[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6193-6195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2796]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Chicago Operations Office, Office of Industrial 
Technologies;Notice of Solicitation for Financial Assistance 
Applcations for Cooperative Research and Development for Advanced 
Microturbine Systems

AGENCY: Chicago Operations Office, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces its interest in 
receiving applications for federal assistance. The purpose of this 
research is to advance the state of development of one or more cost-
effective technologies for integration into Advanced Microturbine 
Systems that will be commercialized and used in power and/or combined 
heat and power generation. In order to reach this goal, component and 
subsystem development, testing integration and demonstration of 
optimized and fully integrated microturbine systems will be performed.

DATES: The solicitation document will be available on or about February 
25, 2000. Applications are due on or about April 12, 2000. Awards are 
anticipated by August 15, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The solicitation will be available on the internet by 
accessing the DOE Chicago Operations Office, Acquisition and Assistance 
Group home page at http://www.ch.doe.gov/business/acq.htm under the 
heading ``Current Solicitations'', Solicitation No. DE-SC02-00CH11016. 
Completed applications referencing Solicitation No. DE-SC02-00CH11016 
must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy, Chicago Operations 
Office, Communications Center, Building 201, Room 168, 9800 South Cass 
Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439-4899, ATTN: Tonja L. Stokes, Acquisition and 
Assistance Group.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tonja L. Stokes at 630/252-2136, U.S. 
Department of Energy, 9800 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439-4899, 
by facsimile at 630/252-5045, or by electronic mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Scope of Work covers applied research in 
five work areas as described below as Tasks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. In 
addition to these tasks, the Scope of Work includes Subtasks A and B. 
Subtask A will require the participant to provide a report that will 
identify and quantify the potential technical market for microturbine 
systems. Subtask B will require the participant to provide a 
commercialization plan which supports the proposed technological 
development.
    The Tasks represent an increasing progression of maturation stages 
for technology development. Task 1 involves concept research and 
development; Task 2 involves subsystem component design and 
development; Task 3 involves microturbine modifications for integration 
of advanced technologies; Task 4 involves microturbine system assembly 
and testing, and Task 5 involves pre-commercial demonstration. 
Depending on the current maturation of proposed technologies, the work 
may start at any task if prior work has been performed that would 
satisfy completion or sufficient progress of the previous task(s). For 
example, an applicant with an innovative concept but limited 
development experience for that concept may decide to apply only under 
Task 1. Whereas, applicants with more developed concepts may elect to 
bypass the initial tasks. Applications may address any combination or 
portions of the tasks. While it is not mandatory for applications to 
address only sequentially numbered tasks (e.g., applying under Tasks 1, 
3 and 4 is allowable), there must be a logical sequence of the tasks to 
be performed based on the nature of the work to be performed.
    The ultimate maturation of technologies will be reached upon the 
attainment of the solicitation objectives in a pre-commercial 
demonstration of 8000 hours (Task 5). Although it is the intention of 
this solicitation to support development of microturbine systems that 
will so culminate, there also is relevancy in gaining a better 
understanding of advanced technologies and their impact on 
microturbines. In such a case, development of a completed commercial 
system may not be feasible. For example, development may end prior to 
the maturation state of Task 5, or Task 5 may be scheduled to complete 
less than the 8000 hours (but more than 4000 hours as discussed below) 
identified in the solicitation as a goal for commercialization. 
Regardless of the tasks proposed, applications will raise the 
maturation level of the concept relative to the solicitation 
objectives.
    Insofar as Subtask A and B are concerned, all participants will 
complete the program and planning report required by Subtask A, which 
will become part of the lowest numbered Task proposed. Additionally, 
participants performing work under Tasks 3, 4 and/or 5 will complete 
the commercialization plan required by Subtask B as a part of the 
lowest numbered Task proposed that is equal to or greater than 3.
    All work proposed to be performed under an application must be 
scheduled for completion within the five year life expectancy of this 
program.
    Under Tasks 1 and 2 that follow, the work may be performed with 
respect to any test device or turbines that could serve as a logical 
and cost effective intermediate basis for developing a technology for 
microturbines. However, any such technology developed under Tasks 1 and 
2 must have applicability to microturbines.
    Under Tasks 3, 4 and 5 that follow, all work must be performed with 
respect to microturbines and the demonstration required under Task 5 
must be performed on a microturbine. In performing this work, one or 
more such turbines may be used.
    Work under all tasks will be enhanced by the participation of an 
end user. For these tasks, this solicitation encourages the 
coordination of technical and administrative activities with an end 
user. Long-term demonstration under Task 5 should be conducted at an 
end user that is committed by the applicant. We encourage the 
demonstration to be conducted at an Industry of the Future Company.

