Funding Opportunities

Modification 0001

This modification incorporates the following changes:

Section I.B: Revised Performance Goal/Target Outcomes for Subtopic 1B.

Section III.E.i: Replaced Value/Funding and Cost Share sections with Section III.E.i.c. Funding, Cost Share, and Subaward with FFRDCs.

Additional revisions made throughout to align with the newest FOA template. Please download and review the FOA document for complete details. The Modifications table begins on page 2.

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The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is issuing, on behalf of the Building Technologies Office (BTO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled “Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) – 2024”.

The 2024 BENEFIT FOA will invest up to $30M (subject to appropriations) across four topic areas:

Topic 1: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Water Heating

Technologies with improved materials, components, equipment design, and engineering, lower cost manufacturing processes, and easier installation.

Topic 2: Innovative, Replicable, and Low-Cost Roof and Attic Retrofits

Technologies for affordable and scalable roof and attic retrofits that improve energy efficiency and address air and water infiltration.

Topic 3: Building Resilience and Capacity Constraints

Novel approaches to maintain essential loads during blackouts and add power capacity to buildings without the need for major infrastructure upgrades; localized thermal management systems and thermally resilient building envelopes to provide cooling and overheating protection against extreme heat events.

Topic 4: Commercial Lighting Retrofit Advancements

Low-cost, high-quality retrofit solutions for lagging sectors in energy-efficient lighting adoption (schools, certain commercial buildings).

DOE is compiling a Teaming Partner List to facilitate the formation of project teams for this FOA. The Teaming Partner List allows organizations that may wish to participate on a project to express their interest to other applicants and explore potential partnerships. Please see the Teaming List section of the FOA document for more information.

EERE eXCHANGE is designed to enforce the deadlines specified in this FOA. The “Apply” and “Submit” buttons will automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. Should applicants experience problems with EERE eXCHANGE, the following information may be helpful.

Applicants that experience issues with submission PRIOR to the FOA deadline: In the event that an applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the applicant should contact the EERE eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (EERE-eXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov). The EERE eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE system administrators will assist applicants in resolving issues.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is issuing, on behalf of the Building Technologies Office (BTO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled “Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) – 2022/2023”.

The 2022/2023 BENEFIT FOA will invest up to $15.35M - $45.2M across 5 topic areas to allow all interested parties to research and develop high-impact, cost-effective technologies and practices that will reduce carbon emissions, improve flexibility and resilience, as well as lower energy costs.

Topic 1: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Water Heating: Technologies with improved materials, components, equipment design and engineering, lower cost manufacturing processes, and easier installation.

Topic 2: Thermal Energy Storage (TES): Development and validation of next generation plug-and-play TES products with improved cost and performance and ease of installation to accelerate adoption of TES in HVAC applications.

Topic 3: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Development, validation, and demonstration of product innovations that reduce the cost of BESS integration, improve the coordination between distributed BESS and the electrical grid, as well as help meet building decarbonization targets.

Topic 4: Plug Loads/Lighting: Integration of plug load controls with connected lighting systems in commercial buildings with minimal cost and complexity to support building electrification.

Topic 5: Opaque Building Envelope: Development, validation, and demonstration of high-impact, affordable. opaque building envelope retrofit and diagnostic technologies.

BTO is compiling a “teaming” partner list to facilitate widespread participation in this FOA. This list allows organizations with expertise in the topics to express their interest to potential applicants and to explore potential partnerships. Please see the Teaming List section of the FOA document for more information.

The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the FOA Deadline: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of, and with the Applicant's concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance; and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the FOA's posted deadline.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Building Technologies Office (BTO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) - 2022”.

This potential FOA is expected to support the development, validation, and demonstration of novel building technologies and retrofit practices that have significant potential for equitable carbon savings through building electrification, energy efficiency, and demand flexibility. The FOA will also enhance building and grid resilience, affordability of efficient technologies and practices, and ensure environmental justice and inclusion of underserved communities.

