[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6197-6199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2795]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Competitive Financial Assistance for the Office of 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

AGENCY:  U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION:  Notice of Competitive Financial Assistance Solicitation, State 
Science Initiative for Applied Research, Development and Demonstration 
Projects.

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SUMMARY:  The Department of Energy (DOE) is announcing a competitive 
solicitation for applications for cooperative agreements to pursue 
applied research, development and demonstration (including field 
testing) involving energy efficiency. Demonstrations will be limited to 
field tests which provide critical operational feedback to researchers 
and/or manufacturers for the purpose of improving technical performance 
or lowering costs.
    It is estimated that funding of approximately $6 million will be 
available for 7 to 10 awards under this solicitation in fiscal year 
2000. Seven priority areas of interest have been identified through a 
collaborative planning process with the States during the past year: 
(1) Bio-based products and bioenergy; (2) Fuel cells and microturbines; 
(3) Petroleum industry; (4) Schools; (5) Combined heat and power and 
distributed generation; (6) Data acquisition; and (7) Transportation. 
The awards will be for a period of one to three years.
    Proposals will be subject to the objective merit review procedures 
for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). 
Eligibility under this solicitation is restricted to state energy 
offices and state energy research organizations. These organizations 
may enter teaming arrangements with industry, DOE national 
laboratories, private educational institutions, non-profit 
organizations, and Native American organizations.
    Applications by DOE management and operating contractors (M&O) will 
not be eligible for award. However, applications that include 
performance of a portion of the project, not to exceed 50 percent of 
the total effort, by an M&O contractor will be eligible provided that 
the proposed use of any such entity is specifically authorized in 
writing by the DOE Contracting Officer or authorized designee 
responsible for the M&O.
    This solicitation provides opportunities to leverage funds for 
important Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) designed to 
advance technologies that promote energy efficiency. It is anticipated 
that a minimum of 20 percent non-Federal cost-sharing will be required 
for all projects receiving awards. Any proposed cost-sharing above the 
minimum 20 percent will be given favorable consideration in the 
selection process.

DATES:  The formal solicitation document, which will include greater 
detail about specific program areas of interest, application 
instructions, due dates and evaluation criteria, is expected to be 
issued later in February 2000. Prospective applicants will be 
encouraged to submit a pre-application, not longer than two pages, 
within 20 days following issuance of the solicitation. All pre-
applications must be submitted by an eligible applicant. A response to 
the pre-application encouraging or discouraging a formal application 
will be communicated to the applicant. Submission of a pre-application 
is not a requirement for submitting an application under this 
solicitation.

ADDRESSES:  The formal solicitation document will be disseminated 
electronically as Solicitation No. DE-PS36-00GO10499 through the Golden 
Field Office's World Wide Web site at http://www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicitations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Contact the U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Golden Field 
Office, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401. The Contract Specialist is 
James Damm, at FAX (303) 275-4788 or e-mail at [email protected]. All 
questions or comments concerning this announcement must be in writing 
and should be directed to the attention of Mr. Damm. The preferred 
method of submitting questions and/or comments is through e-mail. Only 
questions and comments submitted to Mr. Damm will be considered. 
Questions and/or comments requiring coordination with EERE program 
officials will be directed by Mr. Damm to the cognizant offices.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The Office of EERE implements DOE's 
strategic objectives of increasing the efficiency and productivity of 
energy use, while limiting environmental impacts; reducing the 
vulnerability of the U.S. economy to disruptions in energy supplies; 
ensuring that a competitive electric utility industry is in place that 
can deliver adequate and affordable supplies with reduced environmental 
impacts; supporting U.S. energy, environmental, and economic interests 
in global markets; and delivering leading-edge technologies.
    The purpose of the planned solicitation is to pursue applied 
research, development, and demonstration (including field testing) with 
state energy offices and state energy research organizations in the 
following technology areas (or combination of technology areas) as 
described below:

1. Bio-Based Products and Bioenergy

    Applications will be accepted on applied research and development 
for promoting the use of crops, trees and residues to (a) replace 
conventional feedstocks to make chemical products; or (b) enhance 
existing, or produce new, forest or agricultural (non-food, non-feed) 
products. We anticipate that proposals will include, but are not 
limited to, R&D on: (a) Biotechnology for accelerating the development 
or deployment of plant feedstocks that could be used by companies to 
perform biochemical and other conversions to produce chemicals and 
other products; (b) plant physiology controlling important traits 
affecting crop and forest productivity; (c) improved production methods 
and practices to ensure that an adequate supply of plant-derived 
material is available for industrial use; or (d) improved conversion 
methods or practices for the production of bio-based chemicals and 
products. Priority will be given to projects that integrate the areas 
of plant science and production with processing and utilization of new 
chemical, forest or agricultural (non-food, non-feed) products. Such 
integrated projects that also show a linkage to the biopower and 
biofuels technologies are encouraged.

