Small Scale Coal Biomass to Liquids (CBTL) Production and Feasibility Study of a Commercial Scale CBTL Facility | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This opportunity from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supports efforts to advance coal-biomass-to-liquids (CBTL) technology. It emphasizes (1) small scale production activities and (2) feasibility work intended to support a future commercial scale CBTL facility.

What does CBTL stand for, and what is the basic concept?

CBTL stands for coal biomass to liquids. The program is framed around using the United States' domestic coal resources to produce liquid transportation fuels, with an added focus on blending coal with moderate amounts of biomass to improve the carbon footprint compared with coal-only approaches.

Why does the announcement emphasize energy security?

The opportunity frames CBTL as a way to use large domestic coal resources to produce liquid transportation fuels, which the announcement presents primarily as an energy security benefit.

Why is biomass blending included in a coal-to-liquids program?

The funding notice emphasizes that adding carefully chosen, moderate amounts of biomass to coal feedstocks can reduce the overall carbon footprint of the resulting fuels versus coal-only approaches, especially when paired with carbon capture and storage (CCS) and possible CO2 utilization pathways.

How does this opportunity address life cycle emissions?

Life cycle emissions performance is highlighted as a major justification. NETL references its own analysis indicating that adding biomass to coal feedstocks can meaningfully reduce life cycle CO2 emissions relative to a petroleum diesel baseline.

Does the notice provide an example of the emissions benefits?

Yes. The example cited in the notice states that roughly 20 percent less CO2 can be produced with an 8 percent biomass addition when CCS is used along with CO2 utilization.

Is the goal only to produce liquids from coal?

No. The notice indicates the government interest is not simply producing liquids from coal, but demonstrating pathways that can move CBTL toward near zero atmospheric emissions, or at least materially improved environmental performance compared with conventional petroleum fuels.

What kinds of projects were encouraged under this program?

Based on the summary, the program supported small scale production efforts and feasibility work to build credible, feasibility-level planning that can support a future commercial scale CBTL facility, with explicit attention to biomass co-feeding and the integration of carbon capture strategies.

What funding mechanism was used?

This was a discretionary grant program using cooperative agreements. That implies substantial federal involvement during the project (rather than a hands-off grant relationship).

Which agency issued the opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by NETL under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

What CFDA number is associated with this funding?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA 81.089, Fossil Energy Research and Development.

What program category does it fall under?

The summary places it under the energy science, technology, and other research and development category.

How many awards were expected?

NETL anticipated making about five awards.

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The announcement estimated a total of $3,000,000 across the program.

Were individual award amounts specified in the summary?

No. While the summarized metadata lists the funding ceiling and floor fields as zero, the summary also states the estimated total program funding and expected number of awards. Specific per-award amounts would typically be clarified in the full FOA text and negotiated based on project scope.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The announcement states that cost sharing or matching was required, meaning applicants needed to provide non-federal funds and/or qualifying in-kind contributions consistent with the cost share rules described in the full FOA.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted and generally open to any type of entity, with the caveat that specific requirements may apply in the full text of the funding opportunity announcement (FOA).

Were there any location requirements?

Yes, at least one explicit site requirement is mentioned for Area of Interest 2: the proposed CBTL plant site had to be located in the United States.

What does the U.S. plant site requirement suggest about the program's intent?

It suggests that at least part of the program aimed to translate technical and economic studies into a U.S.-deployable project concept, not purely a theoretical assessment.

When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was posted/created on April 27, 2012. The original and final closing date was June 7, 2012.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on November 27, 2012.

What mission or policy goals does this opportunity align with?

The summary states alignment with the DOE Coal Program goal of ensuring abundant, affordable domestic energy with near zero atmospheric emissions, supporting economic prosperity, strengthening energy security, and improving environmental quality.

What role do CCS and CO2 utilization play in this opportunity?

The summary indicates that pairing biomass blending with carbon capture and storage (CCS) and potential CO2 utilization pathways is central to lowering the overall carbon footprint and improving life cycle emissions performance.

Where was applicants directed to look for additional information?

The announcement referenced FedConnect as the platform for additional information.

Who was the listed contact for access issues or official inquiries?

The listed contact was Raelynn Honkus at Raelynn.Honkus@netl.doe.gov.