It is anticipated that the FOA may include the following Areas of Interest:

• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Water Heating (WH)
• Thermal Energy Storage (TES)
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Plug Loads/Lighting
• Opaque Building Envelope

BTO is compiling a “teaming” partner list to facilitate widespread participation in this FOA. This list allows organizations with expertise in the topics to express their interest to potential applicants and to explore potential partnerships. Please see the Teaming List section of the NOI document for more information.

This Notice is issued so that interested parties are aware of the EERE’s intention to issue this FOA in the near term. All of the information contained in this Notice is subject to change. EERE will not respond to questions concerning this Notice. Once the FOA has been released, EERE will provide an avenue for potential Applicants to submit questions.

Desirability, convenience, and cost are the three greatest barriers to deep energy building retrofits. The goal of this planned FOA is to fund research that enables faster renovation and construction of affordable, appealing, and energy efficient buildings. This FOA directly supports goals of a carbon-neutral building economy no later than 2050 by focusing on three specific topics areas in need of desirable, convenient and affordable solutions to transform the United States’ building stock. This FOA builds on BTO’s current Advanced Building Construction work: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/advanced-building-construction-initiative.  Information about the latest ABC goals and strategic organization can be found in the factsheet: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2021/03/f83/bto-abc-fact-sheet-030321.pdf 

The ABC Initiative uses a multi-pronged approach to address research, development, and market challenges with the goal of integrating highly efficient and low-carbon innovations into the construction industry’s broader modernization efforts. Through competitively awarded R&D projects and cutting-edge building technologies research at DOE’s national laboratories, and the establishment of an ABC Collaborative with key industry partnerships, workforce training, and other strategic activities, the ABC Initiative works to not only drive development of new technologies, practices and approaches but also ensure that these solutions are widely deployed in the market – thus helping the U.S. expand job opportunities, develop a stronger building infrastructure, improve energy affordability.

A key objective of the planned 2021 Advanced Building Construction FOA is to fund R&D that will benefit underserved communities by contributing to the following goals: 

• Highly energy-efficient buildings with low-carbon footprints and lower energy bills
• Faster renovation and construction, with less disruption to building occupants
• Affordable to developers and consumers
• Improved indoor air quality, improved comfort, and reduced maintenance.

As part of a forthcoming FOA, BTO will be seeking applications aimed at developing deep energy retrofit and new construction technologies suitable for environments with extremely high or low temperatures that tackle a combination of envelope, heating, cooling, and water heating issues, and hold appeal for both building owners and occupants. Priority shall be given to those with prior experience serving low-income residents living in extremely hot or cold environments.

This RFI solicits feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on BTO’s opaque envelope program and its future directions and priorities. To clarify these, BTO has developed a report that is structured around five key areas of technology R&D. The report identifies current envelope characteristics, R&D opportunities, integration approaches, and implementation pathways. BTO is requesting feedback on each of these areas. BTO is also requesting feedback on planned technical objectives, technical targets, tools, overall R&D activities, and estimates of program impacts.

This RFI is not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA); therefore, EERE is not accepting applications at this time. EERE may issue a FOA in the future based on or related to the content and responses to this RFI; however, EERE may also elect not to issue a FOA. There is no guarantee that a FOA will be issued as a result of this RFI. Responding to this RFI does not provide any advantage or disadvantage to potential applicants if EERE chooses to issue a FOA regarding the subject matter. Final details, including the anticipated award size, quantity, and timing of EERE funded awards, will be subject to Congressional appropriations and direction.

Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically to BTO_Envelope_RDO@ee.doe.gov no later than 5:00pm (ET) on July 20, 2020. Responses must be provided as attachments to an email. It is recommended that attachments with file sizes exceeding 25MB be compressed (i.e., zipped) to ensure message delivery. Responses must be provided as a Microsoft Word (.docx) attachment to the email, and no more than 10 pages in length, 12 point font, 1 inch margins. Only electronic responses will be accepted.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Technologies Office (BTO) Advanced Building Construction with Energy-Efficient Technologies & Practices (ABC) FOA supports research and development of solutions that can be applied to many segments of the building sector, including existing and new buildings, residential and commercial, and across multiple climate zones. BTO is seeking applications aimed at developing deep energy retrofit and new construction technologies that holistically tackle a combination of envelope, heating, cooling, water heating, and ventilation issues, and hold appeal for both building owners and occupants.

