Opportunity Information: Apply for DE PS36 09GO99019
Apply for DE PS36 09GO99019
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Enhanced Geothermal Systems Demonstration" 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 Jun 30, 2009 and posted on Mar 4, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 30, 2009 In order for the Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) to meet programming goals. (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 $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- 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 Enhanced Geothermal Systems Demonstration grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-PS36-09GO99019, also referenced as DE FOA 0000092) is a U.S. Department of Energy effort administered through the Golden Field Office under the Geothermal Technologies Program. The goal is to fund demonstration-level projects that advance Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), which generally means creating or improving geothermal reservoirs through engineered stimulation and then producing usable heat and power from them. The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically means DOE expects substantial involvement during the project (for example, active technical oversight, milestone reviews, and ongoing coordination rather than a hands-off grant). The funding falls under CFDA 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development, and includes a cost-sharing requirement, so applicants are expected to bring non-federal funding to the table alongside DOE dollars.
The opportunity reflects an amended announcement (Amendment 003), and the amendment is mostly about tightening expectations around applicant capability, program balance, and risk management. One of the biggest additions is an explicit review criterion focused on the financial viability of the applicant to complete the proposed project. In practical terms, this signals that reviewers are not only judging the technical plan, but also whether the organization has the balance sheet, financing plan, and overall financial strength to carry a complex demonstration through to completion, including meeting cost share obligations and handling delays or unforeseen field costs. This kind of emphasis is common for large field demonstrations where drilling, stimulation, and long-duration testing can create cost and schedule pressure.
Another notable change is the addition of an "Other Selection Factor" allowing DOE to choose projects that improve technology diversity across the overall program portfolio. That means an application can be strong on its own merits, but DOE may still weigh how it complements other selected projects. For applicants, this implies there is value in clearly positioning what is distinct about the approach (for example, reservoir type, stimulation strategy, well architecture, monitoring technologies, circulation strategy, or power conversion integration) and how the project adds breadth to the national EGS learning agenda rather than duplicating what others are doing.
The amendment also adds a firm requirement that all applications must comply with the Protocol for Induced Seismicity Associated with Enhanced Geothermal Systems (the referenced IEA-GIA document). This is a major compliance point because induced seismicity is one of the most sensitive issues for EGS development, affecting public acceptance, permitting, and operational controls. Requiring adherence to a formal protocol effectively pushes applicants to include credible seismic risk assessment, monitoring and mitigation plans (such as baseline seismic surveys, real-time monitoring networks, traffic light systems for operational response, stakeholder communication plans, and procedures for documenting and responding to events). It is not framed as optional best practice; it is a stated application requirement that applicants must address in the application content and project plan.
On the merit review side, the amendment clarifies language within Merit Review Criterion 3, "Project Team and Resources," specifically the first bullet. While the text provided here does not reproduce the exact bullet, the intent is clear: DOE is sharpening how it evaluates whether the team has the right mix of expertise and whether the applicant has access to the equipment, sites, partners, and operational capability needed for an EGS demonstration. For a field-scale project, that usually means credible drilling and completions capability, stimulation design expertise, reservoir engineering, geomechanics and seismology, monitoring and data management, environmental and permitting competence, and a realistic plan for project management and safety.
Eligibility is also tightened by explicitly excluding nonprofit entities described under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. The opportunity otherwise appears broadly open ("unrestricted") as long as the applicant fits within the eligible categories listed in the full FOA. Anyone considering applying under a nonprofit structure would need to verify their IRS classification and ensure it is not a 501(c)(4), since those entities are specifically deemed ineligible under this amendment.
From a timeline and funding standpoint, the opportunity was originally posted March 4, 2009, created June 30, 2009, and the closing date was extended to July 30, 2009 (from an original closing date of May 14, 2009), indicating DOE likely adjusted the schedule to better meet program goals or to allow more complete applications. The archive date is October 30, 2009. The award ceiling is listed at $10,000,000, which sets expectations that DOE is looking for significant, demonstration-scale work rather than small lab studies, though actual award sizes can vary depending on the FOA structure and the number of selected projects. Because cost sharing is required, applicants should assume DOE expects meaningful private or non-federal investment and a financing plan that supports the full project scope.
For administrative details, the announcement notes that Amendment 003 changes are highlighted in green within the FOA document itself, which is helpful for applicants trying to track what changed. For access or technical issues retrieving the full announcement, the posting points to FedConnect support (support@fedconnect.net) and provides DOE contact emails including go.geothermal@go.doe.gov, with Genevieve Wozniak listed as a point of contact. In short, this opportunity is aimed at accelerating real-world EGS demonstrations, with a clear emphasis on financial readiness, portfolio diversity, rigorous induced seismicity management, and well-qualified, properly resourced project teams under a cooperative agreement structure.
Enhanced Geothermal Systems Demonstration (DE-PS36-09GO99019 / DE FOA 0000092) - FAQs
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is the Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Demonstration grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), administered through the Golden Field Office under the Geothermal Technologies Program. It is associated with Funding Opportunity Number DE-PS36-09GO99019 and is also referenced as DE FOA 0000092.
