[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8792-8793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4514]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


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

AGENCY: National Energy Technology Laboratory, 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-PS26-02NT41416 entitled Advanced 
University Reciprocating Engine Program. The Department of Energy, 
National Energy Technology Laboratory, 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 is restricted to applications from 
only United States (US) universities and colleges for research 
activities that will make a significant impact on achieving program 
goals. In order to attain these goals, innovative and novel concepts 
need to be created and current obstacles need to be overcome.

DATES: The solicitation will be available on the ``Industry Interactive 
Procurement System'' (IIPS) webpage located at http://e-center.doe.gov 
on or about February 15, 2002. Applicants can obtain access to the 
solicitation from the address above or through DOE/NETL's Web site at 
http://www.netl.doe.gov/business. All requests for technical 
explanation or interpretation shall be submitted through IIPS and must 
be received not later than 5 p.m. Eastern time on March 17, 2002. The 
Government reserves the right not to respond to technical questions 
submitted after this date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra A. Duncan, MS 921-107, U.S. 
Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, PO Box 
10940, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940, E-mail 
Address: [email protected], Telephone Number: 412-386-5700.

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 the development 
of technologies that will enhance the performance of advanced natural 
gas reciprocating engines. This solicitation is restricted to US 
colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education. 
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, the applicant shall succinctly 
describe the proposed technical approach to solve the emissions 
challenge for reciprocating engines. Specifically, university research 
applications are being solicited for development of aftertreatment 
concepts for natural gas reciprocating engines. The nature of the 
application in response to this solicitation should be structured for 
longer term, basic and fundamental research appropriate for university 
research facilities. However, it is important that university 
researcher applicants be mindful of the US reciprocating manufacturer's 
needs. In other words, applications should propose research that has 
reasonable probability of contributing to long-term (5-7 year) 
manufacturer product development cycles. The most valuable contribution 
will be knowledge useful to reciprocating manufactures to decide which 
path, among many alternatives, that emissions equipment product 
development should proceed. With

[[Page 8793]]

considerable input from the Advanced Reciprocating Engines Systems 
(ARES) manufacturing consortium, DOE/NETL through the Office of Power 
Technologies Advanced Natural Gas Reciprocating Engine Program, is 
requesting applications under the topic area ``Aftertreatment Concepts 
for Advanced Natural Gas Reciprocating Engines.''
    Background/Application: Catalytic reduction offers a direct path 
towards reducing natural gas engine NOX emissions with 
minimal impact on design or program timing. Selective Catalytic 
Reduction (SCR) catalysts are used today in site-specific areas, but 
only as required due to their high initial cost, high maintenance cost, 
and control requirements. Three way catalysts are used more broadly, 
but are limited in application to smaller (under 500 kilowatt) engines, 
as manufacturers have integrated lean burn combustion for longer life 
on higher power ratings. Improvements in catalyst design have been in 
research stages for many years but have yet to result in a cost 
effective, simple solution that new engine products can use.
    Technical and Commercial Barriers: Catalyst barriers include the 
presence of oxygen in the exhaust stream from modern lean burn natural 
gas engines, coupled with relatively low exhaust temperatures that can 
inhibit catalytic reaction. Material costs, along with expensive closed 
loop SCR controls, limit commercial attractiveness such that catalysts 
are often used as a last resort rather than first preference when 
addressing emissions non-attainment areas. Relatively weak sales and 
service infrastructure, coupled with a general lack of knowledge, or 
negative impressions about catalysts, further inhibit catalyst 
promulgation into the large stationary natural gas engine marketplace.
    Technology Breakthrough(s) Needed: An effective catalyst reduction 
system is required that can reduce lean burn engine NOX 
emissions from 6 pounds per megawatt hour by at least 90%. Several 
approaches need to be investigated, including:
    1. Closed loop SCR designs, such that first costs are no greater 
than 10% of package costs, or approximately $50 per kilowatt 
(electric).
    2. Three way catalyst designs, such that these simple designs could 
be coupled with lean burn engine applications.
    3. Catalyst control technology that greatly reduces the cost to 
measure and control inlet and outlet NOX conditions to and 
from the catalyst.
    4. Basic field measurement technology, such that a technician or 
regulator can easily connect to and confidently measure NOX 
output from a gas engine catalyst.
    5. NOX adsorbent technology, such that catalyst bed 
material life is sufficiently long to be economically justified, and 
that precious metal requirements are greatly reduced or eliminated.
    6. Sulfur resistant catalyst technology, such that engines 
operating with significant sulfur pass-through can be coupled to an 
effective catalyst bed.
    7. Catalysts using CH4 as a supplemental reductant, such 
that currently available fuels can be used rather than ammonia systems 
in SCR designs.
    8. Durable oxidation catalyst technology, such that methane is 
reduced by 80+% with a minimal use of precious metal.
    These technologies are listed in no particular order, but could 
each play a major role in reducing NOX emissions from 
current engines and upcoming advanced natural gas reciprocating engine 
designs.
    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. The award will be with 
the university and not with the university-affiliated research 
institute.
    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% of the total project costs 
will be required.
    Applications must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the 
instructions and forms contained in the solicitation. Once released, 
the solicitation will be available for downloading from the IIPS 
Internet page. At this Internet site you will also be able to register 
with IIPS, enabling you to submit an application. If you need technical 
assistance in registering or for any other IIPS function, call the IIPS 
Help Desk at (800) 683-0751 or e-mail the Help Desk personnel at 
center.doe.gov">IIPS_HelpDesk@e-center.doe.gov. The solicitation will only be made 
available in IIPS, no hard (paper) copies of the solicitation and 
related documents will be made available.
    Prospective applicants who would like to be notified as soon as the 
solicitation is available should subscribe to the Business Alert 
Mailing List at http://www.netl.doe.gov/business. Once you subscribe, 
you will receive an announcement by e-mail that the solicitation has 
been released to the public. 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.

    Issued in Pittsburgh, PA on February 15, 2002.
Dale A. Siciliano,
Deputy Director, Acquisition and Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 02-4514 Filed 2-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P