***Selections for Generation 3 Concentrating Solar Power Systems were announced on May 15, 2018. See a list of projects here.***
Subprogram: Concentrating Solar Power
Funding Number: DE-FOA-0001697
Funding Amount: $62 million
Description
The Generation 3 Concentrating Solar Power Systems (Gen3CSP) funding program will take successful, high temperature, lab-scale sub-component concentrating solar power technologies, develop them into integrated assemblies, and test these components and systems through a wide range of conditions. This includes the development of a test facility that allows diverse teams of researchers, laboratories, developers and manufacturers to remove key technological risks for the next generation CSP technology and enable the reduction of the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for electricity generated by CSP to 6 ¢/kWh or less, without subsidies, by the end of the decade.
The Gen3CSP funding program will flow through two phases to de-risk various aspects of CSP technologies. Phase 1 addresses the gaps in technology pathways and retiring the most important risks through applied research and development. Phase 2 consists of building a test facility for the selected pathway where tests can be performed for future use in a large scale CSP plant development.
Awards will be separated into three topics, each of which will overlap the two phases:
- Topic 1 awardees will perform overall integration and systems analysis, then finalize a design before down-selection to one single pathway. The down-selected awardee will construct a test facility and conduct research and risk retirement activities; and
- Topic 2 awardees will design and build components for CSP systems and conduct cross-cutting, foundational testing to complement the Topic 1 pathways.
SunShot expects to make approximately 12 awards under Gen3CSP, each ranging between $500,000 and $35 million for a total of $62 million. Topic 1 awardees will have a 20% cost share requirement. Prior to submitting a full application for this opportunity, a brief, mandatory concept paper is due on November 3, 2017. See all application deadlines in the table below.
| FOA Issue Date: | September 11, 2017 |
| Informational Webinar: | September 19, 2017, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET |
| Submission Deadline for Mandatory Concept Papers: | November 3, 2017 5:00pm ET |
| Submission Deadline for Full Applications: | January 19, 2018 5:00pm ET |
| Expected Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments: | March 2, 2018 5:00pm ET |
| Expected Date for EERE Selection Notifications: | May 2018 |
| Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: | July 2018 |
Additional Information
Download the full funding opportunity on the EERE Exchange website
View the Concentrating Solar Power Gen3 Demonstration Roadmap
Read the press release about this funding opportunity announcement
For FOA-specific support, contact Gen3CSP@ee.doe.gov
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