Call for Projects - Renewable Energy

The Energy Independence and Security Act requires the Federal government to include solar water heating for new construction and major renovation projects.

The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 2005 directs the federal government to increase its use of renewable energy (defined as electric energy produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biomass sources, landfill gas, ocean, geothermal, municipal solid waste, or new hydro-electric), with a goal of using

3 percent or more in fiscal years 2007 through 2009,
5 percent or more in fiscal years 2010 through 2012,
7.5 percent or more by 2013.

Executive Order 13423 (Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management) requires that at least half of the required renewable energy come from new renewable sources placed into service after January 1, 1999. The Executive Order expanded the definition of renewable energy to include thermal renewable energy.

This year FEMP is particularly interested in biomass and large solar electricity projects. Due to the ambitious goals, FEMP will focus on large projects whenever possible, FEMP is also interested in renewable projects that can be financed through ESPC or UESC financing mechanisms.

For renewable projects, FEMP services may include:

Engineering and economic feasibility assessment or screening of opportunities (using FEMP developed software, GIS technology, and more detailed methods as applicable);
Design review of specifications and other construction documents and plans;
Assistance in developing procurement specifications;
Life cycle costing of options for measures using the Building Life Cycle Costing software; and
Advice and assistance with planning for measurement and verification and performance measurement of installed systems.

In addition to FEMP funding, the Solar Energy Technology Program is developing a Federal Pilot program that will focus on highly visible solar projects of 100kW to multi-MegaWatt installations. The SETP will consider all types of solar technologies, Photovoltiac, Concentrated Solar Power, and Solar Thermal (air or water) applications. Proposal must have an agency and facility commitment to go solar. Funding through the SETP will be for technical assistance from analysis to testing but will not provide funding for hardware. Agencies that want to apply for SETP funding must also complete the application.

For additional information about FEMP's Renewable program please visit our web site.