Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001459
Apply for DE FOA 0001459
- The DOE-NETL in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pre-Project Planning for Advanced Combustion Pilot Plants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.089.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 21, 2016 and posted on Jan 21, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 15, 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 $3,333,333.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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 Department of Energy, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE-NETL), issued a discretionary funding opportunity called "Pre-Project Planning for Advanced Combustion Pilot Plants" (Funding Opportunity Number DE FOA 0001459). The purpose of this program is to fund early-stage, pre-project work that gets advanced combustion pilot plants ready for construction and operation by completing credible preliminary designs and related planning products. In other words, the government is not primarily paying to build the pilot plants under this announcement; it is paying for the engineering, integration planning, site selection work, and cost/schedule definition needed so that a later construction phase can move forward with less technical and project risk.
The work funded under this FOA centers on pilot plants based on advanced combustion systems, with pilots required to be at least 10 megawatts electric (MWe) in scale, or an equivalent energy output. That size requirement signals that DOE is looking beyond bench- or lab-scale testing and wants designs that are large enough to reveal real-world engineering and operability issues, while still being smaller and less expensive than full commercial installations. A key expectation is that the pilot design includes the essential features that must be proven or validated at pilot scale before a subsequent commercial-scale demonstration would make sense. This typically implies detailed thinking around components, subsystems, controls, reliability, safety, and the ability to generate data that meaningfully reduces scale-up uncertainty.
A major deliverable is a preliminary design package that clearly identifies the basic technology elements of the proposed pilot plant and explains how they fit together. The FOA emphasizes integration requirements, which means applicants are expected to show how the combustion technology interfaces with supporting systems such as fuel handling, air or oxygen supply (if applicable), heat recovery or steam systems, emissions controls, power generation equipment, instrumentation, and plant controls. The planning effort also must include identification of a host site, reflecting DOE's interest in practical deployment conditions and the real constraints associated with siting, permitting pathways, existing infrastructure, utilities, and site operations. In addition, the projects must produce realistic cost and schedule requirements for constructing and operating the pilot, so DOE and project teams can understand the budget range, major cost drivers, expected timeline, and execution risks.
Alongside the pilot-plant planning, the FOA requires a techno-economic analysis (TEA) performed at the commercial scale. This is an important point: even though the funded work is focused on a pilot plant design, DOE wants applicants to connect the pilot effort to an end goal of commercially viable performance. The TEA is meant to estimate the expected cost and performance of the technology at full scale and to compare those projections to DOE goals. Practically, that means applicants need to translate pilot-level assumptions into commercial-scale scenarios, including capital costs, operating costs, efficiency or heat rate impacts, and other performance metrics relevant to advanced combustion systems, so DOE can judge whether the technology pathway has a plausible route to meeting federal targets.
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial federal involvement during the project. Compared to a standard grant, this often means DOE expects to collaborate through regular technical reviews, milestone approvals, and coordination on key decisions, helping ensure the pre-project planning outputs are usable for future funding decisions or follow-on project phases.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement text. The program anticipated making about three awards, with an award ceiling of $3,333,333 per project. The FOA was posted on January 21, 2016, with an application deadline of March 15, 2016. The activity category is Energy and the CFDA number is 81.089, aligning it with DOE assistance programs.
In practical terms, this opportunity is aimed at teams that can credibly move an advanced combustion concept toward a buildable pilot plant by producing a defensible preliminary engineering design, a realistic execution plan (site, cost, schedule, and operational approach), and a commercial-scale TEA that demonstrates why the technology is worth the next step. The emphasis on pilot-scale essential features and commercial-scale economics shows DOE is trying to fund planning work that directly reduces risk and increases confidence before committing to expensive demonstration or deployment phases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Pre-Project Planning for Advanced Combustion Pilot Plants (DE FOA 0001459)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Pre-Project Planning for Advanced Combustion Pilot Plants."
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), issued this opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE FOA 0001459.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The purpose is to fund early-stage, pre-project planning work that prepares advanced combustion pilot plants for construction and operation by completing credible preliminary designs and related planning products. The focus is on reducing technical and project risk before a later construction phase.
Is this FOA intended to pay for building the pilot plants?
No. This FOA is primarily aimed at planning and design activities rather than paying to build the pilot plants. It supports engineering, integration planning, site selection work, and definition of cost and schedule needed to enable a later construction phase.
What types of technologies or systems are supported?
The work centers on pilot plants based on advanced combustion systems, including the planning and preliminary design needed to make those systems ready for construction and operation.
What is the minimum required pilot plant size?
Pilot plants must be at least 10 megawatts electric (MWe) in scale, or an equivalent energy output.
Why does DOE require a 10 MWe (or equivalent) pilot scale?
The minimum scale indicates DOE is looking beyond bench- or lab-scale testing and wants designs large enough to reveal real-world engineering and operability issues, while still remaining smaller and less expensive than full commercial installations.
What does DOE expect the pilot plant design to prove at pilot scale?