BTO is interested in three topic areas:

Topic 1: Integrated Building Retrofits

Topic 2: New Construction Technologies

Topic 3: Advanced Technology Integration

For questions and answers pertaining to this FOA, please reference the DE-FOA-0002099 ABC 2019 FAQ Log in the Documents section below.

Informational Webinar: A playback of the Informational Webinar mentioned in the FOA can be found by following this link:

https://doe.webex.com/doe/lsr.php?RCID=8bd63921da034e8996909acf73ffdab1

Passcode: 2019abcFOA 

A full transcript of the Informational Webinar can be found in the Documents section below.

The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the FOA Deadline: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of, and with the Applicant's concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance; and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the FOA's posted deadline.

The mission of BTO’s Residential Buildings Integration (RBI) Program is to accelerate energy performance improvements in existing and new residential buildings using an integrated building systems approach to achieve peak energy performance. The RBI Program’s market outcome goal is to reduce, by 2025, the energy used for space conditioning and water heating in single-family homes by 40% from 2010 levels. RBI’s focus on space conditioning and water heating offers the best opportunities for influencing residential energy use.

With this FOA, RBI will select building science project teams in 2018 for the Building America Program to conduct early stage research and validation of energy performance improvements in existing and new residential buildings with integrated building systems approaches, and achieve optimal home energy performance. These Building America teams will work with industry partners and real world homes to develop and validate technologies and practices that achieve optimal energy and cost performance while effectively managing related risks (e.g., indoor air quality and moisture durability). This FOA builds on work begun in the 2015, 2016, and 2017 Building America FOAs, and is focused primarily on addressing remaining gaps and objectives in the Building America Research-to-Market Plan.

This FOA has three (3) topics, described below. Applicants may submit multiple applications, but each individual application must be submitted to either Topic 1,  Topic 2, or Topic 3, but not all. Applications will be evaluated using the technical review criteria of the selected topic.

Topic 1 - Baseline In-situ Fault Analysis in Residential Comfort Systems

Topic 2 - Integration of Advanced Residential Envelope and HVAC Systems

Topic 3 - Gap Analysis of Building Industry Standard Practices

The full Funding Opportunity Announcement is published at EERE-Exchange.energy.gov.

For questions and answers pertaining to this FOA, please reference the DE-FOA-0001824 Building America FAQ Log in FOA Documents.

The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Letter of Intent and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.
Applicants that experience issuse with submissions PRIOR to the FOA Deadline: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of, and with the Applicant's concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance; and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the FOA's posted deadline.

Informational Webinar: The Informational Webinar mentioned in the FOA is scheduled for Monday, May 14, 2018 at 3:00PM ET.

https://doe.webex.com/doe/onstage/g.php?MTID=e0a69392615f1e5362e49f957d8c7cfff

In prior years, the BENEFIT FOA consisted of two sections (Innovations: early-stage; Frontiers: later-stage, roadmap-driven) to complement the core funding provided by the program ([1], [2], [3], below). This FOA consists of four topic areas within these two sections (e.g., “Innovations” and “Frontiers”), as well as a new third “Scale-up” section for pre-commercial prototype development. Two targeted “Frontiers” topics are focused on Advanced HVAC&R and Miscellaneous Electric Loads (MELs), and two open topics are focused on early-stage R&D applications (“Innovations”) and pre-commercial prototype development and scale-up (“Scale-up”), respectively. This pursuit of early-stage (Innovations), as well as later-stage (Scale-up) investments in the open topics will provide balance to the BTO R&D portfolio and targeted technology topic and program areas.