[[Page 6194]]

    Task 1--The starting point of this task shall be, as a minimum, a 
technological concept(s) with prior experimental evidence of its 
potential for meeting the solicitation objectives. The participant will 
identify the form, function, and fit of all components necessary to 
execute the proposed technology. The participant will also develop 
preliminary designs compatible with the properties of the advanced 
material system(s). The participant will also develop preliminary 
designs for the components. Testing on preliminary articles may be done 
at a scale suitable to confirm the design parameters that were used and 
to give qualitative and quantitative indications that the components 
will perform as planned.
    Task 2--The participant will complete detailed designs of the 
selected subsystem components. The design process will include the 
investigations of all process and economic parameters for integrating 
the selected components into a viable microturbine system. The 
components will be manufactured and the sub-system will be assembled. 
Development and testing will be done to verify and optimize the overall 
approach, to provide operating and control parameters, and to establish 
allowable microturbine operating ranges, energy efficiency, sensitivity 
to fuel variability, and other factors affecting the performance and 
competitiveness of the microturbine system.
    Task 3--The design of a microturbine will be adapted in parallel to 
component development to assure compatibility, optimum fit, and 
functionality. The work under this task will integrate hardware, 
controls, and operating procedures for startup, steady operation over 
the usual power range (for example 50% to 100% of rated output), 
planned changes (such as anticipated shutdown or transitions of 
operating load), and unexpected changes in power output (such as lost 
load) and determining such parameters as energy efficiency and 
emissions.
    Task 4--The applicant shall design and fabricate a complete 
microturbine system that utilizes the subsystems components developed 
under Task 2 or elsewhere. The subsystem components shall exhibit the 
form, function, and fit compatible with the modified microturbine 
developed either under Task 3 or elsewhere. The applicant shall prove, 
either by subsystem rig testing or by demonstrating on a microturbine, 
the ability of the subsystem components to perform as planned. Such 
testing shall include those sensors and controllers needed to maintain 
testing over the design operating range of the turbine. Test results 
shall include relationships among performance, efficiency, emissions, 
temperatures, and all other relevant parameters that quantify and 
qualify the system for commercial delivery.
    The completion of Task 4 would result in the assembly of an 
advanced industrial gas turbine that incorporates components completed 
under this task or elsewhere. The advanced industrial gas turbine shall 
be ready for insertion into a commercial package that is suitable for 
shipment, installation, and demonstration in the field under Task 5.
    Task 5--A host site(s) will be selected for demonstration of the 
microturbine system developed by the completion of Task 4 or elsewhere. 
The participant will integrate the turbine with the balance of plant 
equipment that makes the microturbine system compatible with the needs 
of a specific host site(s). The completion of Task 5 would result in an 
8000-hour demonstration of an advanced microturbine that can be 
reasonably expected to meet one or more project objectives. At a 
minimum, the demonstration shall comprise 4000 hours of operation at a 
host site that is compatible with an operating rate of at least 4000 
hours per annum.
    The applicant will complete a coordinated plan for the 
demonstration that incorporates the perspectives of all relevant 
parties, including the host site. The plan will also assign 
responsibilities on all matters necessary to execute the demonstration 
plan, such as business arrangements, balance of plant equipment, site 
construction, site integration, periodic inspections of hardware, 
visitations of third parties, data acquisition at the host site to 
verify expected benefits, and obtainment of environmental, 
construction, operating, and other permits.
    In support of the Office of Industrial Technologies and the 
nation's industries, it is preferred that the demonstration be 
conducted at an Industry of the Future Company. If it is not feasible 
to conduct the demonstration at an Industry of the Future Company or if 
there are valid reasons to do the demonstration elsewhere, a host site 
other than an Industry of the Future Company may be proposed. Host 
sites comprising buildings or natural gas and electric utility sites 
may be relevant to programs of the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy, Office of Building and Community Systems, and the 
Office of Power Technologies respectively. In such cases, the result of 
the demonstration will be coordinated with these offices as feasible 
and appropriate by the DOE program manager.
    The demonstration shall be representative of significant market 
segments of the distributed power generation industry. As a result, the 
successful demonstration at the host site will be expected to exemplify 
the resolution of the typical barriers (such as technical, 
environmental, industry acceptance, and control issues related to an 
interconnection to the existing local utility transmission and 
distribution grid) that impede the widespread adoption of distributed 
generation. In this regard, all hours of operation may be accumulated 
under the demonstration while the host site is interconnected to the 
existing local utility grid that exists for the routine transmission 
and distribution of electric power. Accordingly, the balance of plant 
equipment may be sufficient to generate and condition such electric 
power, and all hardware may be provided for interconnection to the 
local utility grid.
    Subtask A--Subtask A is required for any applicant selected for 
award and will be performed in conjunction with the lowest numbered 
task which the participant will do work. The completed report must be 
received within 90 days of award of the cooperative agreement and will 
be submitted in accordance with topical report requirements.
    With emphasis on the Industries of the Future Companies, but not 
excluding other applicants, the report will further define completed 
distributed generation and combined heat and power systems likely to be 
available at the successful completion of this project. The participant 
will identify and quantify the potential technical markets for such 
systems. In areas such as energy efficiency, performance, cost, and 
emissions, the participant will provide detailed rationale that 
supports these projections. All barriers such as the lack of uniform 
grid connection standards that will impact on the technical market will 
be identified. However, any barriers that are out of the control of the 
participant shall be deemed not to impact on the projected technical 
market.
    Subtask B--Subtask B is required for any applicant selected for 
award that proposed on Tasks 3, 4, and/or 5 and will be performed in 
conjunction with the lowest numbered task proposed. The completed 
report must be received within 180 days of initiation of the lowest 
numbered Task (3-5) under which the participant will do work. This 
report will be submitted in accordance with topical report 
requirements.

