Laboratory-Led Solutions Will Help Develop the Manufacturing Workforce of the Future and Deploy Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Technologies to Decarbonize the Industrial Sector
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new lab call with up to $15.8 million in funding to support technical assistance programs for the adoption and implementation of highly efficient combined heat and power technologies and to develop a manufacturing-focused education and workforce development roadmap.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) invites the national laboratories to submit proposals focused on two areas of interest:
1. Combined Heat and Power Deployment Program
Combined heat and power (CHP) simultaneously produce electricity and heat nearly twice as efficiently as alternatives. CHP systems have proven highly effective in decreasing emissions, particularly in industrial applications where energy-intensive operations often require significant heat. CHP also confers significant resiliency benefits, allowing critical facilities to maintain power in the face of grid disruptions.
The selected laboratory will support AMO’s CHP technical assistance efforts to overcome widespread deployment barriers and transition to zero carbon fuels through technical assistance, analysis, tracking progress, and partnering. AMO is also working to extend the reach of CHP activities into underserved communities.
2. Education and Workforce Development Roadmap
Bolstering the U.S. manufacturing sector workforce is key to driving industrial decarbonization and the manufacture of clean energy technologies. However, with technology advance and worker retirements, many manufacturers are negatively impacted by workforce skill shortages. Targeted education and workforce development programs will be critical to developing the talent pipeline and securing U.S. manufacturing leadership.
AMO’s efforts to develop a roadmap for educational and workforce advancement will help launch next-gen technology and provide diverse resources for both students and professionals that align with the diverse portfolio of industry, and will lead to a cleaner, greener economy and future.
National laboratory applicants can learn more about this lab call opportunity here.
This announcement is part of DOE’s Future of Manufacturing campaign. For more information on DOE’s commitment to creating a resilient American manufacturing future that supports economy-wide decarbonization and to join the conversation, visit the AMO website.
EERE’s mission is to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to equitably transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050, and ensure the clean energy economy benefits all Americans, creating good paying jobs for the American people—especially workers and communities impacted by the energy transition and those historically underserved by the energy system and overburdened by pollution.