Technology Pathway Partnership Technical Exchange Meeting, Chicago, IL, April 18-19, 2006
April 18-19, 2006 - Chicago Technical Exchange Meeting (TEM)
The objective of the SAI Technical Exchange Meeting (TEM) was to solicit input from government, industry, and academia regarding options and strategies for the Department of Energy (DOE) to consider in designing the structure and procurement strategy for the Solar America Initiative (SAI).
The focus of the Meeting was the discussion of critical issues that will have a significant impact on the structure of the initiative and the resulting technical pathway partnership solicitation. The key mechanism used to accomplish this objective was a series of breakout sessions held during this two-day event. There were four groups holding simultaneous breakout sessions on each day. Each group was assigned a topic to discuss with the intent of developing potential options for the resolution of issues within that topic. The first day of sessions focused on technology objective and procurement strategies, and the second day of sessions focused on program execution. The specific group topics were:
TEM SAI Introductory Presentations
SAI Overview (PDF 2.4 MB)
Program and SAI Context (PDF 2.5 MB)
SAI Technology Pathway Partnerships (PDF 2 MB)
SAI Roles for Golden Field Office and National Laboratories (PDF 503 KB)
SAI Technology Acceptance Activities (PDF 688 KB)
TEM Card Q&A
Question and answer (Q&A) cards were distributed to participants and responded to by a panel after the introductory presentations. Those that were not answered at the TEM were answered in the following document in which the questions are categorized as Program Questions, Modeling and Analysis Questions, Financial Opportunity Announcements (FOA) Questions, and Technology Acceptance questions. Some submissions were in the form of comments, suggestions, or issues to be considered-and those have also been recorded.
Submitted Card Q&A; Participant Comments and Suggestions (PDF 168 KB)
TEM Breakout Sessions
Six simultaneous breakout sessions were held on both days of the TEM. Two topics were discussed per day and participants were allowed to choose topic sessions for each day. On the first day, Group A and B sessions were held. There were 4 Group A breakout sessions and 2 Group B breakout sessions. On the second day, Group C and D sessions were held. There were 3 Group C breakout sessions and 3 Group D breakout sessions. A representative was appointed from each breakout session to give a plenary presentation summarizing the ideas, suggestions, comments, and concerns of their session after the breakouts for that day were concluded.
Breakout Group Topic Introductory Presentations
Group A Introduction: Technology Improvement Opportunities (TIO) (PDF 427 KB)
Group B Introduction: Financial Assistance Structure and Strategy (PDF 472 LB)
Group C Introduction: Stage Gate Process, Testing, and Evaluation (PDF 542 KB)
Group D Introduction: Application Content and Merit Review Process (PDF 229 KB)
Breakout Session Report-Out Presentations
Group A: Technology Improvement Opportunities (TIO)
To discuss the TIO framework in context of Initiative and to discuss the technical requirements and application approach for the technology pathway partnerships
Breakout Session A1 Summary (PDF76 KB)
Breakout Session A2 Summary (PDF 49 KB)
Breakout Session A3 Summary (PDF 59 KB)
Breakout Session A4 Summary (PDF 47 KB)
Group B: Procurement Strategy and Structure
To provide feedback to DOE on the proposed, and funding of the Solar America Initiative
Breakout Session B1 Summary (PDF 55 KB)
Breakout Session B2 Summary (PDF 46 KB)
Group C: Stage-Gate Process, Testing, and Evaluation
To introduce Stage-Gate framework with in the context of the Solar America Initiative and to establish working criteria for the testing and evaluation of each Technology Pathway Partnership
Breakout Session C1 Summary (PDF 48 KB)
Breakout Session C2 Summary (PDF KB)
Breakout Session C3 Summary (PDF 40 KB)
Group D: Proposal Content Requirements, Merit Review Criteria, and Negotiation Processes
To discuss the general framework of proposal content and associated review criteria and to identify problems or concerns with the proposed review criteria
Breakout Session D1 Summary (PDF48 KB)
Breakout Session D2 Summary (PDF 52 KB)
Breakout Session D3 Summary (PDF47 KB)
SAI Contact Information
TEM Attendee List with contact information (PDF 223 KB)
U.S. Department of Energy Building America Program contacts (PDF 563 KB)
Each of the listed Building America team leads is the contact point for information on the builders with whom each team is currently working. The most effective way to contact active Building America builders is through the Building America team leads.
National Laboratories Point of Contact Information
Dr. Harin Ullal is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Point of Contact for inquiries and interests regarding the DOE Solar America Initiative's Technology Pathway Partnerships FOA.
Phone: 303-384-7799
e-mail: saicontact@nrel.gov
Dr. Jeffrey S. Nelson is the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Point of Contact for inquiries and interests regarding the DOE Solar America Initiative's Technology Pathway Partnerships FOA.
Phone: 505-284-1715
e-mail: jsnelso@sandia.gov