[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 116 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14827]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 17, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Golden Field Office; Notice of Financial Assistance Award to 
Electric Power Research Institute

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of financial assistance award in response to a non-
competitive financial assistance application.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) pursuant to the DOE 
Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR Sec. 600.7(b)(2) is announcing its 
intention make a financial assistance award to the Electric Power 
Research Institute to perform a study on the next generation geothermal 
power plant.

ADDRESSES: Questions regarding this announcement may be addressed to 
the U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Blvd., 
Golden CO 80401, Attention: Ruth E. Adams, Contract Specialist or at 
(303) 275-4722. The Contracting Officer for this action is John W. 
Meeker and the Project Officer is Jeffrey L. Hahn.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposal was a solicited application. 
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) issued a Request for 
Proposal (RFP), RFP3657-01 ``Next Generation Geothermal Power Plant 
(NGGPP)--Phase 1 Studies'' on June 2, 1993. The purpose of the RFP was 
to conduct studies that would expedite development of the next 
generation of geothermal power plants. This includes development, 
evaluation and comparison of power plant concepts and ranking of the 
suitability of these concepts for various geothermal resources. After a 
competitive evaluation process, EPRI selected the Ben Holt Company to 
perform the study. Negotiations with the Department of Energy (DOE) for 
additional funding resulted in 3 additional power plant concepts to be 
added to the scope of work. Competition for this effort would not be 
appropriate for this effort since EPRI has already gone through a 
competitive process and it would have a significant impact on the 
continuance and completion of the study.
    The proposed project will contribute to the DOE mission of ``* * * 
providing the scientific foundation [and] technology * * * necessary to 
achieve efficiency in energy use, diversity in energy sources, and 
access to technical information * * *''. The results of the study will 
be published, presented at several geothermal conferences and made 
available to the geothermal industry and to the public. The proposed 
study to be completed by the Ben Holt Company are in harmony with the 
direction of the Geothermal Energy Conversion Program.
    The objectives of this effort are to evaluate the feasibility, 
efficiency, environmental impacts and the economics of geothermal power 
plant technologies. This study is envisioned to be vital to developers 
in determining which technology to use to most efficiently utilize 
their geothermal resource.
    Technologies that will be covered through this study are the 
following: Commercial air-cooled binary plants; commercial flash 
plants; advanced binary cycles, which includes the use of mixed and 
alternative working fluids, alternative cooling systems, advanced 
turbines and supersaturated turbine expansion; the Kalina cycle, which 
uses an ammonia-water mixture as the working fluid and regenerative 
pre-heating and partial vaporization; advanced flash concepts that will 
incorporate the use of equipment advances and cycle modifications; the 
use of rotary separator turbines in lieu of steam flash tanks; sub-
atmospheric flash cycles; hot dry rock; steam flash/binary hybrid 
plants; and geothermal/natural gas hybrid plants.
    The above listed technologies will be optimized and rated for 
various geothermal resources. The geothermal resources that will be 
used in this evaluation provide a cross section of possible temperature 
and pressure ranges available.
    The probability of meeting the objectives listed above are very 
high. The Ben Holt Company has been involved in the geothermal industry 
for over 30 years, and the individuals involved have the experience and 
education that are needed and required for this study.
    The staff of the Ben Holt Company are qualified and positioned to 
provide this service. Part of the competitive process accomplished by 
EPRI was to verify that the applicants personnel were qualified to 
preform this task. DOE has also verified that the individuals involved 
in this study have the appropriate education and experience.
    The Ben Holt Company's base of operations is an office in Pasadena, 
California, and is fully capable of meeting their needs.
    The budget proposed for the anticipated work was reviewed and is 
considered to be appropriate and adequate.
    The public benefit to be derived from the proposed study will be an 
evaluation that shows utilities, independent power producers and 
developers how to optimize the geothermal resources that are available 
to them. This study will also show the economics and the environmental 
benefits of using geothermal energy.
    The evaluation accomplished through the proposed cooperative 
agreement support the geothermal energy conversion program's direction 
and objectives. EPRI has competitively chosen the Ben Holt Company to 
perform this evaluation. Therefore, issuing a solicitation for a 
competitive bid to accomplish a study of the Next Generation Geothermal 
Power Plant would be inappropriate and would have a significant adverse 
impact on the accomplishment and completion of the desired report.

John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, Golden Field Office.
[FR Doc. 94-14827 Filed 6-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M