMENT 000001: The purpose of this modification is to adjust the timeline for this FOA, which includes changes to the following dates: Submission Deadline for Concept Papers Submission Deadline for Full Applications Expected Date for EERE Selection Notifications Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations The U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) is issuing this $4.8 million funding opportunity announcement (FOA) Water Power Innovation Network to support business creation, entrepreneurship, and regional innovation for water power systems and solutions. WPTO enables research, development, and testing of emerging technologies to advance marine energy as well as next-generation hydropower and pumped storage systems for a flexible, reliable grid. Through this FOA, WPTO seeks to fund new and/or expanded incubator or accelerator programs that enable entrepreneurship and accelerate water power innovation, business creation, and growth in communities and regions throughout the United States. Through this FOA, new and/or expanded incubators and accelerators in water power will be able to collaborate with one another and build a stronger water power innovation network in support of accelerating water power technologies to market. Topic Area 1: Water Power Incubation and Acceleration. This topic area will fund programs that accelerate the commercialization and adoption of water power systems and solutions through incubation and acceleration programming and services that support entrepreneurs and small businesses in marine energy and/or hydropower. Questions regarding the FOA must be submitted to [email protected]. To view the entire FOA document, visit the EERE Exchange Website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.

This grant provides funding to military bases and facilities to install additional electric vehicle chargers for government and authorized private vehicles, promoting the use of zero-emission vehicles.

GTOs mission is to increase geothermal energy deployment through research, development, and demonstration (RD) of innovative technologies that enhance exploration and production. Its vision is a vibrant domestic geothermal sector that contributes to a carbon-pollution free electric sector by 2035 and a net-zero emission economy by 2050 while providing economic opportunities and environmental benefits for all Americans. GTO supports geothermal energy RD activities in six research areas aimed at increased access, reduced costs and improved economics, and improved education and outreach about geothermal resources. DOEs 2023 Enhanced Geothermal ShotTM analysis concludes that with aggressive technology improvements in areas relevant to enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), geothermal electricity generation could provide 90 GWe of firm, flexible power to the U.S. electric grid by 2050. Building a clean and equitable energy economy and addressing the climate crisis is a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration. This FOA will advance the Biden-Harris Administrations goals to achieve carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and to deliver an equitable, clean energy future, and put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by no later than 2050 to the benefit of all Americans. DOE is committed to pushing the frontiers of science and engineering, catalyzing clean energy jobs through research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD), and ensuring environmental justice and inclusion of underserved communities. Geothermal power offers a unique value proposition to support the United States target of 100% carbon-pollution-free electricity by 2035 and a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Traditionally, geothermal power is well understood as a clean, firm generation resource with a high capacity factor, 24/7 availability, and minimal land use footprint. Moreover, the advent of flexible geothermal operations and geothermal power coupled with storage technologies broadens the breadth of services that geothermal power could provide to a decarbonizing grid. This FOA supports the administration goals laid out above by catalyzing regional grid modeling studies that quantify the potential contribution of geothermal power in supporting an equitable4 transition to a future decarbonized grid and economy. The research and development (R) activities to be funded under this FOA will support the government-wide approach to the climate crisis by driving innovation that can lead to the deployment of clean energy technologies, which are critical for climate protection. Specifically, this FOA will quantify the value of geothermal power to a decarbonized grid.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) announced the Fiscal Year 2024 Solar Energy Supply Chain Incubator funding opportunity (FOA), which will provide up to $50.5 million for research, development, and demonstration (RD) projects that de-risk solar hardware, manufacturing processes, and software products across a wide range of solar technology areas. The research and development (R) and demonstration (RD) activities to be funded under this FOA will support the government-wide approach to the climate crisis by driving the innovation that can lead to the deployment of clean energy technologies, which are critical for climate protection. Specifically, this FOA will support the DOE decarbonization goals by advancing innovative solar hardware, software, and manufacturing processes across a broad range of technology readiness levels, from laboratory-scale to pilot-scale testing and prototype demonstration. Technologies of interest include photovoltaics (PV), systems integration, and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) technologies, as well as those that connect solar with storage or electric vehicles and dual-use PV applications like agrivoltaics and vehicle-integrated PV. SETO encourages for-profit applicants to team with diverse institutions including academic institutions, non-profits, state and local governments, and Tribal governments. The FOA also seeks projects that provide outreach, education, or technology development for software that delivers an automated permit review and approval process for rooftop solar PV with or without energy storage. Both for-profit and non-profit entities are eligible to apply under this topic. SETO expects to make between 11 and 23 awards ranging from $1 million to $6 million under this FOA. Learn more about past Incubator funding program awardees. Prior to submitting a full application for this opportunity, a mandatory concept paper is due July 19 at 5 p.m. ET. Applicants can also access free Application Education Services through the American-Made Network and can engage with Power Connectors.