[1] DE-FOA-0001383: Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) – 2016, https://eere-exchange.energy.gov

[2] DE-FOA-0001166: Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) – 2015, https://eere-exchange.energy.gov

[3] DE-FOA-0001027: Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) – 2014, https://eere-exchange.energy.gov

For questions and answers pertaining to this FOA, please reference the DE-FOA-0001632 BENEFIT 2017 FAQ Log in FOA Documents.

The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the FOA Deadline: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of, and with the Applicant's concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance; and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the FOA's posted deadline.

Informational Webinar: The Informational Webinar mentioned in the FOA occured on December 6, 2016 at 3:00 PM ET Eastern Standard Time. Please see documents below in the Documents section for the powerpoint presentation and audio recording.

The Building America Program is RBI’s premier applied research, development, & demonstration (RD&D) program, responsible for over 40 housing innovations to date that have enabled technology and market advancements in residential energy efficiency. Since 1994, the rigor of the national energy code has increased over 40% by applying high performance building envelope innovations proven with Building America research and demonstration. To support RBI’s current program goals, Building America is focused on the following RBI performance goal: by 2020, demonstrate cost effective technologies and practices that can reduce the energy use intensity (EUI) of new homes by at least 60% and existing homes by at least 40%, relative to the average homes in each of the seven climate zones in 2010, with a focus on reducing heating, cooling, and water heating loads.

With this FOA, RBI will select additional Building America project teams in 2017 to accelerate energy performance improvements in existing and new residential buildings using an integrated building systems approach. These Building America teams will work with industry partners and real world homes to help housing industry participants achieve optimal energy and cost performance, while effectively managing related risks (i.e., indoor air quality and moisture durability). This FOA builds on work begun in the 2015 and 2016 Building America FOAs, and is focused primarily on addressing remaining gaps and objectives in the Building America Research-to-Market Plan.

Building America seeks to fund projects with a high potential for significant impact. Successful applicants will present a relevant problem statement, compelling hypothesis and/or solution, and effective research question(s). Successful applications will also include a well-developed plan, demonstrating not only an innovative idea of a technology/practice, but also a clear and rational way of executing the idea and enabling wide-scale adoption by the industry. Teams should have strong partnerships with builders and/or manufacturers in the industry.

This FOA has two (2) topics, described below. Applicants may submit multiple applications, but each individual application must be submitted to either Topic 1 or Topic 2, not both. Applications will be evaluated using the technical review criteria of the selected topic.

Topic 1: Building America Technology to Market Roadmaps: Selected Objectives
Topic 2: Baseline Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Field Study in Occupied New US Homes

For questions and answers pertaining to this FOA, please reference the DE-FOA-0001630 Building America FAQ Log in FOA Documents.

The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.

Applicants that experience issuse with submissions PRIOR to the FOA Deadline: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of, and with the Applicant's concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance; and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the FOA's posted deadline.

Informational Webinar: The Informational Webinar mentioned in the FOA will be held on November 7, 2016 at 3:00PM Eastern Standard Time. Please click or copy and paste this link in your browser for registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/834576982742086660

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Building Technologies Office (BTO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Building America Industry Partnerships for High Performance Housing Innovation - 2017”.

This FOA supports the Building America Program which is the BTO Residential Building Integration (RBI) Program’s premier applied research, development, & demonstration (RD&D) program, responsible for over 40 housing innovations to date that have enabled technology and market advancements in residential energy efficiency. Since 1994, the rigor of the national energy code has increased over 40% by applying high performance building envelope innovations proven with Building America research and demonstration.

With this FOA, RBI will select additional building science project teams in 2017 for the Building America Program to accelerate energy performance improvements in existing and new residential buildings using an integrated building systems approach to achieve peak energy performance. This FOA builds on work begun in the 2015 and 2016 Building America FOAs, and is focused primarily on addressing remaining gaps and objectives in the Building America Research to Market Plan.

This notice of intent (NOI) is issued so that interested parties are aware of the EERE’s intention to issue this FOA in the near term. All of the information contained in this NOI is subject to change. EERE will not respond to questions concerning this NOI. Once the FOA has been released, EERE will provide an avenue for potential applicants to submit questions.

