On October 3, 2024, the Division of Power Workplace of Clear Power Demonstrations introduced a Discover of Funding Alternative (NOFO) to fund as much as $400 million for clear power tasks in rural and distant areas by way of its Power Enhancements in Rural or Distant Areas program. The NOFO will present awards starting from $2 million – $50 million, with plans to fund 20 to 50 tasks. Awards would require a non-federal value share, vary throughout 4 subject areas, and goal tasks in rural and distant communities with populations of 10,000 folks or fewer.
Eligibility
Functions are open to a variety of entities, together with for-profit and nonprofit organizations, state and native governmental entities, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, establishments of upper training, rural electrical cooperatives, integrated and unincorporated consortia, farming associations and cooperatives, and labor unions. Usually candidates have to be U.S. entities, however international entities could also be allowed to take part in restricted circumstances. Candidates should determine not less than one space within the U.S. or U.S. territories with a inhabitants of as much as 10,000 folks which can profit from the proposal.
Candidates should suggest tasks that help not less than one of many following:
- Offering or modernizing electrical technology services;
- Bettering total cost-effectiveness of power technology, transmission, or distribution programs;
- Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution traces;
- Decreasing greenhouse fuel emissions from power technology in rural or distant areas;
- Growing microgrids; and
- Growing power effectivity.
Subject Areas
Candidates should select one of many following 4 focused subject areas for his or her undertaking’s software:
- The Open Class subject space helps numerous power infrastructure tasks that tackle particular native challenges. Eligible applied sciences embody photo voltaic, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass, battery storage and microgrids. Initiatives might also electrify gear or repower current renewable programs.
- The Twin Use and Co-Location subject space promotes power tasks built-in with different sectors, maximizing assets and operational effectivity. Examples embody agrivoltaics, the place photo voltaic panels present each electrical energy and crop safety, and renewable power programs put in at water remedy services.
- The Smaller-Scale Group-Centered Initiatives subject space helps initiatives designed by and for native communities. Typical initiatives embody rooftop photo voltaic installations on public buildings and microgrids for faculties or shelters.
- Lastly, the Remoted Microgrids and Unelectrified Buildings subject space targets distant communities that lack grid entry or depend on outdated power programs. Initiatives might embody growing standalone microgrids powered by renewable sources like photo voltaic with battery storage or connecting unelectrified houses to sustainable energy programs.
Desk 1 outlines the eligible subject areas, most funding accessible per undertaking and per subject space, and value share necessities. Notice that for all subject areas, sure entities (e.g. Tribal governments, nonprofits, public sector entities, and many others.) could also be eligible for a decrease value share).
| Desk 1: Subject Space Particulars | |||
| Subject Space | Award/Undertaking | Anticipated Whole Awards Restrict | Applicant Value Share (decrease/regular)* |
| Open Class | $10M – $50M | $150M | 20% / 50% |
| Twin use and co-location | $10M – $50M | $175M | 20% / 50% |
| Smaller-scale community-centered | $2M – $10M | $50M | 5% / 20% |
| Remoted microgrids & unelectrified buildings | $2M – $10M | $25M | 5% / 20% |
Software
The NOFO depends on the two-stage software course of frequent to DOE funding applications. Candidates should first submit a brief idea paper. Idea papers should concentrate on a single undertaking aligned with one of many program’s subject areas, and supply important data such because the undertaking title, subject space, a quick description of the undertaking’s attributes, the undertaking workforce’s composition, eligibility, and the situation of the communities concerned. Importantly, candidates should show how the undertaking will contain neighborhood members and staff all through planning and execution, making certain inclusive decision-making and mitigating potential damaging impacts. Primarily based on its evaluate of the idea papers, DOE will then subject letters encouraging some candidates to submit full purposes.
Idea Papers are due no later than 5:00 pm ET on February 27, 2025.
Full Functions will probably be due inside 100 days of receipt of notification by the DOE, by a program deadline of August 28, 2025.
Pillsbury’s Power workforce is obtainable to offer skilled help with structuring purposes, making certain compliance, and serving to candidates safe funding to attain their clear power targets. Attain out to find out how we are able to help your efforts by the ERA Program.
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