DOE expects the pilot design to include essential features that must be proven or validated at pilot scale before a later commercial-scale demonstration would be reasonable. This typically involves thoughtful design around components, subsystems, controls, reliability, safety, and data generation that reduces scale-up uncertainty.
What is a major required deliverable under this FOA?
A major deliverable is a preliminary design package that identifies the basic technology elements of the proposed pilot plant and explains how they fit together.
What does the FOA mean by "integration requirements"?
The FOA emphasizes that applicants should show how the combustion technology interfaces with supporting plant systems. Examples mentioned include fuel handling, air or oxygen supply (if applicable), heat recovery or steam systems, emissions controls, power generation equipment, instrumentation, and plant controls.
Does the planning work need to include a host site?
Yes. The planning effort must include identification of a host site, reflecting DOE's interest in practical deployment conditions and real constraints related to siting and operations.
What kinds of host-site considerations are implied by the FOA?
Based on the FOA description, host-site considerations include siting constraints, permitting pathways, existing infrastructure, utilities, and site operations.
Are applicants required to develop cost and schedule information?
Yes. Projects must produce realistic cost and schedule requirements for constructing and operating the pilot plant so DOE and the project team can understand budget range, major cost drivers, timeline, and execution risks.
Is a techno-economic analysis (TEA) required?
Yes. The FOA requires a techno-economic analysis (TEA) performed at the commercial scale.
Why does DOE require a commercial-scale TEA if the project is focused on a pilot plant?
DOE wants applicants to connect the pilot effort to an end goal of commercially viable performance. The TEA estimates expected cost and performance at full scale and compares projections to DOE goals, helping DOE judge whether the technology pathway has a plausible route to meeting federal targets.
What kinds of factors should the commercial-scale TEA address, based on the FOA description?
The TEA should translate pilot-level assumptions into commercial-scale scenarios and include items such as capital costs, operating costs, efficiency or heat rate impacts, and other performance metrics relevant to advanced combustion systems.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial federal involvement during the project. Compared with a standard grant, this often includes DOE collaboration through regular technical reviews, milestone approvals, and coordination on key decisions to ensure planning outputs are usable for future funding decisions or follow-on phases.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement text.
How many awards were anticipated?
The program anticipated making about three awards.
What is the maximum award amount per project?
The award ceiling is $3,333,333 per project.
When was the FOA posted?
The FOA was posted on January 21, 2016.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was March 15, 2016.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Energy.
What is the CFDA number associated with this FOA?
The CFDA number is 81.089.
What kind of applicants or project teams is this opportunity aimed at?
This opportunity is aimed at teams that can credibly move an advanced combustion concept toward a buildable pilot plant by producing a defensible preliminary engineering design, a realistic execution plan (including site, cost, schedule, and operational approach), and a commercial-scale TEA explaining why the technology is worth the next step.
What is DOE trying to achieve by funding pre-project planning rather than construction?
The FOA emphasizes planning work that directly reduces risk and increases confidence before committing to expensive demonstration or deployment phases, by strengthening design credibility, integration planning, siting readiness, and cost/schedule realism.
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| STATE ENERGY EVOLUTION AND DIFFUSION STUDIES II - STATE ENERGY STRATEGIES (SEEDSII-SES) Apply for DE FOA 0001496 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001496 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
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| Notice of Intent: Commercial Buildings and Energy Code Field Studies Apply for DE FOA 0001544 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001544 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 'Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Conversion and Environmental Monitoring Technology Advancement' Apply for DE FOA 0001527 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001527 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,300,000 |
| Notice of Intent: Next Generation of Electric Machines: Enabling Technologies Apply for DE FOA 0001525 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001525 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $6,500,000 |
| Innovative Concepts for Modular Oxygen Production in Fossil Energy Gasification Systems Apply for DE FOA 0001456 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001456 Agency: DOE-NETL Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| NOI: Cities Leading through Energy Analysis and Planning (Cities-LEAP) Apply for DE FOA 0001422 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001422 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DE-FOA-0001545 Request for Information: Challenges and Opportunities for Non-Powered Dam and Pumped Storage Hydropower Development in the U.S. Apply for DE FOA 0001545 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001545 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement: Industrial Assessment Centers Apply for DE FOA 0001466 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001466 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,750,000 |
| ADVANCED SYSTEMS LEVEL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRATION AND DEMONSTRATION FOR EFFICIENT CLASS 8 TRUCKS, SUPERTRUCK II Apply for DE FOA 0001447 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001447 Agency: DOE-NETL Category: Energy Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Commercial Buildings and Energy Code Field Studies Apply for DE FOA 0001532 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001532 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,800,000 |
| Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Development Apply for DE FOA 0001418 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001418 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,350,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0001510: Research, Development and Business Strategies Needs for Hydrogen and Automotive Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells Apply for DE FOA 0001510 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001510 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $100 |
| NEXT GENERATION ELECTRIC MACHINES: ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES Apply for DE FOA 0001467 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001467 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $6,500,000 |
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