EERE intends to issue the FOA in November 2016 via the EERE Exchange website https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/. If applicants wish to receive official notifications and information from EERE regarding this FOA, they should register in EERE Exchange. When the FOA is released, applications will be accepted only through EERE Exchange.

This FOA builds off of current laboratory and simulation analysis of technology packages by investing in real building demonstrations led by strategically structured teams who will identify and verify multi-system energy efficiency packages (groups of technologies that improve efficiency across two building systems: envelope, lighting/electrical, plug, process, heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration, energy management and information, sensors and controls). Projects selected through this funding opportunity will prime the market for the adoption of emerging and underutilized technology packages and create new synergies between building stakeholder groups, and/or, ultimately help utilities develop and release or expand more aggressive and ambitious Energy Efficiency (EE) program offerings. This FOA also supports the critical function of evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) by using existing DOE tools and resources to: 1) identify the most impactful multi-system packages, 2) develop the preliminary savings calculations, 3) collect data to verify package performance along with other market factors in real buildings, and 4) foster more consistent energy efficiency programs across the country.

Informational Webinar: The Informational Webinar mentioned in the FOA was held on November 2, 2016 at 12:00PM Eastern Standard Time. Please see documents below in the "Documents" section for the powerpoint presentation and transcript.

EERE compiled a Teaming Partner List to facilitate the formation of new project teams for this FOA. The Teaming Partner List is available below under "Documents".

The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the FOA Deadline:

In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk &/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission:

In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk &/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of and with the Applicant’s concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance, and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the FOA’s posted deadline.

Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0001518

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Building Technologies Office, a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Scaling up the Next Generation of Building Efficiency Packages”.

The anticipated funding opportunity will seek innovative partnerships to significantly and rapidly increase the uptake of emerging and underutilized energy efficient and cost-effective building technology packages. The Commercial Buildings Integration (CBI) program, working in cooperation with the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Green Proving Ground program , will invest funds towards this competitive Funding Opportunity Announcement. EERE will seek applications that drive innovation in real building technology demonstrations while also fostering the collaboration of dynamic teams including deployment entities (states, local governments or Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations), efficient building hubs (such as Innovation or Incubator hubs), utilities, technology providers and/or building energy analysis professionals.

This anticipated FOA builds from the outcomes of existing demonstration projects, laboratory testing and simulation analysis of technology packages. Successful applicants to this FOA will propose high impact real building demonstrations led by strategically structured teams who will identify and verify the cost and energy performance of multi-system energy efficiency packages. Multi-system packages are groups of technologies that improve efficiency across two or more building systems: envelope, lighting/electrical, plug, process, heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration, energy management and information, sensors and controls. Applications selected for award negotiations through this funding opportunity will create new synergies between building stakeholder groups and ultimately leverage the $8 billion in annual Energy Efficiency (EE) program expenditures and/or support development of more aggressive and ambitious EE program offerings.

The purpose of this Notice is to provide potential applicants advance notice that the Buildings Technologies Office, on behalf of the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), intends to issue a FOA titled, DE-FOA-0001518: “Scaling up the Next Generation of Building Efficiency Packages”. 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. It is anticipated that this FOA will be posted to EERE Exchange on or about October 2016.

The United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Office (BTO) is seeking information from the public on sensor and control technologies that can be used within residential and commercial buildings to monitor and optimize energy performance and occupant comfort, as well as support energy-related transactions outside the building envelope. In particular, BTO is interested in the current state-of-the-art in sensor and control technologies, forthcoming research and development (R&D) advances that could reduce cost or improve performance, and the potential market implications of improved building energy management.

There are five categories in which BTO is seeking additional information:

Multi-purpose Plug-and-Play Sensor Packages

Virtual Sensors and Predictive Models

Sub-metering, Continuous Commissioning, and Automated Fault Detection & Diagnostics

Occupant-Centered Sensing and Controls

Other (does not fit in one of the above categories)

Eleven questions are presented, representing various aspects of information that are important for DOE to collect, such as: state of the art, metrics, qualitative criteria, R&D status, cost, market types, possible opportunities, improvements, and market barriers.

