Flexible Combined Heat and Power for Grid Reliability and Resiliency | DE FOA 0001750

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001750

The "Flexible Combined Heat and Power for Grid Reliability and Resiliency" funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001750) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Energy through the National Energy Technology Laboratory. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means DOE expects to stay actively involved during the project period (for example, through technical reviews, milestone tracking, and collaboration), rather than operating as a hands-off grantor. The central aim is to support cost-shared research and development that increases the use of combined heat and power (CHP) systems that are both highly efficient and cost-effective, with an emphasis on flexibility that supports electric grid reliability and resiliency. In practical terms, the opportunity is meant to move CHP forward as an energy solution that can provide on-site electricity along with useful thermal energy, while also being capable of operating in ways that help the broader grid handle disturbances, variability, and operational stress.

The technical focus is on "flexible" CHP, which generally points to systems that can ramp output up or down, respond to changing load conditions, and potentially provide grid services while still meeting facility heat and power demands. CHP is already known for high overall efficiency because it captures and uses heat that would otherwise be wasted in conventional power generation. This FOA builds on that foundation by emphasizing improvements that make CHP not only efficient and economical, but also operationally adaptable for real-world grid conditions and resiliency needs. Projects funded under this announcement are expected to involve R&D activities that address barriers to broader CHP deployment, such as performance under dynamic operating conditions, integration with facility and grid controls, and approaches that make CHP more attractive to end users from a cost and operational standpoint.

The funding parameters indicate a maximum award size (award ceiling) of $1,500,000 per project, with approximately 10 awards anticipated. Because the FOA calls for cost-shared projects, applicants should expect to provide a share of total project costs from non-federal sources, which is a common DOE requirement intended to ensure industry or stakeholder commitment and to help accelerate commercialization or real-world deployment pathways. The eligible applicant category is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is broadly open to many entity types (such as private companies, universities, nonprofits, and others), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full FOA text.

Key administrative details include the creation date of February 21, 2018, and an original closing date of May 3, 2018, with the note that applicants must rely on the official application due date instructions contained in the full FOA. The Funding Activity Category is Energy, and the CFDA number is 81.086, which is one of the identifiers commonly used to categorize DOE assistance programs.

For logistics, the full Funding Opportunity Announcement is hosted in the EERE eXCHANGE system, which is DOE's portal for many energy efficiency and renewable energy funding opportunities. The FOA notes that instructions for submitting questions are provided in the full announcement, including separate guidance for questions about the substance of the opportunity (programmatic or technical questions) and questions about the mechanics of application submission (system or procedural questions). In other words, anyone considering applying would need to consult the FOA on EERE eXCHANGE to find the correct contact channels and the required process for inquiries, as well as the complete requirements for the application package, evaluation criteria, compliance obligations, and submission steps.

• The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Flexible Combined Heat and Power for Grid Reliability and Resiliency" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.086.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 21, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 03, 2018 Please refer to the FOA application due date information contained in the full FOA announcement. The FOA is contained in the EERE eXHANGE system.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 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.

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