[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 76 (Thursday, April 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20141-20143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9703]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


National Energy Technology Laboratory; Notice of Availability of 
a Financial Assistance Solicitation

AGENCY: National energy technology laboratory (NETL), Department of 
Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of availability of a financial assistance solicitation.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the intent to issue Financial 
Assistance Solicitation No. DE-PS26-01NT40864 entitled Advanced 
University Reciprocating Engine Program. The DOE/NETL is seeking 
applications on behalf of the Office of Power Technologies in DOE's 
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, for support of 
projects that are consistent with the goals of the Advanced Natural Gas 
Reciprocating Engine Program. This solicitation, restricted to United 
States (US) universities and colleges, requests applications that will 
have a significant

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impact in achieving the program goals stated below. In order to attain 
these goals, innovative and novel concepts need to be developed and 
current obstacles need to be overcome.

DATES: The solicitation will be available on the DOE/NETL's Internet 
address at http://www.netl.doe.gov/business on or about April 13, 2001. 
All requests for explanation or interpretation of any part of the 
solicitation shall be submitted in writing and must be received by the 
Contract Specialist via E-mail or in writing not later than 4 p.m. 
local prevailing time on May 4, 2001. The Government reserves the right 
not to respond to questions submitted after this date, nor to respond 
to questions submitted by telephone or in person at any time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra A. Duncan, U.S. Department of 
Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 10940, MS 921-
107, E-mail Address: [email protected], Telephone Number: 412-386-
6137.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOE supports the development of 
promising advanced power technologies that will improve energy 
efficiency, meet or exceed emissions requirements, enhance durability, 
and lower the costs of installation and operation.
    The DOE is encouraging greater focus on a portfolio of advanced 
distributed energy systems. Current technology development efforts 
include industrial turbines, microturbines, reciprocating engines, and 
fuel cell technologies for use in industrial, commercial, institutional 
and residential applications. This solicitation focuses on development 
of technologies that will enhance the performance of advanced natural 
gas reciprocating engines. Previous solicitations have already focused 
on reciprocating engine research restricted to manufacturers and 
national laboratories. US manufacturers and suppliers of reciprocating 
engines and the Federal government are partnering to develop the next 
generation of stationary natural gas internal combustion engines. These 
advanced systems will provide significant benefits to the nation and 
will position domestic engine manufacturers to better compete in what 
is becoming a more global market with significant opportunities in 
domestic power generation markets and emerging international markets. 
The Advanced Natural Gas Reciprocating Engine Program goals are:
    1. Energy Efficiency: 50% electrical efficiency. Current spark-
ignition natural gas engines range in efficiency from 34-38%. 
Application of high temperature materials, engine sensors and controls, 
improved combustion practices, and other advances may be able to attain 
efficiencies of 50%.
    2. Environmental Emissions: NOX target of 0.1 grams per 
horsepower-hour. Currently, the best domestic emission levels are 1.0 
grams per horsepower-hour. In order to reduce NOX emissions 
by an order of magnitude advances in combustion technology, sensors and 
controls, and emission reduction systems are critical to minimize 
environmental impacts.
    3. Cost: Operating and maintenance 10% below today's costs for 
modern engines. Attaining this goal will result in $50 million savings 
to the nation between 2005--2010.
    To achieve the project objectives, DOE/NETL through the Office of 
Power Technologies' Advanced Natural Gas Reciprocating Engine Program, 
is requesting applications under the following two (2) topic areas:

Technical Topic No. 1 Ignition System Improvements

    Background/Application: Ignition systems with the best available 
technology today often do not meet customer increasing expectations for 
longer life and lower maintenance costs. Technologies now available are 
the result of high speed automotive engine applications. These 
technologies are not necessarily designed for the load and pressure 
effects that current medium speed engines require. The need for better 
ignition systems designs will increase significantly as compression 
ratios are driven higher to achieve higher engine efficiency, and as 
engines are operated leaner in order to achieved reduce levels of 
NOX emissions.
    Technical and Commercial Barriers: Technical barriers include 
limited research on high energy, long life ignition systems accompanied 
by low volume production capability of the supplier base for these 
types of systems.
    Technology Breakthrough(s) Needed: Fundamental research is needed 
to understand ignition system demands for medium speed (1200-1800 
revolutions per minute) natural gas engines, meeting customer 
expectations for life and maintenance costs. Also, research is needed 
at understanding ignition system dynamics in these engines, especially 
at the point of ignition during the beginning of the power cycle. As 
future designs will require increased cylinder pressures and rotational 
speeds, this research will be especially important as a model for 
continued developments in ignition systems.

Technical Topic No. 2 Parasitic Loss Reduction

    Background/Application: Currently, high-speed engines are believed 
to have lower frictional losses than medium speed (1200-1800 
revolutions per minute) larger bore natural gas engines. Very little 
known work has been done to lower these losses in medium speed engines. 
Improvements in this area can be translated directly into lower fuel 
consumption without suffering a corresponding increase in 
NOX emissions.
    Technical and Commercial Barriers: Due to the relatively low 
volumes of these engines, focus has mainly been placed on high-speed 
engines. Analytical models to do this work need to be refined.
    Technology Breakthrough(s) Needed: Research is needed to address 
current medium speed large bore natural gas parasitic losses. Initial 
focus could be on the piston, piston ring, and cylinder liner 
interface, although all areas of the engine system could be 
investigated. Lubricity, materials, clearances, and temperatures are 
areas of concern as well. Finally, attention should be given to 
maintaining the traditional long lives that these engines are expected 
to provide. Any proposed research concerning lubrication should focus 
on currently available oils or oil additives.
    Pursuant to 10 CFR 600.6(b) eligibility for award is restricted to 
US universities and colleges. Only universities, colleges, or 
university-affiliated research institutes located in the US and its 
territories, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Virgin 
Islands, may submit applications for consideration under this Program 
Solicitation. Submissions from university-affiliated research 
institutes must be made through the university and the university, not 
the university-affiliated research institute, will be the award 
recipient.
    DOE anticipates multiple cooperative agreement awards resulting 
from this solicitation. In accordance with 10 CFR 600.30, the DOE has 
determined that a minimum cost share of 20% will be required.
    Telephone requests, written requests, E-mail requests, or facsimile 
requests for a copy of the solicitation package will not be accepted 
and/or honored. Applications must be prepared and submitted in 
accordance with the instructions and forms contained in the 
solicitation. The actual solicitation document will allow for requests 
for explanation and/or interpretation.


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    Issued in Pittsburgh, PA on April 11, 2001.
Raymond R. Jarr,
Acting Deputy Director, Acquisition and Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 01-9703 Filed 4-18-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P