Grants and cooperative agreements; availability, etc.: Solar/converter technology advancement; university research,

[Federal Register: March 8, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 46)]

[Notices]

[Page 12223-12224]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr08mr00-51]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Golden Field Office; Supplemental Announcement to the Broad Based Solicitation for Financial Assistance Applications Involving Research, Development and Demonstration for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; University Research for the Advancement of the Solar Dish/Converter Technology

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION: Supplemental Announcement 06 to the Broad Based Solicitation for Submission of Financial Assistance Applications Involving Research, Development and Demonstration DE-PS36-00GO10482

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the DOE Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.8, is announcing its intention to solicit applications from accredited colleges or universities for the advancement of solar dish/converter technology. The financial assistance awards issued as a result of this Supplemental Announcement will be cooperative agreements.

DATES: DOE expects to issue the Supplemental Announcement in March 2000.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Supplemental Announcement, once issued, can be obtained from the Golden Field Office Home page at http:// www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicitations.html. It is DOE's intention not to issue hard copies of the Solicitation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under this Supplemental Announcement, DOE is soliciting Applications from accredited colleges or universities for fundamental research that advances solar dish/converter technology. Innovative subsystem, component, or system concepts are sought for ultimate integration into a technically and economically viable dish/ converter system in the 1 to 5 kWerange. The

[[Page 12224]]

development of alternate or advanced power conversion devices, advancements of dish concentrator components, and the integration of these conversion devices and concentrator concepts are of specific interest.

A goal of DOE's Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Program is the development of clean, competitive, and reliable power options using concentrated sunlight. To achieve this goal, the Department of Energy is interested in fundamental research that will advance existing solar dish/converter technology through improved performance, increased reliability, and reduced cost. The DOE is also interested in supporting research of new and innovative system concepts which have the potential for efficiently converting concentrated solar energy to electricity in the 1 to 5 kWerange. To improve the economic viability, small-scale (5-10 m \2\) concentrators can be combined with potentially reliable, low-cost 1-5 kWeconverter options such as concentrating PV or small free-piston Stirling engines.

Applicants are requested to conduct fundamental research that either advances the performance of dish/converter technologies or the development of new system concepts and to demonstrate system or component performance through test, modeling, or analysis. Research should be directed towards the design and development of subsystems, components, or system designs through the enhancement or adaptation of existing technology or through the development of advanced technologies.

System or component concepts with the potential to improve dish/ converter technology performance, operability, and economics will be major factors in selecting Applications for award. Successful Applicants will develop designs that can lower system cost (i.e., capital, installation, operation, or maintenance), improve performance, and increase system reliability and maintainability. As part of the research, design concepts or component performance must be verified through test, modeling, or analysis. Submittal and acceptance of an interim report, along with a design review, will be required prior to proceeding with prototype development or concept verification. Eligibility for continued funding will be based on the quality of the interim report, results of the design review, viability of the design, and the availability of DOE funding.

Applications under this Supplemental Announcement must demonstrate the capabilities, commitment, and resources necessary to conduct the research and the potential to either enhance or adapt existing technology or advance the state of solar dish/converter technology. Technical support and assistance may be provided by the Department of Energy, through the National Laboratories. Any specific support through a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), which includes all DOE National Laboratories, should be included as a separate task in the Statement of Work and the related costs separately identified. These costs should not be included in the proposed budget.

Only accredited colleges or universities are eligible to apply for Financial Assistance under this Supplemental Announcement. Awards under this Supplemental Announcement will be Cooperative Agreements with terms of up to three years. Subject to funding availability, a total of $2,000,000 in DOE funding is anticipated over a three year period for all awards under this Supplemental Announcement. The DOE anticipates selecting three to five applications for award under this Supplemental Announcement. However, upon funding availability, DOE reserves the right to fund portions of additional applications. As fundamental research is solicited through this Supplemental Announcement, no cost share is required in order to be considered for award under this solicitation. However, cost share will be considered in selecting applications for award.

Solicitation Number DE-PS36-00GO10482, in conjunction with Supplemental Announcement 06, will include complete information on the program including technical aspects, funding, application preparation instructions, application evaluation criteria, and other factors that will be considered when selecting projects for funding. Responses to the Supplemental Announcement will be due approximately 90 days following issuance of the Supplemental Announcement. Questions should be submitted in writing to: Ruth E. Adams, DOE Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393; transmitted via facsimile to Ruth E. Adams at (303) 275-4788; or electronically to ruth__adams@nrel.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Adams, Contracting Officer, at 303-275-4722, e-mail ruth__adams@nrel.gov.

Issued in Golden, Colorado, on February 29, 2000. Jerry L. Zimmer, Procurement Director, GO.

[FR Doc. 00-5656Filed3-7-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P