For items with 2008 or earlier deadlines, click here.
For items with a 2009 deadline, click here. Items are in order based on due date, with most recent being at the top.
For items with a 2010 deadline, see below.
Sustainable Communities
The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development requests proposals for the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program. This program will support metropolitan and multijurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments in a manner that empowers jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of: 1) Economic competitiveness and revitalization; 2) Social equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity; 3) Energy use and climate change; and 4) Public health and environmental impacts.
$98 million expected to be available, award range $100K to $5 million.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Foundational Programs. The Foundation Programs support research, education, and extension as well integrated programs that address key problems of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of agriculture, including farm efficiency and profitability, ranching, renewable energy, forestry (both urban and agroforestry), aquaculture, rural communities and entrepreneurship, human nutrition, food safety, biotechnology, and conventional breeding.
Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
1) Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment - Microbial Communities in Soil and Agricultural Water Sciences. $4.5 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $400K. Letters of Intent due 5/3/10, final proposals due 8/23/10. For more info, contact Ann Lichens-Park at apark@nifa.usda.gov.
2) Agriculture Systems and Technology - Engineering Approaches for Improved or Alternative Management Systems to Safeguard Animal Welfare: $4 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $700K. Letters of Intent are due 4/14/10, final proposals due 7/8/10. For more info, contact Margo Holland at mholland@nifa.usda.gov.
3) Agriculture Systems and Technology - Prosperity of Small and Medium-Sized Farms and Rural Communities: $7 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $400K. Letters of Intent are not required, final proposals due 7/14/10. For more info, contact Suresh Sureshwaran at ssureshwaran@nifa.usda.gov..
4) Agriculture Systems and Technology - Pest and Beneficial Insects in Plant Systems: $6 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $500K Letters of Intent due 4/22/10, final proposals due 6/10/10. For more info, contact Mary Purcell-Miramontes at mpurcell@nifa.usda.gov
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-85, October 28, 2009) provides for the following: SEC. 506. Specific projects contained in the report of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives accompanying this Act (H. Rept. 111-203) that are considered congressional earmarks for purposes of clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, when intended to be awarded to a for-profit entity, shall be awarded under a full and open competition. Accordingly, the Conference Report (H.Rpt. 111-278, September 30, 2009) identifies two (2) specific Congressionally-Directed Projects (CDPs) that were targeted for award to for-profit entities as follows: Research and Development of Liquid Carriers for Hydrogen Energy; Demonstration Plant for Biodiesel Fuels from Low Impact Crops. In compliance with the Appropriations Act and related conference report, DOE's Golden Field Office is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled: Offices of Fuel Cell Technologies and Biomass, FY2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act, Research,
Development and Demonstration Projects to solicit applications in the following two (2) Topic Areas: 1. Topic Area 1 - Liquid Carrier Technology for Hydrogen Storage or Delivery, and 2. Topic Area 2 - Biodiesel Fuels from Low-Impact Crops. Applicants must indicate the topic to which they are applying in their application narrative. Applicants may not submit an application that covers more than one topic area (i.e., separate applications must be submitted for separate topic areas). An applicant should not propose a project that encompasses more than one topic area.
SBA Seeking Proposals for Regional Cluster Initiatives
Applications accepted beginning July 7 to fund as many as 15 existing clusters
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today the availability of funding to support economic development and job creation through existing regional clusters. As part of its Regional Cluster Initiative, SBA will accept proposals from local and regional cluster initiatives beginning July 7 for funding of up to $600,000 per cluster to support up to 15 projects across the country. Proposals should be submitted by the cluster’s coordinating entity.
SBA’s Regional Cluster Initiative focuses on accelerating small business growth and job creation through clusters that leverage and align a region’s economic, business and workforce assets. Regional clusters are networks of organizations and businesses in a geographic area that grow through increased collaboration, efficiency and innovation.
“Clusters bring together many businesses and organizations in a region to maximize the economic strengths of that region, enhancing its ability to compete on a national and global scale,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said. “SBA is committed to providing both financial and technical assistance resources that can be a catalyst for accelerating a regional cluster’s viability and lead to sustainable economic growth and job creation.”
SBA is launching two programs within its Regional Cluster Initiative: Regional Innovation Clusters (RICs) and Advanced Defense Technologies (ADTs). Prospective offerors for both solicitations may find additional information through the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fedbizopps.gov).
Successful offerors will receive a one-year contract with an option for an additional year to provide business training, commercialization and technology transfer services, counseling, mentoring and other services that support the growth and development of small businesses in the cluster area and its industries.
SBA will select clusters across the country that meet specified criteria. In each initiative, interested offerors will be asked to demonstrate that they have the partnerships, technical capacity and local assets to support their existing regional cluster.
