Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000343
Apply for DE FOA 0000343
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Enhancing Short Term Wind Energy Forecasting for Increased Utility Operations" 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 Jul 7, 2010 and posted on Jun 1, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 13, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This funding opportunity, titled "Enhancing Short Term Wind Energy Forecasting for Increased Utility Operations" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000343), is a U.S. Department of Energy effort managed through the Golden Field Office to support a cooperative agreement focused on better near-term wind forecasting and understanding how those forecast improvements translate into real operational benefits for electric utilities and grid operators. The announcement is a modification that only corrects a web link in Section VIII.G (the Notice of Right to Request Patent Waiver). Beyond that link correction, the substance of the FOA remains the same.
At its core, the FOA aims to fund a project that improves short-term wind forecasts in the 0 to 6 hour window, with a specific emphasis on conditions at turbine height, where the most operationally relevant wind behavior occurs. The intent is not just to produce better forecasts in a research sense, but to demonstrate practical value: how additional atmospheric observations, improved data assimilation, and model enhancements can increase wind plant power forecast accuracy and, in turn, support smoother and more cost-effective utility operations. The opportunity reflects a recognition that many operational challenges in integrating wind energy into the grid arise from uncertainty over the next few hours, when grid operators must balance generation and demand, commit fast-ramping resources, manage reserves, and maintain reliability.
A central idea in the FOA is that the accuracy of commercial wind energy forecasting services is constrained by the quality and wind-energy relevance of foundational meteorological data and forecast products produced by NOAA's National Weather Service. Historically, those core products have not been optimized specifically for wind energy needs, particularly in the lower atmosphere and at hub heights where wind turbines operate. The project therefore seeks to research and test whether adding or improving meteorological observations, along with advancing how those observations are assimilated into numerical weather prediction models, can yield measurable improvements in wind forecasts that are actionable for both the public and private sectors. In other words, it is designed to strengthen the upstream meteorological backbone that downstream wind power forecasts rely on.
The FOA anticipates a public-private partnership structure, with the selected recipient working collaboratively with federal participants, specifically DOE and NOAA, to meet what is framed as an emerging national need for more precise wind forecasts than are currently available. While there have been numerous local or regional efforts by researchers, the wind industry, and forecasting service providers to improve wind measurement and forecasting at turbine levels, these efforts often rely on existing forecast models and are limited in geographic scope. DOE is signaling that national-scale advances are still needed in lower-atmospheric sensing and operational numerical prediction, and that this project should help push the state of the art in a way that can generalize beyond a single site or region.
In terms of timeline and technical emphasis, the FOA notes that the observation and data assimilation/modeling component is expected to begin in early 2011 and run for about 12 months. That suggests the work is expected to include a defined period of enhanced observing and modeling experimentation, during which improvements can be tested and quantified. The broader goal is to produce evidence showing the benefit of additional observations and model enhancements for hub-height wind prediction, and to connect those forecast gains to improved wind plant power forecasting and utility operational decision-making.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal partners during execution. It falls under the energy activity category and is associated with CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development). Cost sharing is required. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any eligibility clarifications in the FOA text. The opportunity was posted June 1, 2010, with a closing date of July 13, 2010. Additional information is available through FedConnect, and the point of contact listed for access issues is Laura Merrick Matthews at laura.merrick@go.doe.gov.
FAQs: Enhancing Short Term Wind Energy Forecasting for Increased Utility Operations (DE-FOA-0000343)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "Enhancing Short Term Wind Energy Forecasting for Increased Utility Operations" and the Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0000343.
Which federal agency is offering this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunity.
Which DOE office is managing the opportunity?
The effort is managed through DOE's Golden Field Office.
What funding mechanism will be used?
The opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically involves substantial federal involvement or collaboration during project execution.
What is the primary purpose of this FOA?
The FOA aims to fund a project that improves short-term wind forecasting and demonstrates how forecast improvements translate into real operational benefits for electric utilities and grid operators.
What forecast time window is the FOA focused on?
The technical focus is on short-term forecasts in the 0 to 6 hour window.
Why is the 0 to 6 hour timeframe important for utilities and grid operators?
The FOA highlights that many operational challenges for integrating wind energy arise from uncertainty over the next few hours, when operators must balance supply and demand, commit fast-ramping resources, manage reserves, and maintain reliability.
At what atmospheric level does the FOA emphasize forecasting improvements?
The FOA specifically emphasizes conditions at turbine height (hub height), because that is where the most operationally relevant wind behavior occurs for wind power production.
Is the goal purely research-oriented, or does DOE expect operational value to be demonstrated?
The FOA is not limited to research-grade forecast improvement. It seeks practical, demonstrated value by linking better atmospheric forecasts to improved wind plant power forecast accuracy and smoother, more cost-effective utility operations.
What technical approaches does the FOA highlight for improving forecasts?
The FOA points to additional atmospheric observations, improved data assimilation, and model enhancements as core approaches to improving short-term wind forecasts.
What is the role of meteorological observations in this opportunity?