2. Fuel Cells and Microturbines

    Applications will be accepted for applied research and technology 
field tests focused in both the buildings and transportation sectors. 
Proposals in the fuel cells technology area should include, but are not 
limited to, applied research and field testing of: (a) Proton exchange 
membrane (PEM) fuel cells adapted for use in residential and light 
commercial facilities, particularly the operation of PEM fuel cells in 
a variety of existing building types (e.g., small commercial retail, 
light manufacturing, multi-family residential) under various operating 
scenarios; (b) other types of fuel cells (e.g., molten carbonate, solid 
oxide) in commercial and industrial facilities; (c) fuel cell 
performance in on-road vehicles under various operating conditions; and 
(d) vehicle fleets as a test bed for improving current systems or 
advancing technologies to generate hydrogen from natural gas reforming 
or through electrolysis.
    In the microturbine technology area, cooperative projects should 
focus on applied research and field testing over a range of 
applications, geographic locations, and operating systems: (a) To 
demonstrate technical performance reliability and durability and to 
provide feedback for further technology development; and (b) to 
demonstrate

[[Page 6199]]

microturbine technology improvements or upgrades, including components 
or subsystems (e.g., gas compressors, recuperators, and combustors).

3. Petroleum Industry

    Applications will be accepted for applied research and testing of 
motors and other energy-using equipment in domestic oil fields to 
assess usage and modify or replace equipment to reduce energy costs. 
Examples of efforts with the states could include, but are not limited 
to: (a) Improving sensor and control technologies for reducing 
electricity demand in the oil fields; (b) developing models for field 
energy use assessments; and (3) developing guidelines for equipment 
replacement.

4. Schools

    Applications will be accepted for applied research and technology 
field validations/operational tests which accelerate adoption of new 
technologies to improve the energy efficiency of school facilities. 
This work should be focused in the following areas:
    (a) Building Technologies--Conduct applied research and technology 
field testing through an integrated buildings approach in a range of 
technology areas, such as: space conditioning and refrigeration; other 
energy-efficient appliances; super-efficient windows and lighting; 
productivity enhancing approaches (e.g., increased daylighting); and 
peak shaving/load shifting technologies that reduce peak air 
conditioning demand during the day.
    (b) Advanced Technologies--Conduct applied research and field 
testing of (i) distributed generation technologies, including but not 
limited to, fuel cell, microturbine and cogeneration applications in 
school facilities; and (ii) advanced energy technologies for use in 
school facilities.
    (c) Technology Integration--Develop a mechanism that will take the 
results of the building and advanced technologies research and field 
testing and integrate them into a comprehensive program which supports, 
but is not limited to, the development of technical design guidelines 
for new school construction and renovations which will be used by 
architects, engineers and product manufacturers. Emphasis also will be 
placed on building design and financing templates and related 
facilitation of financial assistance aimed at integrated building 
efficiency improvements.

5. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Distributed Power

    Applications will be accepted for work involving distributed power 
and combined heat and power technologies. This work includes, but is 
not limited to, applied research and field testing to address:
    (a) Transmission constraints, interconnect barriers, and to 
encourage strategic placement of distributed power technologies, 
consistent and streamlined siting and permitting regulations, and an 
equipment pre-certification program to avoid long and costly permitting 
delays;
    (b) New commercial and industrial development and urban infill 
redevelopment for distributed generation utilizing several DOE 
developed technologies (e.g., fuel cells, microturbines, industrial 
turbines, photovoltaics, wind, solar geothermal and energy storage) and 
demand-side management measures to examine systemic operational 
parameters and capabilities;
    (c) Advanced distributed power and combined heat and power 
technologies at state and federal facilities; and
    (d) Hybrid applications (e.g., hybrid wind/fuel cell/microturbine 
applications) for institutional and commercial application.

6. Data Acquisition

    Applications will be accepted for: (a) Reviewing and developing 
complementary State and Federal energy data sets; (b) expanding energy 
data sets; and (c) redesigning federal and state data collection 
instruments to evaluate the changing structure of the electric power 
industry and the natural gas industry.

7. Transportation

    Emphasis should be placed upon applied research and technology 
field validations/operational tests designed to maximize the benefits 
of clean and efficient vehicle technologies. These activities include, 
but are not limited to: (a) Testing alternative fuels performance in 
on-road vehicles under operating conditions to test propulsion systems; 
(b) research on operating a refueling infrastructure for alternative 
fuel vehicles; (c) transportation applications, such as fuel cells, 
hybrid propulsion systems, motors, controllers, and sensors.
    Additional information about the programs of the Office of EERE can 
be obtained at the Office's Internet site at http://www.eren.doe.gov/ee.html.

    Issued in Golden, CO
    Dated: February 1, 2000.
Jerry Zimmer,
Procurement Director, Golden Field Office.
[FR Doc. 00-2795 Filed 2-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P