Regional Innovation Clusters will be assessed on the impact they will have on the region’s economic growth, creation of sustainable jobs and the opportunities the cluster provides for small businesses.
Advanced Defense Technologies
SBA is working with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to identify areas around the country where regional innovation clusters can help meet critical defense technology needs. Successful offerors that meet specified criteria will receive a one-year contract with an option for an additional year to provide business training, counseling, mentoring, matchmaking, and other services to small businesses that focus on critical DOD technologies.
Areas of high-growth potential critical to DOD include, but are not limited to, advanced robotics, advanced defense systems, power/energy innovations, cyber-security and applied lightweight materials. In each project, interested offerors will be asked to demonstrate that they have the partnerships, technical capacity, and local assets to support developing or existing regional clusters.
Experience working with DOD’s Small Business Innovative Research program and defense technology development programs is preferred. Offerors with Defense Security Service Facility Clearances who can hold security clearances and discuss classified material on site are also preferred but not required.
For questions, contact Gary Fontaine at Gary.Fontaine@sba.gov or call (202) 205-6492.
Rural Cooperative Development
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program. This program supports the establishment and operation of cooperative development centers for the primary purpose of improving the economic condition of rural areas. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: Renewable energy generation, energy conservation, and/or climate change adaptation or mitigation as strategies for quality job creation; Innovative utilization of natural resources as a strategy to expand business opportunities; and local and regional food systems as a strategy for encouraging production agriculture and related industries in new wealth creation. $7.9 million expected to be available, up to 30 awards anticipated.
Please note that this RFP was posted under Sol# RDBCP-10-02-RCDG and Sol# RDBCP-10-03-RCDG; it is unclear which Sol# is correct. (Grants.gov 6/29/10)
Agricultural and Rural Energy Audits and Renewable Energy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants. The purpose of this RFP is to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the nation’s critical energy needs. This RFP will provide support to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance.
$2.4 million expected to be available, up to 30 awards anticipated.
Responses due 7/26/10.
For more info, including Regional contacts, go to:
Refer to Sol# RDCP-10-REAP-AUDITS. (Grants.gov 5/27/10)
Climate Showcase Communities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Climate Showcase Communities. This program assists local and tribal governments in developing plans, conducting demonstrations, and implementing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while achieving additional environmental, economic, public health, and/or community benefits.
$10 million expected to be available, up to 30 awards anticipated.
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Development of Methodologies for Determining Preferred Landscape Designs for Sustainable Bioenergy Feedstock Production Systems at a Watershed Scale. The intent of this RFP is to quantify and better understand the relative impacts on the environment of different strategies for producing large quantities of intensively managed, high-yielding energy crops, and crop and forestry residues at the watershed scale.
$5 million expected to be available, up to 5 awards anticipated.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from the public on the research, development, and deployment of offshore wind demonstration projects.
DOE's Wind Program is planning a research and development program to stimulate responsible, cost-effective offshore wind energy deployment in coastal and Great Lakes regions of the country. The activities under this program would encompass the following focus areas:
Advanced technology demonstration projects that further the industry knowledge base for the benefit of all stakeholders;
Research addressing market barriers in order to facilitate deployment and reduce technical challenges facing the entire industry; and
Technology research and development that will reduce cost of offshore wind energy through innovation and testing.
Under this RFI, DOE seeks further information specific to advanced technology demonstration projects. It is anticipated that these activities will be carried out via collaborative partnerships with a wide range of eligible organizations. Strong emphasis will be placed on leveraging the activities of complementary programs, resources, and funding opportunities. Of particular interest is information that would assist the Program in targeting its resources on activities with the highest potential for positive impact to the benefit of all stakeholders, including growth of the national knowledge base.
The mission of the DOE Wind Program is to focus the passion, ingenuity, and diversity of the nation to enable rapid expansion of clean, affordable, reliable, and domestic wind power to promote national security, economic vitality, and environmental quality. For more information on how DOE works to develop and deploy wind power technologies, see the Wind and Water Power Program's Web site.
Midsize Turbine Development Projects
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Midsize Turbine Development Projects. Through this RFP, DOE seeks to accelerate the development and availability of midsize turbines for the U.S. market with the ultimate goal of commercial deployment. Specifically, DOE seeks innovative advances in midsize turbine technology development; value engineered midsize turbines with a competitive price; and increased job creation by the utilization of U.S. manufacturers and supply chain vendors.
$6.028 million expected to be available, up to 4 awards anticipated.
Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000327. (Grants.gov 5/25/10)
Biomass Research and Development Initiative
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Golden Field Office
Biomass Program
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Biomass Research and Development Initiative
Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0000341
Announcement Type: Initial Posting 000
CFDA Number: 81.087 (DOE)
Both DOE and USDA have been given responsibility to support the development of a biomass-based industry in the United States. The objectives of this responsibility are specified in section 9008(e) of FSRIA, as amended, which requires the development of:
(A) technologies and processes necessary for abundant commercial production of biofuels at prices competitive with fossil fuels;
(B) high-value biobased products –
(i) to enhance the economic viability of biofuels and biopower;
(ii) to serve as substitutes for petroleum-based feedstocks and products; and
(iii) to enhance the value of coproducts produced using the technologies and processes; and
(C) a diversity of economically and environmentally sustainable domestic sources of renewable biomass for conversion to biofuels, bioenergy, and biobased products.
USDA-NIFA and DOE are soliciting applications that integrate all three of the technical areas listed in the FCEA:
(A) Feedstocks Development,
(B) Biofuels and Biobased Products Development, and
(C) Biofuels Development Analysis.
As part of the Pre-Application submission, Applicants must include a project description that addresses the three technical areas. Applicants are encouraged to develop partnerships with other entities, as needed, to ensure that all three technical areas are adequately addressed (additional information on eligibility is provided in Section III). Pre-Applications and Applications that do not address all three technical areas will not be reviewed.
Pre-Application Due Date: 7/13/2010
5:00 PM Eastern Time
Full Application Due Date: 11/15/2010
5:00 PM Eastern Time
For the complete document regarding this opportunity, clickhere.
Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0000341
Energy Technologies to the Market
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Innovation Ecosystem Development Initiative. This RFP will support projects that create or enhance an environment to accelerate the movement of innovative energy technologies to the market.
$2.1 million expected to be available, 2 awards anticipated.
Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000356. (Grants.gov 5/21/10)
Geothermal Energy Production
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Geothermal Energy Production. Through this RFP, DOE seeks to evaluate the feasibility of and demonstrate energy production from nonconventional geothermal resources in an innovative manner. Areas of interest include: Low-Temperature Resources, Coproduced Fluids, and Geopressured Resources.
$20 million expected to be available, up to 25 awards anticipated.
Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000318. (Grants.gov 5/1/3/10)
GTP Seeks Innovative Demonstration of Energy Production from Non-conventional Geothermal Resources
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) has released a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that seeks innovative demonstration of energy production from non-conventional geothermal resources in the following topic areas:
Low-Temperature Geothermal Fluids at temperatures up to 300°F
Geothermal Fluids Co-produced from productive, unproductive, or marginal oil and/or gas wells; other hydrocarbon production; or mineral recovery/mining operations
Geopressured Resources that show potential for economic recovery of heat, kinetic energy, and gas.
Innovation may include innovative cooling systems (e.g., air, water, or hybrid systems), use of innovative working fluids, the use of more efficient heat exchanger materials, and/or maximization of energy utilization via combination of electricity generation and direct technologies.
GTP’s continued efforts with industry, academia, and DOE's national laboratories to develop innovative geothermal energy technologies will establish geothermal energy as an economically competitive contributor to the U.S. energy supply.
Applications are due July 9, 2010.
For more details, visit FedConnect and search for DE-FOA-0000318 under Public Opportunities.
Defense Energy Support Center seeks RECs for Transfer
The Defense Logistics Agency seeks 320,604,000 kWh of Renewable Energy Certificates, for ultimate transfer to the U.S. Air Force and various Federal Civilian customers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) is accepting funding applications under the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels.
The program supports the production of biofuels - which includes cellulose, sugar and starch, crop residue, vegetative waste material, animal waste, food and yard waste, vegetable oil, animal fat and biogas - by providing payments to advanced biofuel producers. Those eligible for funding must produce at a rurally located advanced biofuel biorefinery.
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for High-Impact Supply Chain R&D for PV Technologies and Systems. The objective of this RFP is to identify and accelerate the development of cross-cutting and unique products or processes that are expected to have a disruptive impact on the PV industry.
Areas of interest include but are not limited to: Flexible barrier or protective coatings; Transparent conductors; and High performance glass.
Up to $40 million expected to be available, up to 20 awards anticipated.
Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000234. (Grants.gov 4/21/10)
Efficiency and Renewables in Rural America Added 05/06/2010
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements, under the Rural Energy for America Program. This RFP will provide support to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.
$51.5 million expected to be available, up to 2,000 awards anticipated.
Refer to Sol# RDBCP-10-REAP-RES-EEI. (Grants.gov 4/30/10)
USDA Issues 2010 REAP Funding Notice
(April 26, 2010) Today, the USDA issued the Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The announcement can be downloaded here (PDF) and focuses on grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Two more notices are expected in the following days for energy technical assistance and for feasibility studies.
A total of $87 million is available for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements, leaving $9.9 million for energy technical assistance and $2.4 million for feasibility studies.
The deadline for applications to be submitted to state rural development offices is June 30, 2010.