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), on behalf of the Buildings Technologies Office (BTO), announces the Funding Opportunity Announcement “Building America Industry Partnerships for High Performance Housing Innovation” with funding up to $5.5 million. The Building America Research Program is the Residential Building Integration (RBI) Program’s premier applied research program. The Program is responsible for over 40 housing innovations to date that have enabled technology and market advancements in residential energy efficiency.

With this FOA, RBI will select additional building science teams in 2016 for the Building America Research Program. This FOA builds on work begun in the 2015 Building America FOA.

Awardees will conduct applied research, development and demonstration (RD&D) in real world houses of cost-effective technologies and practices that can help reduce the energy use intensity (EUI) of new single-family homes by 60% and existing single-family homes by 40%, relative to the 2010 average home EUI in each climate zone, by 2025, with a focus on reducing heating and cooling loads.

This FOA has 2 topics:

Topic 1: Building America Technology to Market Roadmap Projects
Topic 1 addresses three integrated technology gaps focused on achieving high performance residential buildings and overcoming market barriers to adoption at scale, including:

A) High Performance Moisture-Managed Building Envelope Systems;
B) Optimized Comfort Systems for Low-Load Homes; and
C) High Performance Ventilation Systems & IAQ Strategies.

Topic 2: Home Improvement RD&D Projects
Topic 2 addresses RD&D related to innovative energy efficiency upgrade opportunities for trade contractors during home improvements. Topic 2 projects must offer significant potential for increasing the energy efficiency of existing homes by addressing cost and/or market entry barriers related to home improvement trades adding energy efficiency measures during typical home improvement transactions. Applicants may propose RD&D projects in the following home improvement sectors:

Envelope upgrades (i.e., roofing, siding, & window replacements, foundation repairs, or other home envelope improvements related to achieving energy savings)

Mechanical system upgrades (i.e., HVAC service & replacements with the potential for significant energy savings above standard practice)

In addition, DOE will also consider Topic 2 project proposals that develop and/or demonstrate:

Innovative, cost saving methods/technologies for assessing home performance, either during inspections or real time operation.

On November 30, 3:00PM EST there will be an informational webinar about the FOA. Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3467376259542266370

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), invests in high-risk, high-value research, development and deployment in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. EERE, through the Building Technologies Office (BTO) is issuing a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0001117, entitled “Building America Industry Partnerships for High Performance Housing Innovations”.  The FOA seeks to develop technologies, techniques, and tools for making buildings more energy efficient, productive, and affordable. BTO's strategic goal is to significantly improve the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings to reduce national energy demand and allow the nation to work toward greater energy independence and a cleaner environment.

With this FOA, EERE anticipates selecting and funding 1 to 4 building science teams in 2015 for the Building America Research Program. Selected teams will conduct applied Research and Development (R&D) in real world houses, develop and implement solutions to three inter-related core technical challenges which are necessary to meet the program goals for both new and existing homes. Core technical challenges include: A) high performance, low risk building envelope assemblies and systems to achieve low heating and cooling loads; B) optimal comfort systems (HVAC and distribution) for low-load homes; and C) high performance ventilation systems and indoor air quality strategies for low-load homes

The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the FOA Deadline:

In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk &/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.

Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission:

In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk &/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of and with the Applicant’s concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance, and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the FOA’s posted deadline.

The Building America informational Webinar is scheduled to be held on Monday, November 17, 2014 at 3:00pm EST. Standard application questions regarding the EERE Office and FOA procedures will be discussed.  Please register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/598800209

For questions and answers pertaining to the content of this FOA, please reference 'DE-FOA-0001117_FAQs' in FOA Documents 

