DOE Invests $10 Million in New Industry Partnerships to Boost Energy Efficiency of Nation's Most Energy Intensive Industries
May 7, 1999
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:Penny Adams/Michael Terwilliger, 202/586-5806
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) this week announced four new solicitations that, when awarded later this year, will provide roughly $10 million for the targeted research, development, or demonstration of new and advanced industrial technologies. Through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), DOE will solicit proposals from inventors, small businesses, and collaborative industry partnerships to accelerate the development and use of clean, energy-efficient technologies for U.S. industry.
"These investments are an integral part of our ongoing Industries of the Future partnership strategy," explained Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Dan Reicher. "This innovative, industry-government partnership is doing a great deal to improve the resource efficiency and competitiveness of some of our nation's most energy-intensive industries."
Under the Industries of the Future partnership strategy, nine industries (agriculture, aluminum, chemicals, forest products, glass, metalcasting, mining, petroleum refining, and steel) have completed visions describing their goals for the next 20 years as well as "technology roadmaps" outlining the research necessary to achieve those goals. A wide range of projects selected through the competitive solicitation process is addressing the high-priority technology needs identified in these roadmaps and many will provide benefits to other industries as well.
The four competitive solicitations being offered by EERE's Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) seek to boost efficiency by helping industrial partners develop their energy saving ideas. Details on each solicitation follow:
The Inventions and Innovation solicitation, which opened May 7, has this year doubled the upper level for financial assistance to individual U.S. inventors and small businesses. Successful applicants may now be awarded $40,000 to $200,000 to assist in developing and establishing the technical performance of their innovative ideas (the higher amount going to technologies in the later stages of development). Selected applicants will also receive mentoring and networking support to assist them in developing their ideas, which must show significant potential for industrial energy savings and commercial market success. DOE's Golden Field Office will manage this solicitation. Award selections are expected in mid November.
The Combustion Systems solicitation, which opened May 3, will award approximately $2.7 million to cost-share the first year of research projects that reflect the characteristics of future combustion systems outlined in the industry's vision and address priority needs established in the Industrial Combustion Technology Roadmap. The roadmap was developed by the combustion community last year, and can be found at www.oit.doe.gov/combustion. DOE anticipates awarding at least one cooperative agreement for research in each of two application areas: higher efficiency integrated boiler systems and higher-efficiency integrated process heater systems. This combustion solicitation (No. DE-PS07-99ID13788) will be managed by the Idaho Operations Office and may be found at that website at www.id.doe.gov/doeid/PSD/proc-div.html. For further information, contact Marshall Garr at (208) 526-1536 or garrmc@id.doe.gov.
The Sensors and Controls solicitation, which is expected to open by June 18, will provide $1 million for up to four cost-shared research projects. The solicitation will target one-to-three-year projects that address specific, yet-to-be-determined areas of sensor and control research identified as priority needs in the eight completed industry roadmaps. Proposals will be invited from all non-profit or for-profit organizations, educational institutions, or non-federal institutions or agencies. The solicitation will be managed through DOE's Chicago Operations Office. For a copy of the application, visit the DOE web site at www.oit.doe.gov/sens_cont.
To demonstrate the practicality and cost-effectiveness of new, energy-efficient technologies, OIT sponsors a grant program, known as NICE3. This program opened a competitive solicitation on May 7 to award approximately $4 million for cost-shared technology demonstrations by state and industry partnerships (large and small business). Grants fund up to 50 percent of total project costs for up to three years. Each award of up to $525,000 will be made to qualified partnerships wishing to demonstrate clean, energy-efficient technologies that can boost productivity in U.S. industry. For further information, visit the NICE3 web site at www.oit.doe.gov/nice3
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