Advanced Water Treatment Projects
The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, requests proposals for Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) Pilot and Demonstration Project Grants. This RFP will support projects that address the technical, economic, and environmental viability of treating and using brackish groundwater, seawater, impaired waters, or otherwise creating new water supplies within a specific locale. The adoption and use of AWT is a crucial element for addressing Western water issues.
Applicants must be located in AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, NB, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY, AS, GU, CNMI or the VI.
$2 million expected to be available, 4 awards anticipated.
Responses due 6/29/10.
For more info, contact Stephanie Bartlett at sbartlett@usbr.gov or go to:
El Paso Electric Issues its 2010 All Sources Request for Proposals
El Paso Electric (EPE) is issuing its All-Sources Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek supply-side, including renewable energy resources, and/or demand-side proposals to meet its load requirement in 2015. EPE will consider low-cost and reliable electric power supply and load management capacity resources that best meet its need of up to 300 MW by May 1, 2015. EPE will consider meeting its load requirement through a combination of dispatchable supply-side and demand-side resources proposed in response to this RFP.
EPE encourages all interested supply-side and demand-side resource providers to participate in its RFP process.
A “Notice of Intent to Bid”, Attachment 8.1 of the RFP, should be submitted by 5 p.m. MST on June 22, 2010.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Cynthia Cardona at ccardona@epelectric.com or 915-543-5782 at per the instructions in the RFP.
To access the RFP, please click on the link below.
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the National Administrator of the Solar Instructor Training Network. This RFP seeks to address the shortage of qualified personnel in the downstream solar installation workforce and increase the ability of the U.S. solar workforce, educators, and employers to meet the changing needs of the solar industry. Project should focus on teaching individuals how to perform high-quality installations, uphold best practices in worker safety, adequately convey important installation project information to customers and code officials, and otherwise decrease costs for businesses and consumers by adopting best practices.
Up to $4.5 million expected to be available, 1 award anticipated.
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the PV Manufacturing Initiative, for projects that will support accelerated development for the U.S. PV industry.
Areas of interest include: 1) University-Focused: For Universities to conduct PV manufacturing R&D projects, and 2) Industry-Focused: For Industry to accelerate the development and implementation of PV manufacturing-related technologies through collaborative and non-collaborative models.
$125 million expected to be available, up to 5 awards anticipated.
Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000237. (Grants.gov 4/21/10)
Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program. This RFP addresses the pressing need to significantly increase the rate and total number of low-income residential energy retrofits in a manner consistent with the President’s goals of creating a green workforce and weatherizing one million homes nationally per year.
Priority areas include: 1) New and non-traditional providers and developing new partnerships, 2) Leveraging financial resources in addition to Federal funds, and 3) Improving the effectiveness of low-income weatherization through the use of new materials, technologies, behavior-change models, and/or processes.
$30 million expected to be available, up to 15 awards anticipated.
Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-00000309. (Grants.gov 4/22/10)
Building Retrofit Markets and Energy Efficiency Actions
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for State Energy Program (SEP) Strengthening Building Retrofit Markets and Stimulating Energy Efficiency Action. This RFP will support projects to advance policies, programs, and market strategies that accelerate job creation and reduce energy bills, while achieving energy and climate security for the nation. Lead applicant must be the state or territorial energy office administering the annual SEP formula grant.
Areas of interest include: 1) Strengthening Building Retrofit Markets - To assist in developing approaches for retrofitting residential and commercial buildings, and 2) Stimulating Energy Efficiency Action - To assist in generating the necessary policy and program frameworks to support investment in cost-effective energy efficiency for the long-term.
$28 million expected to be available, up to 18 awards anticipated.
Tribal Border Water and Wastewater - Regions 6 and 9
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regions 6 and 9, request proposals for the Tribal Border Infrastructure Program. This program will fund high priority wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects for federally recognized Indian Tribes in Indian Country within 62 miles north of the U.S. and Mexico Border.
$1.5 million expected to be available, up to 6 awards anticipated.
Refer to Sol# EPA-R9-WTR10-10-004. (Grants.gov 4/2/10)
Renewable Energy Technology Grants (SEP Program 2.1)
Under the State Energy Program (SEP), the Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will provide grant funding to eligible public entities for qualified renewable energy technologies.
Purpose of Grants: To partner with local governments, school districts, state agencies and public institutes of higher education to demonstrate renewable energy technologies by installing small scale systems.
Budget Allocation (Amount Available to Award): $1,152,179 million in competitive grants for the State Fiscal Year 2010.
Who Qualifies: Texas cities, counties, independent school districts, state agencies and public institutes of higher education.
Deadline Information: This RFA notice was published on the SECO website and also posted to the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) after 10:00am Central Zone Time (CZT) on Friday, April 9, 2010.
