Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000772
Apply for DE FOA 0000772
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CSP Heat Integration for Baseload Renewable Energy Development FOA" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087 Renewable Energy Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 26, 2013 and posted on Dec 17, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 9, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $20,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Independent school districts Small businesses State governments Individuals Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments City or township governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Special district governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) For profit organizations other than small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The CSP Heat Integration for Baseload Renewable Energy Development FOA (DE-FOA-0000772) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunity administered through the Golden Field Office that aims to push concentrating solar power (CSP) beyond the traditional model of stand-alone, utility-scale solar-only plants. The core idea is to prove that CSP can be integrated as a heat source within hybrid energy systems (particularly alongside existing or planned fossil plants) in a way that supports more dependable, grid-friendly power production. DOE is looking for projects that can generate credible, real-world performance data showing how these hybrid CSP systems behave over time and how their output profile can fit utility and grid operator needs.
A key target in the FOA is cost competitiveness. Projects are expected to validate a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from solar energy of 10 cents per kWh or less (in real 2013 dollars), without relying on subsidies. In other words, DOE wants teams to demonstrate that solar thermal energy, when integrated smartly into a broader generation system, can deliver solar-derived electricity at a price point comparable to intermediate generation resources. Just as important as the cost claim is the requirement to produce performance and operational data that regulators, utilities, and system operators would consider bankable when evaluating whether CSP hybridization should be incorporated into existing plants or future designs.
This particular notice is an amendment to the original FOA and mainly does three things. First, it extends the full application deadline to April 9, 2013 at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (the original closing date was March 19, 2013). Second, it adds clarifying language on cost sharing, including both the required cost-share percentage and strict rules about what parts of a hybrid system can be counted toward DOE-funded costs and matching costs. Third, it adds instructions for requesting waivers related to foreign entities and the requirement that project work be performed in the United States. Aside from these changes, the rest of the FOA is stated to remain unchanged.
The cost share requirement is unusually large and is central to this amendment. Awardees must provide at least 75 percent of the total allowable project cost from non-federal sources (unless a specific legal allowance applies). The FOA ties this to DOE assistance regulations (including provisions under 10 CFR Part 600 for different organization types). Applicants are expected to demonstrate, in their applications, that they have firm commitments and the ability to supply at least the minimum 75 percent cost share. Practically, that means applicants need strong financing plans and documented partner contributions, since DOE is only covering up to 25 percent of allowable costs.
The amendment also narrows what counts as allowable costs for both DOE funds and the recipient match by drawing a clear boundary inside a hybrid plant. DOE funding and the associated cost share can only be used for the portions of the hybrid system that are necessary exclusively to collect, transfer, or store solar energy. The FOA explicitly excludes the fossil power generation side from eligibility: activities and facilities necessary for fossil generation cannot be paid for with DOE funds and cannot be counted toward the required cost share. It also states that turbine costs and other power-generation machinery costs are not allowable, reinforcing that DOE is funding the solar-thermal integration pieces rather than the conventional generation equipment.
In terms of project phase and spending categories, the FOA limits funding to capital-type activities and specific reporting. Funds can be used for new equipment, modifications to existing equipment, construction and commissioning of that new or modified equipment, and reporting of qualifying performance data. Construction and commissioning are defined as activities performed up through performance and acceptance testing that mark the start of operations. Routine operation and maintenance expenses do not qualify. However, the amendment clarifies that certain post-construction items tied to bringing the system fully online and verified, such as ongoing commissioning, construction closeout, and warranty activities during the operational period, do qualify for DOE funding and the related cost share.
The amendment also adds a more explicit process for waiver requests related to eligibility and domestic performance requirements. Prime recipients must be incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a U.S. state or territory. If a foreign entity wants to apply as a prime recipient, it must instead name a U.S.-incorporated subsidiary or affiliate to serve as the prime recipient, unless a waiver is requested and granted. In addition, the FOA requires that all work under EERE funding agreements be performed in the United States, described as the prime recipient expending 100 percent of the total project cost in the U.S. If an applicant needs a waiver either to allow a foreign prime recipient or to perform some work outside the U.S., the waiver request must be included in the full application and must explain why the exception is necessary and how granting it would advance the FOA goals and serve EERE interests. The request must include the entity name, place of incorporation, the work scope for that entity, and where the work will be performed, and it must be saved as a single file named using the format "Control#InstitutionWaiver" (with the control number referenced by the FOA’s application structure).
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, which typically means DOE expects substantial involvement during the project (for example, technical oversight, milestone reviews, and active coordination). The program is listed under CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development) and indicates a total estimated funding amount of $20,000,000, with award floor and ceiling not specified in the summary provided. The opportunity also clearly flags that cost sharing is required.
Eligibility is broad and spans many organization types, including for-profit organizations (including small businesses), nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) categories), public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, special districts), independent school districts, individuals, and certain Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments, as listed). Regardless of applicant type, the cost share rules and the restrictions on what costs qualify for DOE participation are a central constraint that teams must plan around.
For applicants seeking the full announcement or having trouble accessing it, the FOA points to FedConnect as an additional information source and provides a DOE contact (Uriel Trujillo) at CSPHibred@go.doe.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is this funding opportunity?
The CSP Heat Integration for Baseload Renewable Energy Development Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is DOE opportunity DE-FOA-0000772, administered through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Golden Field Office. It focuses on demonstrating how concentrating solar power (CSP) can be integrated as a heat source within hybrid energy systems to support more dependable, grid-friendly power production.
2. What is the main goal of the FOA?
The core goal is to push CSP beyond stand-alone, utility-scale, solar-only plants by integrating CSP heat into broader (hybrid) energy systems, particularly alongside existing or planned fossil plants, and to generate credible real-world performance data that utilities, grid operators, and regulators would consider bankable.
3. What kind of data does DOE want projects to produce?
DOE is looking for credible, real-world performance and operational data showing how hybrid CSP systems behave over time and how their output profile can fit utility and grid operator needs. The FOA emphasizes performance data that would be considered bankable for evaluating CSP hybridization in existing plants or future designs.
4. Is cost competitiveness a requirement?
Yes. Projects are expected to validate a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from solar energy of 10 cents per kWh or less (in real 2013 dollars) without relying on subsidies, demonstrating solar-derived electricity pricing comparable to intermediate generation resources.
5. Is this notice an amendment to an earlier FOA?
Yes. This is an amendment to the original FOA and it states that, aside from the amendment changes described, the rest of the FOA remains unchanged.
6. What did the amendment change?
The amendment mainly (1) extends the full application deadline, (2) adds clarifying language on cost sharing (including the required cost-share percentage and what parts of a hybrid system can be counted), and (3) adds instructions for requesting certain waivers related to foreign entities and the requirement that project work be performed in the United States.
7. What is the full application deadline?
The amendment extends the full application deadline to April 9, 2013 at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (the original closing date was March 19, 2013).
8. What is the required cost share?
Awardees must provide at least 75 percent of the total allowable project cost from non-federal sources (unless a specific legal allowance applies). DOE funds are therefore limited to up to 25 percent of allowable project costs.
9. Is the cost share requirement considered significant for this FOA?
Yes. The amendment highlights that the cost share requirement is unusually large and central to the opportunity, meaning applicants must present strong financing plans and documented partner contributions.
10. What must applicants show regarding cost share commitments?
Applicants are expected to demonstrate in their applications that they have firm commitments and the ability to supply at least the minimum 75 percent cost share from non-federal sources.
11. Are there restrictions on what project costs are allowable?
Yes. DOE funding and the associated cost share can only be used for the portions of the hybrid system that are necessary exclusively to collect, transfer, or store solar energy.
12. Can the fossil portion of a hybrid plant be paid for with DOE funds?
No. The FOA explicitly excludes the fossil power generation side from eligibility. Activities and facilities necessary for fossil generation cannot be paid for with DOE funds and cannot be counted toward the required cost share.
13. Are turbine and conventional power-generation machinery costs allowable?
No. The FOA states that turbine costs and other power-generation machinery costs are not allowable, reinforcing that the funding is for solar-thermal integration components rather than conventional generation equipment.
14. What types of project activities can DOE funds be used for?
Funding is limited to capital-type activities and specific reporting. Funds can be used for new equipment, modifications to existing equipment, construction and commissioning of that new or modified equipment, and reporting of qualifying performance data.
15. How does the FOA define construction and commissioning for eligibility purposes?
Construction and commissioning are defined as activities performed up through performance and acceptance testing that mark the start of operations.
16. Are routine operations and maintenance (O&M) costs eligible?
No. Routine operation and maintenance expenses do not qualify for DOE funding under this FOA.
17. Are any post-construction activities eligible for funding?
Yes. The amendment clarifies that certain post-construction items tied to bringing the system fully online and verified can qualify, including ongoing commissioning, construction closeout, and warranty activities during the operational period.
18. What award instrument will DOE use?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates DOE expects substantial involvement during the project (for example, technical oversight, milestone reviews, and active coordination).
19. What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The program is listed under CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development).
20. How much total funding is DOE estimating for this FOA?
The FOA indicates a total estimated funding amount of $20,000,000.
21. Are the minimum and maximum award sizes provided in the summary?
No. The summary provided indicates the award floor and ceiling are not specified.
22. Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The opportunity clearly flags that cost sharing is required, and the amendment emphasizes the 75 percent minimum non-federal cost share requirement.
23. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes for-profit organizations (including small businesses), nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, special districts), independent school districts, individuals, and certain Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments, as listed).
24. Do the cost share and cost eligibility restrictions apply regardless of applicant type?
Yes. Regardless of organization type, applicants must plan around the required 75 percent non-federal cost share and the strict limits on what costs qualify for DOE participation and matching.
25. What are the prime recipient requirements related to U.S. incorporation?
Prime recipients must be incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a U.S. state or territory. If a foreign entity wants to apply as a prime recipient, it must instead name a U.S.-incorporated subsidiary or affiliate to serve as the prime recipient, unless a waiver is requested and granted.
26. Does the FOA require project work to be performed in the United States?
Yes. The FOA requires that all work under EERE funding agreements be performed in the United States, described as the prime recipient expending 100 percent of the total project cost in the U.S.
27. When must waiver requests be submitted?
If an applicant needs a waiver (for a foreign prime recipient or to perform some work outside the U.S.), the waiver request must be included in the full application.
28. What must a waiver request explain?
The waiver request must explain why the exception is necessary and how granting it would advance the FOA goals and serve EERE interests.
29. What information must be included in a waiver request?
The request must include the entity name, place of incorporation, the work scope for that entity, and where the work will be performed.
30. How should the waiver request file be named?
The waiver request must be saved as a single file named using the format "Control#InstitutionWaiver" (with the control number referenced by the FOA's application structure).
31. Where can applicants find additional information or the full announcement?
The FOA points to FedConnect as an additional information source for applicants seeking the full announcement or having trouble accessing it.
32. Who is the DOE contact for questions about this FOA?
The FOA provides a DOE contact: Uriel Trujillo at CSPHibred@go.doe.gov.
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