2) What is the goal of the program?
The goal is to fund demonstration-level projects that advance Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). In general, EGS involves creating or improving geothermal reservoirs through engineered stimulation and then producing usable heat and power from them.
3) What type of projects is DOE looking to fund?
DOE is looking for demonstration-scale EGS projects, not small laboratory studies. The emphasis is on real-world field demonstrations where reservoirs are engineered or improved and then operated to produce useful heat and power.
4) What is the award mechanism (and why does it matter)?
The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This typically means DOE expects substantial involvement during the project, such as active technical oversight, milestone reviews, and ongoing coordination, rather than operating as a hands-off grant.
5) What program and CFDA listing does this funding fall under?
The funding falls under CFDA 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development.
6) Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing requirement, meaning applicants are expected to provide non-federal funding alongside DOE funds.
7) What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is listed at $10,000,000. This suggests DOE expects significant, demonstration-scale work, although actual award sizes can vary depending on the FOA structure and selections.
8) What does Amendment 003 change or emphasize?
Amendment 003 tightens expectations around applicant capability, program balance, and risk management. Key additions and clarifications include: an explicit review criterion focused on applicant financial viability; an "Other Selection Factor" for technology diversity across the DOE portfolio; a firm requirement to comply with an induced seismicity protocol; clarified expectations in the project team/resources review criterion; and a specific eligibility exclusion for 501(c)(4) nonprofits.
9) Is financial strength evaluated as part of the review?
Yes. Amendment 003 adds an explicit review criterion focused on the financial viability of the applicant to complete the proposed project. Reviewers are not only judging technical plans, but also whether the organization has the financial strength and financing approach to complete a complex demonstration, including meeting cost share obligations and managing delays or unforeseen field costs.
10) What does "technology diversity" mean in the selection process?
The amendment adds an "Other Selection Factor" that allows DOE to select projects that improve technology diversity across the overall program portfolio. This means DOE may consider how a project complements other selected projects, not just how it scores on its own.
11) How can an applicant address the technology diversity factor?
The FOA information indicates there may be value in clearly explaining what is distinct about the proposed approach and how it contributes to the national EGS learning agenda. Examples of differentiators mentioned include reservoir type, stimulation strategy, well architecture, monitoring technologies, circulation strategy, or power conversion integration.
12) Is compliance with an induced seismicity protocol required?
Yes. The amendment adds a firm requirement that all applications must comply with the Protocol for Induced Seismicity Associated with Enhanced Geothermal Systems (the referenced IEA-GIA document). This is described as a stated application requirement that must be addressed in the application content and project plan.
13) What kinds of induced seismicity elements are implied by the required protocol?
Based on the FOA summary, compliance effectively pushes applicants to include credible seismic risk assessment, monitoring, and mitigation plans. Examples referenced include baseline seismic surveys, real-time monitoring networks, traffic light systems for operational response, stakeholder communication plans, and procedures for documenting and responding to events.
14) What does DOE look for under "Project Team and Resources"?
The amendment clarifies language within Merit Review Criterion 3, "Project Team and Resources," especially regarding whether the team has the right mix of expertise and whether the applicant has access to the equipment, sites, partners, and operational capability needed for an EGS demonstration.
15) What capabilities are generally relevant for an EGS demonstration team?
For a field-scale EGS project, the FOA summary indicates DOE expectations generally include credible drilling and completions capability, stimulation design expertise, reservoir engineering, geomechanics and seismology, monitoring and data management, environmental and permitting competence, and a realistic plan for project management and safety.
16) Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity appears broadly open ("unrestricted") as long as the applicant fits within eligible categories listed in the full FOA. The summary provided does not list all categories, so applicants would need to verify eligibility against the FOA.
17) Are any nonprofit entities explicitly ineligible?
Yes. Eligibility is tightened by explicitly excluding nonprofit entities described under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
18) If an organization is a nonprofit, what should it confirm before applying?
If applying under a nonprofit structure, the organization should verify its IRS classification to ensure it is not a 501(c)(4), since those entities are explicitly deemed ineligible under the amendment.
19) When was the FOA posted, and what are the key dates mentioned?
The opportunity was originally posted March 4, 2009; created June 30, 2009; and the closing date was extended to July 30, 2009 (from an original closing date of May 14, 2009). The archive date is October 30, 2009.
20) What was the final application deadline?
The closing date was extended to July 30, 2009.
21) How can applicants identify what changed in Amendment 003?
The announcement notes that Amendment 003 changes are highlighted in green within the FOA document.
22) Who administers this opportunity within DOE?
The effort is administered through DOE's Golden Field Office under the Geothermal Technologies Program.
23) Where can applicants get help if they have trouble accessing the full announcement?
For access or technical issues retrieving the full announcement, the posting points to FedConnect support at support@fedconnect.net.
24) What DOE contact information is provided for this opportunity?
The announcement provides DOE contact emails including go.geothermal@go.doe.gov and lists Genevieve Wozniak as a point of contact.
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