All written inquiries, questions, and Non-mandatory Letters of Intent must be received at the above-referenced address, also called Issuing Office, not later than 2:00 p.m. (CZT) on Friday, April 16, 2010.
Applications must be delivered to the Issuing Office to the attention of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; Assistant General Counsel, Contracts; Attn: SECO Renewable Energy Grants no later than 2:00 p.m. (CZT), on Friday, May 7, 2010.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant must be a Texas city, county, independent school district (ISD), state agency or public institute of higher education.
Maximum award per applicant - $250,000.
Competitive grants, reimbursement basis.
The Comptroller and SECO will select Renewable Energy Technology Grant recipients based largely on these considerations:
Education and outreach value of the project for students, staff and/or the general public
Levels of matching funds committed by applicant
Ready to go projects given priority
Location of proposed system
Entities ability to display renewable energy production information via the internet, kiosk and/or signage.
Green Job Training
The U.S. Department of Labor requests proposals for Community-Based Job Training Grants (CBJTGs). CBJTGs supports workforce training for high-growth/high-demand industries through the national system of community, technical, and tribal colleges. DOL encourages applicants to consider targeting high growth or emerging green industries.
$125 million expected to be available, award range generally $1 to $3 million.
Refer to Sol# SGA-DFA-PY-09-07. (Grants.gov 3/15/10)
TCEQ is currently soliciting grant applications for technology projects focused on reducing or eliminating air-pollutant emissions
TCEQ is currently soliciting grant applications for technology projects focused on reducing or eliminating air-pollutant emissions, primarily nitrogen oxides (NOx), from mobile and stationary sources in Texas. The TCEQ will consider making grants to support the development of emissions-reducing technologies that would be eligible for TERP funding and other new emission-reduction technologies with commercial potential.
Application acceptance was closed on April 26, 2010.
For background information, Guidelines, FAQS, and forms, visit:
Mr. Colin Donovan Air Quality Division, MC 204 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality P.O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 78711-3087
Call for Bids - Texas Bioenergy Study - Tx. Dept. of Ag./SECO
COMMISSIONER STAPLES CALLS FOR PROPOSALS TO IDENTIFY STRATEGIES TO ENSURE TEXAS IS A LEADER IN BIOENERGY
Project will develop initiative for diversifying energy resources and improving economic growth
AUSTIN — As diversifying the state's energy resources becomes increasingly important, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced the Texas Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Comptroller's State Energy Conservation Office, is requesting proposals from entities to conduct a comprehensive bioenergy study.
"Diversifying the state's energy mix is a critical component to the economic future of Texas," Commissioner Staples said. "Creating a renewable fuels strategy that does not abandon market principles puts us on a path to energy independence while offering job growth and opportunities for rural economic development."
The report will identify the state's bioenergy needs and investigate opportunities for Texas within the renewable energy industry. The goal of the study is to provide TDA, the Texas Bioenergy Policy Council, the Texas Bioenergy Research Committee and the Texas Legislature with an in-depth review of the capabilities and challenges of the Texas bioenergy industry.
The study will be partially funded by a cooperative agreement with the Comptroller's State Energy Conservation Office. "With more than 15 different energy sources, Texas is the national leader in energy production," Comptroller Susan Combs said. "The state's vast energy resources extend to bioenergy opportunities."
In 2009, the Texas Bioenergy Policy Council and the Texas Bioenergy Research Committee were created by the 81st Texas Legislature to make the state a leader in biofuel and biomass-based electricity production. Commissioner Staples chairs the 18-member board of the Texas Bioenergy Policy Council, which is comprised of policy makers and industry experts.
The bioenergy industry study must examine various bioenergy feedstocks; the logistical challenges related to the production and transport of biomass; and the integration of bioenergy to meet the state's energy demands.
State, local and government agencies, individuals, private entities and universities may submit proposals until April 26.
State Energy Program (SEP) - Building Efficiency and Retrofit Program Updates The Comptroller's State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) has issued a Round II Notice of Loan Fund Availability (NOLFA) / Request for Application (RFA) for the SEP's Building Efficiency and Retrofit Program.
Issuance of Request for Application: March 5, 2010
Deadline for Non-Mandatory Letters of Intent to Apply (2:00 p.m. CST): March 12, 2010
Deadline for Submission of Questions (2:00 p.m. CST): March 12, 2010
Official Responses to Questions Posted: March 19, 2010, or as soon thereafter as practical
Deadline for Submission of Applications (2:00 p.m. CST): April 22, 2010
Sample Loan Agreement (PDF, 307KB) - As a reference, this document would be executed if a loan award is made. Items in the Sample Loan Agreement in red would be completed by the Comptroller's office upon agreement execution.
If you have problems accessing the link above, please try or copy/paste the following URL into your browser window:
If you have questions the SECO team is here to help you. Please call our SECO Stimulus Phone Line at (512) 463-7392 or Contact SECO Stimulus via our online web form.