The Emerging Technologies (ET) Program of the Building Technologies Office (BTO) supports applied research and development for technologies and systems that contribute to building energy consumption.  BTO’s goal is to deliver 50% primary energy savings in the year 2030, relative to the baseline energy consumption projected by the 2010 Annual Energy Outlook.  The ET Program is helping to meet this goal by enabling cost-effective, energy-efficient technologies to be developed and introduced into the marketplace.  The ET Program maintains support for the national laboratories in five core areas:  Solid-State Lighting, HVAC (includes water heating and appliances), Sensors & Controls, Windows & Envelope, and Modeling & Tools.  This FOA combines an early-stage research and development topic (Innovations) with a later-stage research and development topic (Frontiers) that complement the core funding provided to the national labs and allow all interested parties, including corporations, universities, and non-profits as well as the national labs, to contribute to advancement in two of these core technological areas:  Non-vapor compression HVAC technologies and advanced vapor compression HVAC technologies. These topics are combined into this single, relatively large FOA in order to reduce administrative costs and to ensure that only the best applications are supported.

For questions and answers pertaining to this FOA, please reference the DE-FOA-0001166 BENEFIT FOA FAQ sheet in FOA Documents.  

*** BENEFIT FOA 2nd Informational Webinar will be held Tuesday, March 25, 2014 3:00-4:00 ET. Register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/344478633 ***

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has issued, on behalf of the Building Technologies Office (BTO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Incubator Technologies (BENEFIT) - 2014, Number DE-FOA-0001027. The FOA is posted on the EERE eXCHANGE website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.

Mandatory concept papers must be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE website by March 6, 2014, followed by full applications due by April 21, 2014. Applicants must first register and create an account on the EERE eXCHANGE website. A User Guide for EERE eXCHANGE can be found at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx after logging in to the system. 

The BENEFIT FOA includes the following Areas of Interest:

Incubators (Off-Roadmap):

Area of Interest 1:  Open Topic for Energy Efficiency Solutions for Residential and Commercial Buildings

Innovative energy-efficiency technologies, approaches, or design tools NOT already supported or targeted by BTO are eligible to apply under this area of interest, providing they show a clear application to residential and/or commercial buildings with significant primary energy savings potential.

Area of Interest 2:  Innovative Sensors & Sensor Systems

Develop open architecture sensors and sensor systems that easily share data to enable building operators and owners to cost effectively capture energy and cost savings through the use of new and existing control system applications. Major goals in this development area are low cost, data sharing, and ease of deployment (plug-n-play methodologies).

Frontiers (Roadmap-Driven):

Area of Interest 3:  Advanced Energy-Efficient Clothes Dryers

Applications are sought for advanced energy-efficient clothes dryers (vented and ventless).  Economic and technical goals are defined for this area.  Furthermore, concepts with measurable non-energy benefits, which are important for market success, are particularly encouraged.

Area of Interest 4:  Highly Insulating Building Envelope Components

Subtopic  1, Visibly transparent building envelope components:  There are technical and economic goals for this area that are significant improvements of current technology.  Performance metrics include ≥ R-7 (residential) and ≥ R-5 (commercial).

Subtopic 2, Opaque building envelope components:  The metrics and targets for this subtopic are > R-8/inch building envelope thermal insulation material that can be added to either the exterior or interior walls in existing buildings at < $0.30/ft² installed cost premium (labor and material).  

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 Building Technologies Office (BTO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Incubator Technologies (BENEFIT) - 2014”, Number DE-FOA-0001027. The Notice of Intent is posted on the EERE eXCHANGE website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.

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. DOE plans to issue the FOA in or around the first calendar quarter in 2014. 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.  It is anticipated that the FOA may include the following Areas of Interest:

Incubators (Off-Roadmap):

Area of Interest 1:  Open Topic for Energy Efficiency Solutions for Residential and Commercial Buildings

Innovative energy-efficiency technologies, approaches, or design tools NOT already supported or targeted by BTO are eligible to apply under this area of interest, providing they show a clear application to residential and/or commercial buildings with significant primary energy savings potential.

Area of Interest 2:  Innovative Sensors & Sensor Systems

Develop open architecture sensors and sensor systems that easily share data to enable building operators and owners to cost effectively capture energy and cost savings through the use of new and existing control system applications. Major goals in this development area are low cost, data sharing, and ease of deployment (plug-n-play methodologies).

