[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20341]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Golden Field Office; Notice of Federal 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 600.7(b)(2) is announcing its 
intention to make a financial assistance award of $3,200,000 to the 
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for a twelve month period, to 
evaluate commercial-prototype wind turbines in typical utility 
operating environments. The program will entail a 50/50 cost sharing 
between DOE and EPRI.

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: J.W. Meeker, Contract Specialist. The 
telephone number is 303-275-4748. Dr. Paul K. Kearns is the Contracting 
Officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is not an unsolicited application. The 
proposed effort is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed 
in September 1992, between DOE and EPRI that outlines the roles of each 
in deploying and evaluating commercial-prototye wind turbines in 
typical utility operating environments under a collaborative venture 
known as the Utility Wind Turbine Verification Project.
    The programmatic evaluation [see 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2)(ii)(D)] 
completed for this proposal resulted in a recommendation to fund this 
grant application for the following reasons:
    Wind energy in the U.S. has made significant progress in moving 
toward broad use as an alternative to fossil-fueled conventional 
generation. The number of wind turbines installed continues to increase 
and costs are dropping. However, there still exists a strong need to 
develop more cost-effective, widely-deployable machines, and to 
evaluate the technical and economic performance of new machines 
approaching commercial reality. In support of the implementation of the 
Energy Policy Act of 1992, the DOE Wind Program initiated the Utility 
Wind Turbine Verification Program with EPRI, to deploy and evaluate 
commercial-prototype wind turbines in typical utility operating 
environments.
    The collaboration between DOE and EPRI will fund commercialization 
activities and provide a means to bridge the technology transfer gap 
between DOE wind turbine development activities and utility purchases. 
The joint efforts will increase utility participation and acceptance of 
U.S. manufactured advanced wind turbines by accelerating utility 
adoption by 3-5 years and enhancing entry into new markets.
    The probability of success is high because of the unique 
relationship between DOE and EPRI, and the over 15 years of experience 
EPRI brings into the program in the field of wind energy.
    The staff of EPRI is uniquely qualified to provide this service. 
Mr. Earl Davis, Manager Wind Power Integration, EPRI, is a highly 
qualified manager with over 15 years of experience in the wind energy 
business. As the manager for all wind activities at EPRI, Mr. Davis is 
considered to be the most qualified individual available to accomplish 
this project.
    The proposed budget was reviewed and is considered to the 
appropriate and adequate.
    The major public benefit to be derived from this project is the 
hastening of wind power commercialization, and the realization of its 
environmental and energy-security benefits. DOE views the EPRI/DOE 
collaboration as a logical extension of its significant Federal 
investment in turbine development activities that are assisting 
industry to incorporate cutting edge technologies into prototype wind 
turbines. As utility interest and commitment to wind energy grows an 
opportunity has been created to achieve major reductions in greenhouse 
gas emissions, while contributing to increased economic productivity by 
accelerating wind technology development and commercialization through 
collaborative actions with key stakeholders.
    Both EPRI and DOE have ongoing programs to foster the development 
and application of wind energy as an alternative domestic supply 
option. The broad objective of both the DOE and EPRI programs is aimed 
at ensuring the diversified regional deployment of commercially 
available cost-competitive, utility-grade wind turbines for the 2000 
time-frame. The project to be funded is a logical continuation of work 
currently being funded by DOE through the DOE Wind Program. No other 
potential applicants have the experience or the capability to do this 
work in the amount of time and for the amount of money that is proposed 
by the applicant.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on August 5, 1994.
John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 94-20341 Filed 8-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M