DOE is soliciting unique solutions to complex wind energy projects from interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students. The competition would challenge students to research, design, and build a turbine for deployment in the high wind environment of Eastern Colorado. In addition, the participants would also be required to financially analyze the wind plant. The students would be imparted real-world experience as they prepare to enter the wind industry workforce.

DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) intends to accelerate wide-scale deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage using cost-effective anthropogenic CO2 commercial-scale storage sites, carbon capture and purification technologies. The major areas of interest are site characterization of a commercial-scale CO2 storage site, Underground injection control, CO2 capture assessment and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office intends to gauge industry willingness to partner over exploration of underutilized geothermal resources and understand the barriers in such a partnership. The dimensions of interest include Well characteristics, associated Risk and Liability. Diverse applicants from industry, academia, research laboratories, and government agencies are requested to provide their feedback.

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The DOE plans to organize a competition focusing on increasing resource recovery from municipal wastewater treatment plants in order to improve energy efficiency. Applicants would be expected to come up with a novel, systems-based solutions capable of resource recovery at small-to-medium-sized wastewater treatment plants. Inputs to this RFI would be used to set the competition objectives, rules, metrics, and incentives.

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) promotes American energy independence by supporting advanced biofuel producers with quarterly payments for finished products. The basic criteria for applicants would be to meet the requirements of advanced biofuels and ensure the independence of buyers and sellers from each other. Interested biofuel producers (based in the US only) are requested to apply to this program.

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Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) offers a two-year fellowship for innovators focusing on clean energy and science technologies. Through an annual call for innovators, four to six individuals will be selected to join CRI. Program participants will receive the financial and technical support needed to perform early-stage research and development (R&D) that may launch energy or manufacturing businesses in the future.

• Fellowship stipend of $115k per year for two years plus healthcare benefits
• Non-dilutive funding for de-risking technological innovations
• Access to technical experts, facilities, and unique capabilities at Argonne National Laboratory
• Networking access to business experts, investors, mentors, and corporate partners
• Argonne takes no equity stake

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing guaranteed grant financing for renewable energy systems to increase American energy independence through energy efficiency improvements that lower the energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers. Selected rural small businesses may utilize the funds for purchase, installation, and construction of energy efficiency improvements.

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DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is requesting information on processes to co-produce cellulosic biofuels and enhanced conversion R&D for bioproducts. The major areas of focus are Leveraging First Generation Bioethanol Production Facilities, Systems to Handle Commingled Food Waste Streams, Publish Existing High-Impact Data and Algal Biomass Feedstock Quality and Conversion Interface for Biofuels. This is solely a request for information and no funding applications are being accepted in response to this RFI.

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DOE’s Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office is soliciting feedback on the prospect of strategies relating to the modeling, monitoring, predicting, and controlling of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Some of the major areas of interest include Forecasted Data Acquisition and Ingestion for High Penetration of PV, Distribution Network Analysis and Power System Stability. This is solely a request for information and no funding applications are being accepted in response to this RFI.

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DOE is accepting applications from small businesses as part of its SBIR/STTR program (phase-1). The criteria for selection would be the feasibility of ideas with commercial potential and their alignment with DOE mission research guidelines. The grant application should concentrate on research that will contribute to proving the scientific or technical feasibility of the concept. Successful applicants in a DOE Phase I would be eligible to apply for DOE Phase II as well.

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DOE intends to fund R&D projects aimed at transforming grids by enhancing its capacity for greater prosperity, growth, and innovation. The proposals should leverage IoT technology to leverage the emergence of interconnected control systems; and coordination approaches to grow supply- and demand-side opportunities, such that they help maintain energy surety to defense installations.

As part of its SBIR/STTR program, ARPA-E is accepting innovative proposals exploring new areas of technology development across the full spectrum of energy applications. The specific areas of interest are Concretes and Cementitious Materials, Innovations Supporting Nuclear Energy, Enhanced Geothermal Systems & High-Value Methane Pyrolysis. Interested small business concerns are requested to apply within the deadline.

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