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources announces an opportunity for organizations to submit applications to carry out the by implementing the Advancing Women in Clean Energy and Mining (AWCEM), a professional leadership and development program for women working in the clean energy and critical mineral mining sectors in Latin America.

This solicitation presents an opportunity to shift towards on-site clean, dispatchable generation technologies, addressing the evolving generation mix and ensuring an ample supply of resources to meet the demands of critical facilities during the net peak period while maintaining system reliability. These technologies are well-suited to ensure a reliable and resilient energy supply for critical infrastructure on-site, including communications, healthcare, government offices, and many more, to provide on-demand load and peak matching. As such, this solicitation will focus on advancing emerging clean, dispatchable generation technologies, such as fuel cells or linear generators, using 100 percent renewable fuels, especially for critical sectors like industrial and commercial that have operational needs during peak hours. The projects from this solicitation will be deployed in these critical sectors and will reduce their demand on the grid, thereby decreasing the reliance from fossil-gas power plants during times of high electricity demand. Expected outcomes include on-site pilot-scale deployment of cost-effective and highly efficient clean, dispatchable generation technologies that will support energy demand of critical facilities and reduce the strain from the state’s electric grid while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and criteria pollutants by curbing fossil-based generation. Ultimately, these projects will contribute to supporting the state's decarbonization goals, enhancing the reliability and strengthening the resilience of the state’s electric grid by increasing the availability of on-site clean, dispatchable generation technologies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to establish networks that help clean energy contractors and nonprofits in economically challenged areas of Illinois, including Waukegan, Champaign, Danville, Carbondale, East St. Louis, and Alton.

Modification 000004 is to extend the Full Application due date for Topic Area 2 only. No other changes have been made. Please see the FOA for a full description of the modification. The Grid Deployment Office, in conjunction with the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, is issuing this FOA. Awards made under this FOA will be funded, in whole or in part, with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL. The activities to be funded under this FOA support three BIL sections including Section 40101(c): Grid Resilience Grants, Section 40107: Smart Grid Grants, and Section 40103(b): Grid Innovation Program. Together DOE refers to these programs as the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships or GRIP program.

The Office of Nuclear Energys (NE) mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs. NE has identified the following goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, help realize the potential of advanced technology, and leverage the unique role of the government in spurring innovation: Keep existing U.S. nuclear reactors operating. Deploy new nuclear reactors. Secure and sustain our nuclear fuel cycle. Expand international nuclear energy cooperation. Collectively, all NE-sponsored activities support the Departments priorities to combat the climate crisis, create clean energy jobs with the free and fair chance to join a union and bargain collectively, and promote equity and environmental justice by delivering innovative clean energy technologies for nuclear energy systems. The development of nuclear energy-related infrastructure and basic capabilities in the research community is necessary to promote Research and Development (R) that supports nuclear science and engineering (NS), NEs mission, and the nations nuclear energy challenges. Accordingly, the Department of Energy (DOE) intends to facilitate the education and training of nuclear scientists, engineers, and policymakers through graduate and undergraduate study, two-year programs, and R that is relevant to the Department and the U.S. nuclear energy industry in general.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for U.S. universities, national laboratories, and industry to conduct innovative research in nuclear energy, with a focus on advancing technology and promoting collaboration while benefiting disadvantaged communities.

The "Fiscal Year 2025 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research" grant aims to fund innovative research and development projects that enhance nuclear energy technology, with the goal of improving U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs, maintaining current nuclear reactors, deploying new ones, securing our nuclear fuel cycle, and expanding international cooperation in the nuclear energy sector.