The project is intended to test whether adding or improving meteorological observations, and better assimilating them into numerical weather prediction models, can yield measurable and actionable improvements in wind forecasting.
How does NOAA factor into the motivation for this project?
The FOA notes that commercial wind forecasting services are constrained by the foundational meteorological data and forecast products produced by NOAA's National Weather Service, which historically have not been optimized for wind energy needs in the lower atmosphere and at hub heights.
What does the FOA mean by strengthening the "upstream meteorological backbone"?
The FOA is designed to improve the core meteorological observations and numerical weather prediction inputs that downstream wind power forecasts rely on, benefiting both public and private sector forecasting workflows.
Does the FOA expect collaboration or partnership?
Yes. The FOA anticipates a public-private partnership structure, with the selected recipient working collaboratively with federal participants, specifically DOE and NOAA.
What national need is DOE identifying through this FOA?
DOE frames this as an emerging national need for more precise wind forecasts than are currently available, and signals that national-scale advances are still needed in lower-atmospheric sensing and operational numerical prediction.
How is this FOA different from prior local or regional wind forecasting improvement efforts?
The FOA notes that many prior efforts have been local or regional, often relying on existing forecast models and limited in geographic scope. In contrast, DOE is signaling the need for advances that can generalize beyond a single site or region.
When is the observation and data assimilation/modeling component expected to begin, and how long is it expected to run?
The FOA indicates that the observation and data assimilation/modeling component is expected to begin in early 2011 and run for about 12 months.
What type of evidence is the project expected to produce?
The FOA emphasizes producing evidence showing the benefit of additional observations and model enhancements for hub-height wind prediction, and connecting those forecast gains to improved wind plant power forecasting and utility operational decision-making.
Is this announcement a new FOA or a modification?
This announcement is a modification to the FOA.
What changed in the modification?
The modification only corrects a web link in Section VIII.G related to the Notice of Right to Request Patent Waiver.
Did the modification change the substance of the FOA?
No. Beyond the link correction, the substance of the FOA remains the same.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is required.
What is the activity category associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under the energy activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any eligibility clarifications contained in the FOA text.
When was the opportunity posted?
The FOA was posted on June 1, 2010.
What is the closing date for applications?
The closing date is July 13, 2010.
Where can applicants find additional information and access the opportunity?
Additional information is available through FedConnect.
Who is the point of contact for access issues, and how can they be reached?
The point of contact listed for access issues is Laura Merrick Matthews, reachable at laura.merrick@go.doe.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy
Next opportunity: Clean slate design of Resilient, Adaptive, Secure Hosts (CRASH)
Previous opportunity: Haystack Flow Measurement System NOI
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DE FOA 0000343
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0000343) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| National Laser Users Program Apply for DE FOA 0000358 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000358 Agency: NNSA Category: Energy Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| DOE Offshore Wind Program Input Requested for Demonstration Projects Apply for DE FOA 0000384 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000384 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DOE Offshore Wind Program Input Requested for Demonstration Projects Apply for DE FOA 0000385 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000385 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for Information Solutions for Wind Energy Workforce Development Apply for DE FOA 0000392 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000392 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The DOE FY2010 Phase III Xlerator Program for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Fossil Energy, and Nuclear Energy Apply for DE FOA 0000397 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000397 Agency: Oak Ridge Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing Initiative Apply for DE FOA 0000259 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000259 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities Apply for RD RUS HECG10 Funding Number: RD RUS HECG10 Agency: Utilities Programs Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| RFI Advanced Hydropower Technology Development and Deployment Apply for DE FOA 0000406 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000406 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Energy Production with Innovative Methods of Geothermal Heat Recovery Apply for DE FOA 0000336 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000336 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Proliferation Detection Research Apply for DE FOA 0000400 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000400 Agency: NNSA Category: Energy Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Fuel Cell Technologies Early Market Opportunities Apply for DE FOA 0000429 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000429 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2011 Woody Biomass Utilization Grant Apply for USDA FS TMU 2011 Funding Number: USDA FS TMU 2011 Agency: Forest Service Category: Energy Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Integrated Process Improvements for Biochemical Conversion of Biomass Sugars From Pretreatment to Substitutes for Petroleum based Feedstocks, Products and Fuels Apply for DE FOA 0000337 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000337 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Superior Energy Performance Program Administrator Technical Assistance Apply for DE FOA 0000435 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000435 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NOI Demonstration Project for Concentrating Solar Technologies Apply for DE FOA 0000233 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000233 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research and Development of Fuel Cells for Stationary and Transportation Applications Apply for DE FOA 0000360 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000360 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Storage System Cost Analyses Funding Opportunity Apply for DE FOA 0000420 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000420 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Algae Biomass Supply Apply for DE FOA 0000466 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000466 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RFI 1/W Photovoltaic Systems Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems Advanced Concepts Apply for DE FOA 0000484 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000484 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Program Year 2011 Weatherization Formula Grants Apply for DE FOA 0000446 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000446 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0000343", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.