Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001239
Apply for DE FOA 0001239
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Technology Development and Assessment for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (SCO2) Based Power Cycles" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.089 Fossil Energy Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 30, 2015 and posted on Mar 16, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 15, 2015 See Funding Opportunity Announcement Cover Page and Section IV, Application and Submission Information.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $9,400,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 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.
- See Funding Opportunity Announcement, Section III, Eligibility Information.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) issued this Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0001239) to accelerate technology development for power cycles that use supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) as the working fluid. SCO2-based cycles are attractive because they can potentially deliver higher thermal efficiency and lower overall plant cost compared with conventional steam Rankine cycles, especially in high-temperature applications where compact turbomachinery and smaller heat exchangers can reduce footprint and balance-of-plant expenses. The opportunity is framed around moving SCO2 systems closer to full-scale demonstration and commercial readiness by targeting one of the most persistent technical and economic bottlenecks: the recuperator.
In an SCO2 recompression closed Brayton cycle (RCBC), the recuperator is a critical high-effectiveness heat exchanger that recovers thermal energy from the turbine exhaust and feeds it back into the cycle. This recuperation is a major reason SCO2 cycles can achieve high efficiencies, but it also creates demanding requirements for the heat exchanger itself. Recuperators must operate at high temperatures and pressures, withstand significant differential pressures, maintain very high thermal effectiveness, and do so with acceptable pressure drops on both hot and cold sides. At the same time, they need to be manufacturable at scale and at a cost that does not erase the economic advantages of the SCO2 concept. NETL is explicitly signaling that current recuperator cost and performance limitations are viewed as a major barrier to large-scale deployment, which is why the FOA focuses so heavily on high-temperature recuperator solutions.
The FOA seeks applications proposing focused research and development that leads to innovative recuperator designs, materials, and manufacturing approaches suited to the operating environment of SCO2 RCBC systems. A key emphasis is scalability: NETL is looking for modular concepts and strategies that can be adapted across the wide range of anticipated SCO2 applications, which can vary substantially in unit size, thermal input, and temperature. In practical terms, that means proposing recuperator technologies that can be manufactured in repeatable modules, assembled into larger systems without excessive integration complexity, and tailored to different duty points without a complete redesign each time. The end goal is a recuperator approach that is not just technically capable, but also cost-effective enough to be commercially adopted for large-scale SCO2 power cycle installations.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this was a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning the government would typically expect substantial involvement during the project rather than acting purely as a pass-through funder. The FOA anticipated a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1) with an estimated total funding level of about $9.4 million, and it required cost sharing, indicating applicants were expected to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources. The activity category is Energy, tied to CFDA 81.089 (Fossil Energy Research and Development), which reflects NETL's historical role in advancing high-efficiency power generation technologies relevant to fossil, hybrid, and other high-temperature thermal energy sources.
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of entity types could apply (industry, universities, nonprofits, national labs, etc.), subject to any specific conditions described in the FOA's eligibility section. The opportunity was posted March 16, 2015, with an original closing date of May 12, 2015, later extended to May 15, 2015, and it was archived August 17, 2015. For access issues, the listed point of contact was Diane M. Franklin at NETL (304-285-4609, franklin@netl.doe.gov), and additional information was distributed via FedConnect.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted push to de-risk and lower the cost of the heat-exchange hardware that makes high-efficiency SCO2 cycles possible. By prioritizing high-temperature capability, modular scalability, and manufacturability, NETL was aiming to close the gap between promising laboratory-scale recuperator concepts and the robust, economical components required for real-world, large-scale SCO2 power plants.
Funding Opportunity FAQs (DE-FOA-0001239)
What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?
This Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), DE-FOA-0001239, was issued to accelerate technology development for power cycles that use supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) as the working fluid. The focus is on pushing SCO2 systems closer to full-scale demonstration and commercial readiness by addressing a key bottleneck: the recuperator.
What technology area is NETL trying to advance with this FOA?
The FOA targets SCO2-based power cycles, particularly the SCO2 recompression closed Brayton cycle (RCBC). SCO2 cycles are highlighted as attractive because they can potentially provide higher thermal efficiency and lower overall plant cost than conventional steam Rankine cycles, especially in high-temperature applications.
Why are SCO2 power cycles considered attractive compared with steam Rankine cycles?
According to the FOA description, SCO2-based cycles can potentially achieve higher thermal efficiency and lower overall plant cost. In high-temperature applications, they may benefit from compact turbomachinery and smaller heat exchangers, which can reduce footprint and balance-of-plant expenses.
What is the main technical focus of the FOA?
The FOA focuses heavily on high-temperature recuperator solutions. NETL identifies current recuperator cost and performance limitations as a major barrier to large-scale deployment of SCO2 power cycles.
What is a recuperator in the context of an SCO2 RCBC system?
In an SCO2 recompression closed Brayton cycle, the recuperator is a critical high-effectiveness heat exchanger. It recovers thermal energy from the turbine exhaust and feeds it back into the cycle, which is a major contributor to the high efficiency potential of SCO2 systems.
Why is the recuperator such an important component for SCO2 cycles?
Recuperation is described as a major reason SCO2 cycles can achieve high efficiencies. However, achieving this benefit requires a recuperator that can deliver very high heat-exchanger effectiveness under demanding operating conditions.