ARPA-E seeks to develop new technologies to enable the widespread deployment of cost-effective grid-scale energy storage. While many valuable applications for grid-scale storage exist, this program focuses on developing energy storage technologies to balance the short-duration variability in renewable generation. By investing in the development of grid-scale energy storage technology, this funding opportunity will allow the U.S. to assume global technology and manufacturing leadership in the emerging and potentially massive global market for stationary electricity storage infrastructure.
This program seeks to develop revolutionary new storage systems that provide energy, cost, and cycle life comparable to pumped hydropower, but which are modular and can be widely implemented at any location across the power grid. Specifically, two areas will be considered:
1) proof of concept storage component projects focused on validating new, over-the-horizon electrical energy storage concepts, and
2) advanced system prototypes that address critical shortcomings of existing grid-scale energy storage technologies.
Ultimately, technologies developed through this program will be scalable to the megawatt and megawatt-hour levels of power and energy capacity. This program will complement other Department of Energy grid-scale energy storage efforts by focusing on technology prototyping and proof-of-concept R&D efforts rather than pilot demonstration projects.
Concept Paper Registration Deadline: 4/2/2010
Concept Paper Upload Deadline: 4/2/2010
Full Application Submission Deadline: TBD
For further questions, related attachments, or to apply online, click here
ARPA-E seeks to develop energy efficient cooling technologies and air conditioners (AC) for buildings to save energy and reduce GHG emissions from: (a) primary energy consumption due to space cooling and (b) refrigerants used in vapor compression systems. ARPA-E seeks innovative research and development approaches to increase energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions due to cooling of buildings in the following areas:
1) cooling systems that use refrigerants with low global warming potential; 2) energy efficient air conditioning (AC) systems for warm and humid climates with an increased coefficient of performance (COP); and 3) vapor compression AC systems for hot climates for re-circulating air loads with an increased COP.
The unique challenge for the U.S. market is to develop technologies that can be retrofitted into current cooling systems. For developing economies, there is a large market for new cooling technologies. The development of these technologies will reduce GHG emissions and significantly increase U.S. technological lead in rapidly emerging clean energy industries.
Concept Paper Registration Deadline: 4/2/2010
Concept Paper Upload Deadline: 4/2/2010
Full Application Submission Deadline: TBD
For further questions, related attachments, or to apply online, click here.
ARPA-E seeks to invest in materials for fundamental advances in soft magnetics, high voltage switches, and reliable, high-density charge storage. These investments will be coupled to advanced circuit architectures, and scalable manufacturing processes with the potential to leapfrog existing power converter performance while offering reductions in cost.
Specifically, three categories of performance and integration level will be considered:
1) fully-integrated, chip-scale power converters for applications including, but not limited to, compact, efficient drivers for solid-state lighting, distributed micro-inverters for photovoltaics, and single-chip power supplies for computers,
2) kilowatt scale package integrated power converters by enabling applications such as low-cost, efficient inverters for grid-tied photovoltaics and variable speed motors, and
3) lightweight, solid-state, medium voltage energy conversion for high power applications such as solid-state electrical substations and wind turbine generators.
Deploying advanced power electronics could provide as much as a 25-30 percent reduction in electricity consumption – or 12 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. Innovations in power electronics could lead to significant reduction in costs, which would promote U.S. businesses through technological leadership.
Concept Paper Registration Deadline: 4/2/2010
Concept Paper Upload Deadline: 4/2/2010
Full Application Submission Deadline: TBD
For further questions, related attachments, or to apply online, click here.
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Energy for Innovation Hub - Fuels from Sunlight. The purpose of the Hub will be to assemble the most talented scientists and technologists to focus intense research and development efforts on the development of an effective solar energy to chemical fuel conversion system. The system should operate at an overall efficiency and produce fuel of sufficient energy content to enable transition from bench-top discovery to proof-of-concept prototyping.
$122 million expected to be available, 1 award anticipated.
A Letter of Intent is strongly encouraged but not required and is due 1/29/10, final proposals due 3/29/10.
The U.S. EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) is pleased to provide its Partners and other interested parties information about a Request for Proposals (RFP) from the City of Victoria, Texas.
The City of Victoria, Texas issued an RFP to identify the most qualified firm to develop a landfill gas (LFG) energy project utilizing LFG from the City of Victoria Landfill. The responses to the RFP are expected to include finance, design, permitting, construction, ownership, and operation of LFG collection, handling, and utilization in an LFG energy project.
In general, one of the following projects is expected in response to this RFP:
1. Generation of electricity for sale to an electric utility; 2. Direct thermal utilization of the LFG on-site or by piping the gas to a nearby thermal energy-user; or 3. Processing of LFG on-site to produce a high-Btu fuel product for pipeline sale or other alternative fuel use.
A mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held at 10:00 AM (CST) on March 3, 2010 at 700 Main Center, Room 204, Victoria, TX 77901. Failure of a proposer to be present for the entire meeting shall render a proposer to be deemed nonresponsive and their proposal shall not be considered.
Representatives of the City will be available at the meeting to answer questions and explain the intent of this RFP. Questions about, or requested modifications to, the RFP documents will be addressed, to the extent possible. After the pre-proposal meeting, the City may prepare written documentation in response to questions that were raised at the pre-proposal meeting.
Proposers may participate in a voluntary tour of the City of Victoria Landfill after the pre-proposal conference, beginning at 1:00 PM (CST) on March 3, 2010 at the landfill office at 18545 FM 1686, Victoria, TX. No additional tours of the landfill will be scheduled.
Any questions about this RFP must be in writing, and delivered to the City no later than 4:00 PM (CDT) on March 17, 2010. All written inquiries should be delivered by hand, certified mail, fax, or e-mail to:
Jerry James Director of Environmental Services City of Victoria 700 Main Center, Suite 113 Victoria, TX 77901 e-mail:
Proposals will be received until 2:00 PM (CDT) on March 24, 2010 at the City of Victoria Purchasing Office.
EPA is providing this information as a service but does not endorse the information or opinions included therein.
Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
The National Science Foundation requests proposals for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. This program, administered on behalf of the White House, seeks to identify outstanding individual mentoring efforts or organizational programs designed to enhance the participation of groups underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is expected that each award will be used to continue the recognized activities. The nominees must have served in a described mentoring role for at least five years prior to nomination.
$400K expected to be available, up to 16 awards anticipated.
Responses due 3/23/10.
For more info, contact Daphne Rainey at drainey@nsf.gov or go to:
ARPA-E is seeking new ways to make liquid transportation fuels - without using petroleum or biomass - by using microorganisms to harness chemical or electrical energy to convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels. Many methods of producing advanced and cellulosic biofuels are under development to lessen our dependence on petroleum and lower carbon emissions.
Most of the methods currently under development involve converting biomass or waste, while there are also approaches to directly produce liquid transportation fuels from sunlight and carbon dioxide. Although photosynthetic routes show promise, overall efficiencies remain low.
The objective of this topic is to develop an entirely new paradigm for the production of liquid fuels that could overcome the challenges associated with current technologies. ARPA-E requests innovative proposals which can overcome these challenges through the utilization of metabolic engineering and synthetic biological approaches for the efficient conversion of carbon dioxide to liquid transportation fuels. ARPA-E specifically seeks the development of organisms capable of extracting energy from hydrogen, from reduced earth-abundant metal ions, from robust, inexpensive, readily available organic redox active species, or directly from electric current. Theoretically such an approach could be 10 times more efficient than current photosynthetic-biomass approaches to liquid fuel production.
Full Applications must be received by ARPA-E by March 15, 2010, no later than 5:00PM Eastern Time.
Concept Paper Registration Deadline: 1/15/2010
Concept Paper Upload Deadline: 1/15/2010
Full Application Submission Deadline: 3/15/2010
For further details, related attachments, and to apply online, click here.
Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage in Transportation (BEEST) - In this topic, ARPA-E seeks to develop a new generation of ultra-high energy density, low-cost battery technologies for long electric range plug in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs). The development of high energy, low cost batteries represents the critical barrier to wide-spread deployment of EVs, which if achieved would have a profound impact on U.S. oil security, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic growth.
The ambitious goals for this program are largely based upon the aggressive long-term EV battery goals set forth by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium, a public-private collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy and leading U.S. automotive companies. If successful, new battery technologies developed under this program will give electrified light-duty vehicles range, performance, lifetime, and cost required to shift transportation energy from oil to the domestically powered U.S. electric grid. ARPA-E's objective is to fund high-risk, high reward research efforts that will promote leadership in this emerging EV battery market.
Full Applications must be received by ARPA-E by March 15, 2010, no later than 5:00PM Eastern Time.
Concept Paper Registration Deadline: 1/15/2010
Concept Paper Upload Deadline: 1/15/2010
Full Application Submission Deadline: 3/15/2010
For further details, related attachments, and to apply online, click here.
The National Science Foundation requests proposals for Energy for Sustainability. This program supports fundamental research and education in energy production, conversion, and storage and is focused on energy sources that are environmentally friendly and renewable. Sources of sustainable energy include: Sunlight, Wind/Wave, Biomass, and Geothermal.
Responses due 3/3/10.
