Office: Water Power Technologies Office
FOA number: DE-FOA-0002800
Link to apply: Apply on EERE Exchange
FOA Amount: Approximately $4 million
On March 2, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a project selected through this funding opportunity.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) issued an approximately $4 million funding opportunity to support the efforts of hydropower stakeholders to discuss and find paths forward on topics that include U.S. hydropower fleet modernization, and hydropower facilities’ environmental impact.
The U.S. hydropower fleet has a generating capacity of approximately 80 gigawatts, accounting for 31.5% of U.S. renewable electricity generation and about 6.3% of U.S. electricity generation. While some hydropower plants will reach the end of their useful or economic lives and be retired in coming decades, many others can continue to be valuable energy assets for decades to come. To avoid accelerated or unnecessary losses of U.S. hydropower, the existing fleet must be modernized.
Representatives from across all sectors of the hydropower community must be engaged to better understand the many complex and diverse issues affecting hydropower technologies and operational improvements. Stakeholders may include but are not limited to representatives from tribal nations, hydropower developers, owners/operators of hydropower facilities, research institutions, hydropower industry representatives, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofit organizations, and resource agencies.
Many of the issues intended to be addressed through this funding opportunity are “hot-button” issues from which stakeholders often back away. This opportunity intends to help engage stakeholders, using the services of a trained facilitator, and bring these complex conversations to the forefront to drive real action. These efforts will enhance and inform the current and future needs of R&D for hydropower technologies and environmental mitigation efforts at DOE and in industry.
DOE anticipates making one award under this funding opportunity.
WPTO will host an informational webinar at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 27, 2022, to discuss the funding opportunity and areas of focus. Register for the webinar.
Topic Area: Stakeholder Insights Into Hydropower R&D Issues
This topic area seeks to support the efforts of hydropower stakeholders to work together to discuss and address issues regarding U.S. hydropower fleet modernization, and hydropower facilities’ environmental impact. These efforts will enhance and inform the current and future needs of R&D for hydropower technologies and environmental mitigation efforts at DOE and in industry.
Key Dates
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FOA Issue Date: |
Oct. 19, 2022 |
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Informational Webinar: |
Oct. 27, 2022 |
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Submission Deadline for Full Applications: |
Nov. 18, 2022, 5 p.m. ET |
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Expected Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments: |
Dec. 22, 2022, 5 p.m. ET |
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Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications: |
February 2023 |
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Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: |
April 2023 |
Additional Information
- Download the full funding opportunity on EERE Exchange.
- For FOA-specific support, contact WPTOFOA@ee.doe.gov.
- Sign up for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) email list to get notified of new EERE funding opportunities.
- Receive the latest information on WPTO funding opportunities, events, and other news by subscribing to the monthly Hydro Headlines and Water Column newsletters, as well as the comprehensive, bimonthly Water Wire newsletter.