RFI: Advanced Thermal Insulation & Composite Material Compatibility for Cold/Cryogenic Compressed Gas Fuel Storage for Onboard Vehicles Applications | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this DOE opportunity?

This notice is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). It is an information-gathering effort focused on improving onboard vehicle fuel storage systems that operate at sub-ambient, cold, or fully cryogenic temperatures, with a strong emphasis on long-term performance of advanced thermal insulation.

2) Is this a funding opportunity announcement (FOA)?

No. DOE states this is not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and it does not accept applications for awards. It is strictly intended to collect written input to inform DOE planning and potential future program directions.

3) Are any awards expected from this RFI?

No. The notice indicates no awards were expected because the posting is an RFI rather than a funding solicitation.

4) What is the main technical focus of the RFI?

The central theme is advanced thermal insulation for onboard vehicle fuel storage systems operating at sub-ambient, cold, or cryogenic temperatures, and how that insulation performs over long periods of real-world use. DOE is seeking input on the state of the art, remaining technical gaps, and promising research directions.

5) What types of fuels and storage modes are covered?

The RFI discusses alternative fuels such as hydrogen or natural gas, and storage approaches including compressed cold gas, liquefied cryogenic fuel, and storage via adsorption on porous materials.

6) Why is thermal insulation performance so important for onboard cold or cryogenic storage?

DOE highlights that even small heat gains into a tank or storage system can lead to boil-off, pressure rise, reduced efficiency, and operational challenges for vehicles. The RFI is aimed at insulation approaches that minimize heat leak to improve practical vehicle operation.

7) What specific insulation-related issue is DOE emphasizing?

A major emphasis is maintaining vacuum stability in insulated systems over time. Many high-performance cryogenic insulation concepts rely on vacuum jackets or vacuum spaces to reduce conductive and convective heat transfer, and DOE is seeking insight on how to preserve that vacuum environment for long durations under real-world conditions.

8) What causes vacuum performance to degrade in these systems?

DOE notes several potential contributors to vacuum degradation over a vehicle lifetime, including permeation, outgassing, leakage, seal failures, thermal cycling fatigue, or damage. The RFI seeks information about these issues and approaches to mitigate them.

9) What real-world operating conditions does DOE want the storage system to withstand?

DOE specifically references real-world conditions such as vibration, impacts, temperature swings, repeated fueling and defueling, and extended parking durations, and asks for insights on maintaining performance and vacuum stability under these stresses.

10) How do advanced composites fit into this RFI?

DOE is requesting information about the compatibility and performance of advanced composite materials in cold and cryogenic storage architectures. Composite pressure vessels and composite overwrapped structures are attractive for reducing weight, which is critical for onboard vehicle applications.

11) What composite material challenges does DOE call out for cryogenic and sub-ambient use?

DOE identifies potential challenges including microcracking, differential thermal contraction between liners and overwraps, loss of matrix toughness, fiber-matrix interface issues, permeability changes, and durability concerns under combined mechanical and thermal loads.

12) What does DOE want to learn about integrating composites into cryogenic storage systems?

DOE is looking for information on how advanced composites can be incorporated without compromising performance, safety, manufacturability, or long-term reliability.

13) Does the RFI address testing and validation?

Yes. DOE requests information about accelerated test methods that can predict long-term performance of insulation systems and material sets used in cold and cryogenic fuel storage.

14) What kinds of components or concepts does DOE mention for accelerated testing?

DOE references accelerated screening or qualification of insulation concepts, vacuum systems, seals, getters, multilayer insulation (MLI) configurations, composite structures, liners, and associated components.

15) What is the goal of the accelerated test methods DOE is asking about?

The stated intent is to identify testing protocols that realistically represent long-duration exposure and repeated cycling, while compressing the timeline needed to evaluate degradation, failure modes, and real-world applicability for onboard systems expected to last many years.

16) Who could respond to this RFI?

Eligible respondents are effectively unrestricted (open to any type of entity). DOE indicates it is seeking perspectives from industry, national laboratories, universities, material suppliers, tank manufacturers, and other stakeholders.

17) Will DOE answer questions about the RFI?

No. DOE states it will not respond to questions about the RFI, reinforcing that the purpose is collection of written input rather than an interactive solicitation.

18) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and program category listed in the notice?

The notice identifies Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001420. It is categorized under Energy and references CFDA 81.087, with the agency listed as DOE-GFO.

19) How were responses submitted?

Responses were required to be submitted electronically as email attachments to H2Storage@ee.doe.gov.

20) What was the submission deadline?

The deadline for responses was 5:00 PM EDT on November 6, 2015.

21) Where was the full announcement posted?

The full announcement text was posted on the EERE Exchange website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.

22) When was the RFI posted?

The notice indicates a posting date of October 19, 2015, consistent with a short response window typical of RFIs intended to gather timely technical feedback.