Question 1:
When an attempt to download an application for FOA # DE-FOA-0000847 from Grants.gov on 7/6/2013 a dialog box appeared stating that this FOA had not yet been posted to Grants.gov. Your posting date was listed as 7/05/2013! So that I was not able to download an application to fill out. Also it was not possible to inquire about the letter of intent.
Answer 1:
The full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is posted on the EERE eXCHANGE website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov as stated in the description on Grants.gov. Applications must be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE website to be considered for award. The applicant must first register and create an account on the EERE eXCHANGE website. A User Guide for the EERE eXCHANGE can be found on the EERE website https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx after logging in to the system. Information on where to submit questions regarding submission of letter of intents and applications are found in the full FOA posted on the EERE eXCHANGE website.
Question 2:
Marshall HydroThermal is interested in applying for such a grant as the DE-FOA-0000847, however we are powered by the kinetics and thermal differential of deep sea vents, not waves, and hence are many orders of magnitude more energy dense. Can we apply for this grant but be clear that we are not wave powered, or is there another grant that can assist us in implementing our prototype?
Answer 2:
No. DOE is not looking at any resource other than wave powered for this FOA and is intended only to identify possible site locations and evaluate the potential to establish a national wave testing facility within U.S. territorial waters. See Topic Area Information: “Open Water, Fully Energetic Wave Test Facility” in the FOA for more detailed information. Currently there are no other DOE FOAs open that meet the needs stated of deep sea vents.
Question 4:
I am wondering if my device Sea Electrical Energy Production system is eligible to submit for the Testing Infrastructure Marine Hydrokinetic Funding Opportunity. I am attaching a brief description and image of the device which was issued a US patent in April. It is a land based hydroelectric turbine that uses sea waves to drive the pumps to return the water to the sea.
Answer 4:
This FOA does not provide funding for the testing of devices. It is intended to identify possible site locations and evaluate the potential to establish a national wave testing facility within U.S. territorial waters. See Topic Area Information: “Open Water, Fully Energetic Wave Test Facility” in the FOA for more detailed information. DOE will not accept or review any documents that are not included as part of the established application process. Please note that on page 14 of the FOA it states “DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.”
Question 7:
1. Section III.C (Other Eligibility Requirements). We request verification regarding the Cost Share paragraph when a DOE National Laboratory is proposed as a team member. Is it correct that FFRDC value counts toward the award, and would be part of the project cost in calculating cost share?
2. Section IV.C.4 (Resume File). Appearing after Synergistic Activities, there are two bullets which do not seem related to synergistic activities and for which we request clarification. Regarding the first bullet, where in the resume of key personnel should indication of Principal Investigator (PI) status be made? Regarding the second bullet and multiple PIs, where in the application would indication of multiple PIs be made and the “Coordination and Management Plan” be placed? At the end of the Resume file?
Answer 7:
1. Yes. On page 14 of the FOA it states, “The applicant’s cost share requirement will be based on the total cost of the project, including the applicant’s and the FFRDC contractor’s portions of the effort.”
2. Per section IV.C of the FOA, the Principal Investigator(s) should be indicated in the following application forms; Project Summary/Abstract File and Project Narrative File. For multiple Principal Investigators, the Coordination and Management Plan should be added in the Project Narrative File as stated on page 17, “Role of Participants.”
Question 8:
1. Page 8 states that the wave annual average power density must be greater to or equal than 30 kW/m. We have a site for testing that has very energetic conditions with much greater than 30 kW/m during the winter nearly weekly as the fronts move across the Atlantic Ocean and typically a quiet summer with little wave energy except in tropical events. An example of the variable power is shown in the attachment. Over the 20 years, the annual average power density is 9.2 kW/m. Since there are a wide range of testing wave power density conditions, will this be acceptable? 2. Page 8 states that we must have access & approval for grid interconnection with sufficient line capacity to operate all testing berths simultaneously at rated power. We are proposing to use an existing DOD tower at the offshore test site. We will connect to the power on the tower in Phase I for all four test pads while the approval for land based grid connection is considered and approved. Upon acceptance in Phase II, the platform would be cabled ashore and connected to the existing Dominion Power grid. Will this be acceptable?
Answer 8:
1. Based on your calculations, it appears that your project would not meet the wave annual average power density requirements of ≥ 30 kW/m. However, DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant. Also, DOE will not accept or review any documents that are not included as part of the established application process.
2. It is up to the applicant to determine if their project meets the FOA objectives.
Question 11:
Will the deadline for this FOA be extended beyond 8/13/13?
Answer 11:
Yes, DE-FOA-0000847 - Marine and Hydrokinetic (Wave) Testing Infrastructure Development will be extended by two weeks and will now close on 8/27/2013 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
A modification to the FOA will be issued shortly to reflect the extended due date.
Question 12:
Will this FOA apply to testing a prototype device which has been constructed? Or does it only apply to projects which prepare the beach for the testing of these type of devices?
Answer 12:
The FOA will select projects to design a test facility, not actually test a device.
This FOA will fund facility development, not device development or testing.
Question 13:
Are questions still being accepted for this FOA?
Answer 13:
Per Section VII- Questions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), questions regarding the content of this FOA must be submitted via email to: Testing_Infrastructure_FOA@go.doe.gov no later than 3 business days prior to the application due date. This 3 day period is to ensure we have adequate time to respond and the inquirer has adequate time to incorporate the results of their inquiry into their application before the due date. Therefore, any further questions submitted regarding the content of this FOA may not be answered.
Please note that we at the Testing_Infrastructure_FOA@go.doe.gov mailbox are unable to provide assistance on the Exchange system. Therefore, please contact the Exchange helpdesk (see below) for any questions about the Exchange system or if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. EERE Exchange: EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov or see the Users’ Guide for Applying to the Department of Energy EERE Funding Opportunity Announcements found at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx.