Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001495
Apply for DE FOA 0001495
- The DOE-GFO in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "ENabling Extreme Real-time Grid Integration of Solar Energy (ENERGISE)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 02, 2016 and posted on May 02, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 26, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The ENabling Extreme Real-time Grid Integration of Solar Energy (ENERGISE) funding opportunity (DOE FOA 0001495) is a U.S. Department of Energy grant program under the Grid Modernization and SunShot Initiatives focused on making it much easier for electric utilities and grid operators to connect and operate very large amounts of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation on the distribution grid. The central goal is to fund research and development of solutions that can both plan for and operate distribution systems at high solar penetration in a way that is cost-effective, secure, and reliable, while avoiding the common operational headaches that come with rapidly growing PV adoption (such as voltage fluctuations, protection coordination challenges, reverse power flow, and increased operational uncertainty).
A key emphasis of ENERGISE is "extreme real-time" capability, meaning the funded solutions are expected to use near-instantaneous field awareness and fast operational decision-making rather than relying only on slow, offline studies. The FOA calls for highly scalable distribution system planning tools and real-time operations approaches that can continuously incorporate fresh measurements and forecasts from many different sources. In practice, this means heavy use of sensors (to improve visibility on feeders and at PV sites), communications infrastructure (to move data and control signals quickly and reliably), and advanced data analytics (to turn raw data into actionable grid operating decisions). The envisioned systems would perform continuous optimization and enable active control of both existing and new PV installations, so that solar can be integrated smoothly without requiring excessive manual intervention or conservative operating limits that reduce solar value.
The opportunity also stresses that proposed solutions should work with the grid as it exists today while still aligning with the more advanced architectures the industry is moving toward. In other words, applicants are expected to design approaches that can be deployed in the near term without requiring a complete redesign of distribution operations, but that also do not dead-end utilities into proprietary or inflexible approaches as distribution automation, DER management, and advanced distribution management systems evolve. Alongside performance and scalability, DOE highlights interoperability and cybersecurity as design requirements, signaling that solutions must be able to integrate with diverse utility systems and devices and must be built with secure communications and resilient operational practices in mind.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement, meaning DOE expects substantial involvement during the project (for example, technical reviews, milestones, and coordination). The program is listed under CFDA 81.087 (Energy). Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any additional clarifications in the FOA text, which typically can include conditions such as teaming requirements, cost-share rules, or limits on certain applicant categories depending on topic areas.
In terms of funding scale and timeline, the FOA lists an award ceiling of $4,000,000 per award and anticipates approximately 15 awards. The opportunity was posted May 2, 2016, and the application deadline was August 26, 2016. Applications were required to be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE portal (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov), which requires applicants to register for an account. The full FOA on that platform includes the official submission instructions, required forms, topic areas (if any), and the designated points of contact for both technical questions about the announcement and logistical questions about submission.
ENERGISE (DOE FOA 0001495) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ENERGISE funding opportunity (DOE FOA 0001495)?
ENERGISE stands for ENabling Extreme Real-time Grid Integration of Solar Energy. It is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant opportunity (FOA 0001495) under the Grid Modernization and SunShot Initiatives. The program focuses on making it much easier for electric utilities and grid operators to connect and operate very large amounts of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation on the distribution grid.
What is the main goal of ENERGISE?
The central goal is to fund research and development (R&D) solutions that enable distribution systems to be planned for and operated at high solar penetration in a way that is cost-effective, secure, and reliable. The intent is to reduce operational burdens that can come with rapid PV growth.
What kinds of grid challenges is ENERGISE trying to address?
ENERGISE is aimed at avoiding or mitigating common operational issues associated with high levels of PV on distribution systems, including:
- Voltage fluctuations
- Protection coordination challenges
- Reverse power flow
- Increased operational uncertainty
What does "extreme real-time" mean in this FOA?
"Extreme real-time" capability means solutions are expected to use near-instantaneous field awareness and fast operational decision-making, rather than relying only on slow, offline studies. The FOA calls for approaches that can continuously incorporate fresh measurements and forecasts from many sources.
What types of solutions does the FOA emphasize?
The FOA emphasizes highly scalable distribution system planning tools and real-time operations approaches that can continuously integrate measurements and forecasts. It also envisions continuous optimization and active control of both existing and new PV installations to support smooth integration with minimal manual intervention or overly conservative operating limits.
What technologies or capabilities are highlighted as important for proposed solutions?
Based on the FOA description, proposed solutions are expected to make heavy use of:
- Sensors to improve visibility on feeders and at PV sites
- Communications infrastructure to move data and control signals quickly and reliably
- Advanced data analytics to convert data into actionable operating decisions
Is ENERGISE focused on distribution system planning, real-time operations, or both?
Both. The opportunity calls for scalable distribution system planning tools as well as real-time operations approaches. A key theme is continuously updating planning and operational decisions using up-to-date measurements and forecasts.
Does ENERGISE expect active control of solar PV systems?
Yes. The envisioned systems would enable active control of existing and new PV installations, supporting continuous optimization so that solar can be integrated smoothly without excessive manual intervention.
Do proposed solutions need to work with today's distribution grid, or only future architectures?
Proposed solutions are expected to work with the grid as it exists today while also aligning with the advanced architectures the industry is moving toward. The FOA emphasizes near-term deployability without requiring a complete redesign of distribution operations.
What does the FOA say about interoperability?
Interoperability is highlighted as a design requirement. Solutions are expected to integrate with diverse utility systems and devices and avoid locking utilities into proprietary or inflexible approaches as distribution automation and related systems evolve.
What does the FOA say about cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is specifically highlighted as a design requirement. The FOA signals that solutions must use secure communications and resilient operational practices suitable for utility/grid environments.
What type of funding instrument will DOE use for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement. That means DOE expects substantial involvement during the project, such as technical reviews, milestone tracking, and coordination activities.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 81.087 (Energy).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any additional clarifications in the full FOA text. The FOA may include further conditions such as teaming requirements, cost-share rules, or limits for certain applicant categories depending on topic areas.
How much funding is available per award?
The FOA lists an award ceiling of $4,000,000 per award.
How many awards does DOE anticipate making?
DOE anticipated approximately 15 awards under this FOA.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 2, 2016.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was August 26, 2016.
Where were applications submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE portal at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.
Do applicants need an account to submit through EERE eXCHANGE?
Yes. Applicants needed to register for an account in EERE eXCHANGE to submit an application.
Where can applicants find the official submission instructions and required forms?
The full FOA posted on the EERE eXCHANGE platform includes the official submission instructions, required forms, any topic areas (if applicable), and the designated points of contact for both technical and logistical questions.
Who should be contacted for technical questions or submission issues?
The FOA indicates that designated points of contact are provided in the full announcement on EERE eXCHANGE, including contacts for technical questions about the announcement and logistical questions about the submission process.
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