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FAQs: Reliable Electricity Based on Electrochemical Systems (REBELS) - ARPA-E (Planned FOA)

What is the REBELS opportunity?

Reliable Electricity Based on Electrochemical Systems (REBELS) is a planned ARPA-E funding effort focused on advancing intermediate temperature fuel cell (ITFC) technologies toward practical, reliable stationary power generation.

Is this posting the actual Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)?

No. The information provided describes a teaming partner list announcement intended to help organizations find collaborators ahead of an anticipated FOA. ARPA-E notes that there is no FOA yet at the time of this notice and that the final FOA will provide the binding application instructions and funding terms.

What is the main goal ARPA-E is signaling for REBELS?

The goal is to support fuel cell systems that can use fossil fuels efficiently in the near term for stationary electricity (including compatibility with existing fuels like natural gas) while also establishing a credible pathway aligned with a longer-term transition to zero-carbon energy.

What types of applications are emphasized?

The emphasis is on stationary power generation, particularly small distributed generation systems that can provide on-site electricity for buildings, campuses, or localized grids.

What are the main technical thrusts ARPA-E expects to emphasize?

ARPA-E indicates three main thrust areas it expects to emphasize in the REBELS FOA:

• Low-cost, efficient, and reliable intermediate temperature fuel cells (ITFCs) for small distributed generation.
• ITFC concepts that can store charge directly within an electrode, enabling fast, battery-like transient response to changes in power demand.
• Electrochemical devices that convert methane into liquid fuels using excess renewable electricity (e.g., surplus wind/solar), linking grid flexibility and renewable integration to fuels production.

Why does ARPA-E mention battery-like transient response in a fuel cell program?

The notice highlights a device concept where charge is stored directly within an electrode so the device can respond quickly to load changes. This is called out because many fuel cells operate best at steady state and typically require added balance-of-system components to handle rapid load swings; ARPA-E is pointing toward device-level integration rather than relying on separate system-level batteries.

Does REBELS only focus on electricity generation?

No. While reliable stationary electricity is a core theme, REBELS also explicitly includes electrochemical production of liquid fuels from methane using excess renewable electricity, connecting electricity, methane, and liquid fuels.

What kinds of fuel inputs or near-term fuels does ARPA-E appear to consider relevant?

The notice explicitly discusses near-term use of fossil fuels efficiently for stationary electricity and notes compatibility with existing fuels like natural gas. It also discusses methane as a feedstock for electrochemical conversion to liquid fuels.

What technology areas does ARPA-E say it does not intend to fund under REBELS?

ARPA-E draws a boundary that it does not intend to fund work that is essentially a continuation of existing DOE R&D tracks for conventional fuel cell platforms, specifically low-temperature polymer electrolyte (LT PEM) and high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (HT SOFCs).

What does an applicant need to show regarding LT PEM and HT SOFC technologies?

Applicants would need to clearly show that their concepts are distinct from, and not simply incremental extensions of, the existing LT PEM and HT SOFC fuel cell families as they are typically pursued within established DOE program areas.

What types of expertise are highlighted as useful for competitive teams?

The notice highlights several areas of expertise that ARPA-E expects will be useful, including:

• Intermediate-temperature solid electrolytes.
• Intermediate-temperature electrocatalysts and electrodes with low or zero platinum group metal (PGM) loading.
• New approaches to activate carbon-hydrogen bonds for fuel reforming at intermediate temperatures.
• Direct reforming of fuels at the fuel cell electrode (suggesting simplified fuel processing and improved integration).
• Manufacturing methods that avoid high-temperature sintering.
• Device-level integration of fuel cell and battery behavior.
• Electrochemical production of liquid fuels.

What is the purpose of the Teaming Partner List?

The Teaming Partner List is intended to help researchers and organizations find collaborators and form cross-disciplinary teams in advance of the anticipated FOA release. ARPA-E strongly encourages collaboration across organizations, scientific disciplines, and technology sectors to accelerate progress on challenging outcomes.

How does an organization get listed as a potential teaming partner?

Organizations can submit basic profile information through ARPA-E's online portal, including organization and contact details, type of organization, technical expertise, and a short description of capabilities.

Will ARPA-E evaluate, endorse, or rank organizations on the partner list?

No. ARPA-E explicitly states that it is not endorsing or evaluating entities on the list.

Is there any compensation for submitting information to the teaming partner list?

No. ARPA-E makes clear it is not paying or compensating anyone for submitting information.

What does submitting information to the partner list imply about publication?

Submitting information implies consent for ARPA-E to publish the submitted information on the teaming partner list.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001026.

What type of funding opportunity is this categorized as?

It is categorized as a discretionary funding opportunity.

What funding instrument is expected?

The expected funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What is the program category and CFDA number listed?

The category is Science and Technology/Research and Development, listed under CFDA 81.135 (ARPA-E).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications in the final FOA.

What are the posted dates (posting, closing, archive) mentioned in the notice?

The notice reflects a posting date of October 28, 2013; a listed closing date of December 31, 2013; and an archive date of January 30, 2014. The notice also states that, at the time of the posting, there is no FOA yet and that the final FOA was anticipated by the end of calendar year 2013.

Do the listed award floor and ceiling of zero mean awards will be zero dollars?

No. The notice shows award floor and ceiling as zero, which typically indicates that specific funding amounts were not provided in this teaming-partner announcement rather than implying zero-dollar awards.

Where should applicants look for official application instructions and binding terms?

ARPA-E indicates that applicants must rely on the final FOA for actual application instructions and binding funding terms, since this posting is not the FOA itself.

Who is the contact for issues accessing the announcement electronically?

Contact information is provided for a DOE contract specialist for issues accessing the announcement electronically.