For more info, contact Gregory Rorrer at grorrer@nsf.gov or go to:
RPSEA Releases the Technology Transfer Services RFP Small Producer Program, Ultra-Deepwater Program and Unconventional Resources Program
RPSEA is pleased to release the request for proposals (RFP) for Technology Transfer Services. All interested parties should immediately open and review the RFP documents located on this page (Current Request for Proposals) found under the Business with RPSEA menu button on the RPSEA website. RPSEA has previously selected for award 71 projects under the 2007 and 2008 programs – Small Producer Abstracts, Unconventional Resources Abstracts and Ultra-Deepwater Abstracts. This solicitation requests proposals for the provision of technology transfer services for the projects awarded in 2007, 2008, 2009 and additional RPSEA awards. The Technology Transfer contract will be a cost reimbursable, task-order, support services contract, where work will only be accomplished when specifically authorized by RPSEA. Potential contractors are requested to submit proposals describing their capabilities to perform the activities specified in the tasks in the Scope of Work (SOW) in accordance with the listed Selection Criteria. The anticipated number of hours per year that support services may be required is approximately 160 hours (20 days), but the contract will not include a guarantee that a minimum number of hours will be used.
Proposals are due March 2, 2010, 4 p.m. Central Time.
The questions period will be open until February 16, 2010 and must be sent by e-mail to Contract Director Wiley Wells at wwells@rpsea.org.
Danette Mozisek Communications Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America 1650 Highway 6, Suite 300 Sugar Land, TX 77478 Office: 281.313.9555 Direct: 281.690.5513 Fax: 281.313.9560 dmozisek@rpsea.org www.rpsea.org
Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy
The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture request proposals for Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy: A Joint Research Funding Opportunity Announcement USDA, DOE. This RFP will support research that leads to the improved use of biomass and plant feedstocks for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. Specifically, applications are sought for fundamental research on plants that will improve biomass characteristics, biomass yield, or sustainability.
Grants through two programs at the Texas Department of Rural Affairs are available to rural cities or counties for renewable energy-related projects
Renewable Energy Demonstration Pilot Program (REDPP)
The REDPP has $500,000 in grant money available. Priority is given to projects that use renewable energy such as wind power or solar power to help meet energy needs for water treatment or wastewater treatment facilities.
Applicants for these grants must demonstrate that more than 50 percent of the residents benefitting from these projects meet low-to-moderate income levels set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Renewable Energy for Desalination Program
The desalination program has $1.5 million in grants for projects using wind powerto help desalinate brackish groundwater, with the potential to provide new drinking water supplies for rural communities. (Another $1.5 million will be available in fiscal 2011.)
Applicants for the desalination program do NOT have to meet the HUD low-to-moderate income requirements.
Application forms and guides, including scoring criteria, for both grant programs will be posted on the TDRA Web site soon: See:
Two workshops will be held for those interested in applying for either of these grant programs.
Austin workshop:
10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 20, 2009
Room 220S
Stephen F. Austin building
1700 N. Congress
Austin
Sweetwater workshop:
10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 28, 2009
DA Pevehouse Library Classoom #128
Texas State Technical College
300 Homer K Taylor Drive
Sweetwater
The Austin workshop will be broadcast via the internet.
To register for either workshop, or to access the Austin workshop via the internet, email Travis Brown, TDRA Renewable Energy Program Manager, at travis.brown@tdra.state.tx.us
American Electric Power Service Corporation (AEPSC), a subsidiary of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) is administering this Request for Proposals (RFP) on behalf of its seven utility subsidiaries. AEPSC is requesting bids which will result obtaining up to approximately 1,100 MW of nameplate Renewable Energy Resources that have a placed-in-service date of January 1, 2008 or after, which are or will be interconnected to the PJM Interconnection (PJM) or the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and are capable of being operational no later than December 31, 2011.
The general schedule for the RFP process is shown below (See also Section 3.1):
Check back frequently as additional information will be posted when available.
Anticipated RFP Schedule
06/01/2009 - Issue RFP
Pre-Bid Meeting (Webinar)
- PJM projects June 16, 2009 1:00 p.m. EPT - SPP projects June 18, 2009 1:00 p.m. EPT
Proposal Due Dates
PJM ONLY - 2009 Projects: June 30, 2009 12:00 noon EPT
The U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), requests proposals for Recovery Act - Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage in Transportation. ARPA-E, a new agency of DOE, supports the development of high risk/high payoff applied science and technology innovations that will have a positive disruptive impact on the energy landscape. Through this RFP, ARPA-E seeks the development of a new generation of ultra-high energy density, low-cost battery technologies for long electric range plug in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles.
$35 million expected to be available, 10 awards anticipated.
Concept Papers are required and are due 1/15/10, full proposals due early March 2010.
For more info, contact ARPA-E@hq.doe.gov or go to:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requests proposals from small businesses for the Small Business Innovative Research Program, Phase I. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, Rechargeable, High Efficient, High Capacity Energy Storage.
