The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy has announced up to $2.75 million in federal funding for cost-shared research and development (R&D) projects. Future amounts are subject to congressional appropriations.

This funding is available under the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0001854 , Innovative Technology Development to Enhance Fossil Power Systems Operability, Reliability, and Economic Performance. Selected projects will support DOE’s Fossil Energy Crosscutting Research Program, which bridges basic R&D of innovative technologies to the successful development of ultra-clean, reliable, high-efficiency fossil energy power systems. The goal is to seek innovative R&D projects to improve the performance, cost, and reliability of fossil energy technologies. 

The National Energy Technology Laboratory will manage the selected projects. DOE anticipates selecting up to five projects for this FOA, which focuses on two areas of interest (AOI):

Sensors and Controls Technology Development for Cybersecure Fossil Power Generation

Selected projects under this AOI will support research to develop concepts and technologies that enhance the cybersecurity of advanced sensor and control networks for fossil power generation by targeting key cybersecurity requirements. Distributed sensor networks, secure sensor data transmission, and automated controls are key elements to better power plant flexibility, performance, and reliability. These technologies need to be developed and integrated in a manner that doesn’t create additional system vulnerabilities.

Computational Tools to Support Advanced Manufacturing of Fossil Energy Technologies

Selected projects under this AOI will support research to predict the structure and properties of extreme-environment materials for fossil energy applications produced by advanced manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing holds the promise of on-site component repair, new component geometries with less material (cost) and more performance, as well as reduced technology development cycles through rapid prototyping. Computational tools can accelerate the application of advanced manufacturing into fossil energy applications. This AOI will support the development of computational tools to connect materials and manufacturing processes with their resultant properties and performance. These tools will enable designers to fabricate new and enhanced components.

The Office of Fossil Energy funds R&D projects to reduce the risk and cost of advanced fossil energy technologies and further the sustainable use of the Nation’s fossil resources. To learn more about the programs within the Office of Fossil Energy, visit the Office of Fossil Energy website or sign up for FE news announcements.