Request for Information (RFI) Fuel Cell Technologies Program Technology Validation Activities | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Is this a grant or funding opportunity?

No. This notice is a Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI). It is intended to collect input from industry, researchers, and other stakeholders. It is not a funding announcement and does not make awards.

2) What is the purpose of this RFI?

The purpose is to gather market and technical feedback on potential Technology Validation activities for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. DOE plans to use the input to inform DOE planning and future program direction, including identifying promising demonstration and validation efforts aligned with DOE work.

3) Which DOE office and program issued the RFI?

The RFI comes from DOE's Golden Field Office under the Fuel Cell Technologies Program.

4) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this RFI?

The opportunity is identified as DE-FOA-0000524.

5) What is the CFDA number and program category listed?

The synopsis lists CFDA 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development.

6) What kind of activity is DOE asking about (what does "Technology Validation" mean here)?

The RFI focuses on Technology Validation work, meaning activities beyond laboratory research that demonstrate performance, reliability, efficiency, and real-world operability of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. These efforts are typically aimed at collecting credible field data, confirming technical claims under real conditions, identifying failure modes and maintenance needs, and reducing perceived risk for broader commercial adoption.

7) What are the main topic areas DOE is interested in?

DOE highlights two main areas of interest: (1) innovative concepts for stationary fuel cell systems for residential and commercial applications, and (2) Technology Validation projects for other markets beyond the stationary residential/commercial segment.

8) What types of stationary fuel cell concepts are specifically called out?

Within residential and commercial stationary systems, DOE specifically calls out combined heat and power (CHP) configurations, combined cycle operation, and combined heat, hydrogen, and power (CHHP) co-production systems.

9) What is CHP in the context of this RFI?

CHP refers to combined heat and power configurations that use the fuel cell for electricity generation while capturing and using waste heat to boost overall energy efficiency.

10) What is "combined cycle operation" as referenced in the RFI synopsis?

Combined cycle operation refers to integrating complementary power-cycle components where appropriate, with the intent of improving overall system efficiency beyond what the fuel cell alone might achieve.

11) What is CHHP co-production?

CHHP refers to combined heat, hydrogen, and power co-production concepts. These are fuel cell-based or closely integrated systems designed to simultaneously provide usable heat, generate electricity, and produce hydrogen as a product stream.

12) Why would DOE be interested in CHHP systems?

Based on the synopsis, CHHP systems can support onsite fueling, industrial use, or other hydrogen applications while potentially improving overall system economics by co-producing multiple valuable outputs (heat, power, and hydrogen).

13) What does DOE mean by "other markets" for Technology Validation?

The synopsis indicates DOE is seeking ideas for demonstrations in application areas beyond the stationary residential/commercial segment. The specific markets are not listed in the provided synopsis, but the intent is to gather concepts where field validation data would help address technical and commercial questions.

14) Is there any funding available under this notice?

No. Because this is an RFI (not an award announcement), the listing shows no available funding.

15) Are there award ceilings or award floors listed?

No. The synopsis shows no award ceiling and no award floor, consistent with the notice being an RFI rather than a funding announcement.

16) Is there a cost share requirement?

No cost share requirement is listed in the synopsis, which aligns with the fact that this is an RFI and not a funding solicitation.

17) Who is eligible to respond?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning DOE was open to receiving input from any type of entity unless the full RFI document stated additional constraints.

18) What was the deadline to submit an RFI response?

The deadline was extended. Responses had to be received no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time on June 1, 2011.

19) What was the original due date before the extension?

The response due date was moved from May 2, 2011 to June 1, 2011.

20) How do you access the full RFI document?

DOE directed interested parties to retrieve the full RFI text through FedConnect (www.fedconnect.net) by searching public opportunities and using the reference number search method to locate the full RFI number.

21) How were questions and responses supposed to be submitted?

DOE centralized communications and required that all questions and all RFI responses be submitted via email to FCTtechvalRFI@go.doe.gov.

22) Who is the contact for help accessing the announcement electronically?

The notice provides a contact name for help accessing the announcement electronically: Caitlin M. Marquez, using the email address FCTtechvalRFI@go.doe.gov.

23) What type of opportunity category is this listed under?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and has an energy focus.

24) What is DOE planning to do with the information submitted?

The synopsis states the RFI is meant to inform DOE planning and future program direction by identifying promising demonstration and validation efforts that align with DOE's ongoing work in fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.