Preliminary Design and Techno-Economic Analysis of MWe-Class Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems | DE FOA 0001850

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001850

The Department of Energy, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), released a discretionary funding opportunity (DE FOA 0001850) focused on the preliminary design and techno-economic analysis of megawatt-electric (MWe) class solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power systems. In practical terms, this opportunity is aimed at moving SOFC technology closer to commercial readiness by funding work that defines credible system designs at the multi-megawatt scale and then rigorously evaluates how those designs perform economically and technically. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means DOE expects more active involvement than a standard grant, with regular technical engagement and project oversight as the work progresses.

The SOFC program mission described in the announcement centers on enabling efficient, low-cost electricity generation from two broad categories of systems. The first category is "2nd Generation" natural gas-fueled distributed generation (DG) SOFC systems, along with modular coal-fueled systems. These are generally smaller, modular approaches intended to be deployable in more decentralized settings while still benefiting from SOFCs high electrical efficiency and fuel flexibility. The second category is more ambitious: "transformational" utility-scale systems fueled by either coal or natural gas and designed to integrate carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). That utility-scale focus reflects DOE interest in pairing high-efficiency electrochemical power conversion with pathways to deep carbon reduction, especially where capturing CO2 is a priority.

The work supported under this opportunity is positioned within DOE's broader Clean Coal and Carbon Management Research Program (CCCMRP). The emphasis is on collaboration between research and development that tackles specific technical and economic barriers to commercial viability, and the parallel development and deployment activities that help validate proposed solutions at the power-system level. That framing signals that DOE is not only looking for conceptual designs, but also for designs and analyses grounded in realistic engineering assumptions, supply chains, and operational constraints, with enough detail to credibly inform later-stage demonstrations and investment decisions.

From a funding standpoint, the opportunity listed an award ceiling of $23,000,000 and anticipated making about six awards. Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was open to a wide range of entity types (for example, private companies, universities, nonprofits, and others), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may have appeared in the full FOA text. The program is associated with CFDA number 81.089, and the activity category is energy, science and technology, and other research and development. The FOA was created on March 7, 2018, with an original closing date of May 7, 2018, though applicants were directed to consult the full FOA for the precise application due date details and any phased submission requirements.

Overall, the opportunity can be understood as DOE/NETL investing in the front-end engineering and economic case-building needed to scale SOFC systems into the MWe class, with particular attention to natural gas distributed generation, modular coal configurations, and large utility-scale plants that incorporate CCS. The core intent is to reduce uncertainty around performance, cost, and integration challenges early enough that subsequent pilot and demonstration projects can proceed with clearer designs, stronger business cases, and fewer surprises.

• The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Preliminary Design and Techno-Economic Analysis of MWe-Class Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.089.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 07, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 07, 2018 Please refer to the FOA application due date information contained in the full FOA announcement.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $23,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for DE FOA 0001850

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