The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to provide potential applicants advance notice that the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Wind and Water Power Technologies Office (WWPTO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Research and Development of Innovative Technologies for Low Impact Hydropower Development", Number DE-FOA-0001286. The full Notice of Intent document is posted in the "FOA Documents" section below.
This FOA will support research and development of new innovations in hydropower drivetrain and civil works technologies for low impact hydropower development. The focus will be to reduce overall capital costs and recurring operation and maintenance costs and reduce the environmental impact of developing new hydropower projects.
The technologies to be developed will include low impact civil structures, alternative construction methods and materials, and innovative mechanical and electrical powertrain components. These technologies will also help to reduce installation and maintenance costs, while addressing the environmental and social concerns of new hydropower development.
DOE will solicit innovative ideas to harness hydropower that can be rapidly built, removed, and replaced when necessary. Applicants will be encouraged to provide new concepts for alternative hydropower systems that will lower the costs of civil infrastructure development, can be deployed in a maximum of two (2) years with relatively low environmental impacts, and can be removed or replaced after their intended life is completed. These concepts and systems should be able to operate at a cost that is competitive with traditional sources of generation.
NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH THIS NOTICE. Please do not submit questions or respond to this Notice of Intent. Prospective applicants to the FOA should begin developing partnerships, formulating ideas, and gathering data in anticipation of the issuance of this FOA. The applicant must first register and create an account on the EERE eXCHANGE website. A User Guide for EERE eXCHANGE can be found on the EERE website https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx after logging in to the system.