Frontiers (Roadmap-Driven):

Area of Interest 3:  Advanced Energy-Efficient Clothes Dryers

Applications are sought for advanced electric energy-efficient clothes dryers (vented and ventless).  Economic and technical goals are defined for this area.  Furthermore, concepts with measurable non-energy benefits, which are important for market success, are particularly encouraged.

Area of Interest 4:  Highly Insulating Building Envelope Components

Subtopic  1, Visibly transparent building envelope components:  There are technical and economic goals for this area that are significant improvements of current technology.  Performance metrics include ≥ R-7 (residential) and ≥ R-5 (commercial).

Subtopic 2, Opaque building envelope components:  The metrics and targets for this subtopic are > R-8/inch building envelope thermal insulation material that can be added to either the exterior or interior walls in existing buildings at < $0.30/ft² installed cost premium (labor and material).

This FOA marks the first time that the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued three Phase I solicitations in a single year.  This “Release 3” is intended to give small businesses more topics and more opportunities to apply for SBIR/STTR Phase I grants in a given year.  It includes 8 broad topics and 30 subtopics aligned with EERE programs (see below).  Detailed application instructions, including eligibility requirements, can be found on DOE’s SBIR Funding opportunities website under Reference Number DE-FOA-0000715.

EERE leads the Federal government’s research and development (R&D) efforts in energy efficiency and renewable energy. It invests in clean energy R&D designed to reduce the cost of technologies that enable the efficient use of energy and/or the generation of renewable energy. EERE’s SBIR/STTR efforts are part of an integrated portfolio that will lead to economic and environmental benefits. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) EERE program is interested in receiving proposals for research and development projects that offer potential for achieving EERE technology cost and performance targets.  This FOA seeks Applications to select and fund SBIR Phase I research and development (R&D) projects in the follow topics and subtopics:

1. Advanced Manufacturing:  a. Manufacturing Process  b. Advanced Materials

2. Biomass: a. Cellulosic and Algal Biofuels b. Biobased Products

3. Buildings: a. Solid State Lighting (SSL) Devices and Packages;

b. Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps

c. High COP Electric Water Heaters

d. GSHP Ground Loop Cost Reduction

e. Fast Payback Solar Hot Water 

f. Building Envelope Materials

g. Building Controls and

h. Commercial Building Power Meters

4. Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies a. Transportation Fuel Cells b. Hydrogen Storage

5. Solar: a. PV module b. Power Electronics & Balance of System (Hardware)

c. Balance of System (Non-Hardware) and

d. Concentrating Solar Power

6. Vehicles: a. Electric Drive Vehicle Batteries; b. Exhaust Aftertreatment Materials

c. Innovative Engine Boosting Technologies

d. Differential Compression and Expansion Technologies

e. Subsystem Component Technologies

f. Thermoelectric Technologies

g. Materials for Traction Drive Motor Laminations, Cores, or Structures and

h. Engine Friction Reduction

7. Water: a. Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy b. Hydropower Applications

8. Wind: a. Logistics for Land-Based Wind Power

The focus of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to develop specifically-identified technologies for buildings that are cost effective and can have a tremendous impact on energy savings overall and lead to a market-ready solution (e.g. at the commercial prototype phase) within five years of project launch.  Projects must credibly demonstrate how the proposed technologies will meet the targets specified in the sub-topic descriptions. Projects under this FOA must be aimed at more than progress toward identified project goals; the project must be aimed at actual delivery of these project goals.

Topic 1: Energy Saving Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems

Subtopic 1.1: High Performance Air Source Cold Climate Heat Pumps

Subtopic 1.2: Alternative Space-Heating Systems

Subtopic 1.3: Next-Generation Heat Exchangers for Electric Vapor-Compression Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners

Topic 2: Energy Saving Building Envelope Solutions

Subtopic 2.1: High performance thermal insulation

Subtopic 2.2: Advanced Roof/Attic Solutions

Subtopic 2.3: Highly insulating windows