[[Page 6195]]

    The main impetus for this work is the commercial implementation of 
efficiency, clean, and cost-effective microturbines in distributed 
generation and combined heat and power system(s). It is essential that 
a commercialization plan support the proposed technological 
development. Participants doing work under Tasks 3, 4, or 5 shall 
complete commercialization plans and strategies for all relevant 
functions in the commercialization process such as cost-effective 
manufacturing, marketing, production volumes, and support for the 
participant's microturbine system. The commercialization plan will 
emphasize market applications in the Industries of the Future 
Companies.
    As applicants may apply under one or more of the five tasks within 
the solicitation's Scope of Work, there is a wide range in the number 
of potential awards and award values. DOE expects to award six (6) to 
ten (10) cooperative agreements under this solicitation. It is 
estimated that individual awards will range in value between 
approximately $500,000.00 and $10,000,000.00 of DOE funding and will 
require recipient cost sharing. A minimum non-federal cost sharing 
commitment of 30% of the total cost for Tasks 1 and 2, 45% of the total 
cost for Tasks 3 and 4, and 60% of the total cost for Task 5 is 
required.
    Estimated DOE funding is $40 million over a five-year period. DOE 
reserves the right to fund any, all, or none of the applications 
submitted in response to this solicitation. All awards are subject to 
the availability of funds.
    Any non-profit or for-profit organization or other institution of 
higher education, or non-federal agency or entity is eligible to apply, 
unless otherwise restricted by the Simpson-Craig Amendment. In 
addition, applicants must satisfy the requirements of the Energy Policy 
Act in order to be eligible for award.

    Issued in Argonne, Illinois on February 1, 2000.
James R. Bieschke,
Acquisition and Assistance Group, Acting Group Manager.
[FR Doc. 00-2796 Filed 2-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P