What operating challenges must proposed recuperators address?
The FOA describes recuperators as needing to operate at high temperatures and pressures, withstand significant differential pressures, maintain very high thermal effectiveness, and do so with acceptable pressure drops on both the hot and cold sides.
What cost or commercialization issues does NETL want applicants to address?
NETL signals that recuperators must be manufacturable at scale and at a cost that does not erase the economic advantages of the SCO2 concept. The goal is a recuperator approach that is technically capable and cost-effective enough for commercial adoption in large-scale SCO2 installations.
What types of project approaches is NETL seeking?
The FOA seeks focused research and development leading to innovative recuperator designs, materials, and manufacturing approaches suited to the SCO2 RCBC operating environment.
Is scalability a requirement in this FOA?
Yes. A key emphasis is scalability. NETL is looking for modular concepts and strategies that can be adapted across a wide range of anticipated SCO2 applications, which may vary substantially in unit size, thermal input, and temperature.
What does NETL mean by "modular" recuperator concepts?
The FOA frames modularity as technologies that can be manufactured in repeatable modules, assembled into larger systems without excessive integration complexity, and tailored to different duty points without requiring a complete redesign each time.
How many awards were anticipated under this FOA?
The FOA anticipated a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1).
What is the estimated funding amount for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding level was about $9.4 million.
What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This was a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism. That means the government would typically expect substantial involvement during the project rather than acting purely as a pass-through funder.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The FOA required cost sharing, meaning applicants were expected to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.
What is the activity category and CFDA number associated with the FOA?
The activity category is Energy. It is tied to CFDA 81.089 (Fossil Energy Research and Development).
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of entity types could apply (such as industry, universities, nonprofits, national labs, and others), subject to any specific conditions described in the FOA's eligibility section.
When was the FOA posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 16, 2015.
What were the closing date and extension details?
The original closing date was May 12, 2015, and it was later extended to May 15, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The FOA was archived on August 17, 2015.
Where was additional information distributed?
Additional information was distributed via FedConnect.
Who is the point of contact for access issues?
The listed point of contact for access issues was Diane M. Franklin at NETL. Phone: 304-285-4609. Email: franklin@netl.doe.gov.
In plain terms, what is NETL trying to accomplish with this FOA?
The FOA represents a targeted effort to de-risk and lower the cost of the heat-exchange hardware (the recuperator) that enables high-efficiency SCO2 cycles. By prioritizing high-temperature capability, modular scalability, and manufacturability, NETL aimed to move from promising laboratory-scale recuperator concepts toward robust, economical components for real-world, large-scale SCO2 power plants.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy
Next opportunity: Solar Big Data and Informatics Request for Information
Previous opportunity: Annual Survey of Probation and Parole, 2015 2018
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DE FOA 0001239
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0001239) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Solar Big Data and Informatics Request for Information Apply for DE FOA 0001318 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001318 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NEXT GENERATION ELECTRIC MACHINES MEGAWATT CLASS MOTORS Apply for DE FOA 0001208 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001208 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| RFI Risk and Uncertainty Management in Geothermal Exploration Apply for DE FOA 0001328 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001328 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| TRIBAL ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY GRANTS Apply for BIA TEDC 15 FA 0002 Funding Number: BIA TEDC 15 FA 0002 Agency: Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Building America Program Technology to Market Roadmaps Apply for DE FOA 0001326 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001326 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| University Coalition for Fossil Energy Research Apply for DE FOA 0001267 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001267 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR LOW IMPACT HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT Apply for DE FOA 0001286 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001286 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RFI Cities Leading through Energy Analysis and Planning (Cities LEAP) Apply for DE FOA 0001332 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001332 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Energy Conservation Apply for DTMA91R1500011 Funding Number: DTMA91R1500011 Agency: Maritime Administration Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,330,000 |
| Geothermal Concepts and Approaches to Validate Mineral Recovery Apply for DE FOA 0001327 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001327 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RFI Facilitating the Development of the Offshore Wind Industry in the United States Apply for DE FOA 0001350 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001350 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SOLAR BANKABILITY DATA TO ADVANCE TRANSACTIONS AND ACCESS (SB DATA) Apply for DE FOA 0001319 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001319 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI) Gas Clean Up for Fuel Cell Applications Workshop Report Apply for DE FOA 0001331 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001331 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER CONCENTRATING OPTICS FOR LOWER LEVELIZED ENERGY COSTS (COLLECTS) Apply for DE FOA 0001268 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001268 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| RFI Solar PV on Commercial Buildings Apply for DE FOA 0001356 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001356 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Technologies Directed at Capturing Carbon Dioxide from Low Concentration Sources to Support the Coal Industry Apply for DE FOA 0001342 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001342 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI) High Impact Commercial Building Technology 2016 Apply for DE FOA 0001352 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001352 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) Grant Apply for USDA FSA 2015 22 Funding Number: USDA FSA 2015 22 Agency: Farm Service Agency Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement Bioenergy Technologies Incubator 2 (No. DE FOA 0001320) Apply for DE FOA 0001343 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001343 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for information (RFI) Advanced Biofuel Blends in Small Engines Apply for DE FOA 0001373 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001373 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0001239", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.