Coal-Based Power Plants of the Future | DE FOA 0001931

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001931

The "Coal-Based Power Plants of the Future" opportunity (DE FOA 0001931) is a Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Request for Information (RFI) published under the Fossil Energy Research and Development umbrella (CFDA 81.089). Its main goal is to collect practical, real-world input from the coal power ecosystem, specifically power generation equipment manufacturers, electric utilities, power plant architect-engineers, and other relevant stakeholders. DOE wants these responses to shape a longer-term federal R&D effort that is intended to end with a very concrete deliverable: the design, construction, and operation of a coal-based, pilot-scale power plant by 2025.

A central theme of the RFI is that DOE is looking beyond conceptual studies and is focused on a pilot plant that can serve as a credible stepping stone to a commercial product. The pilot facility is intended to inform a scalable commercial offering that can compete economically in both U.S. and international markets. The envisioned commercial plant concept emphasizes three defining characteristics. First, it must be highly efficient, targeting 40 percent or greater efficiency on a higher heating value (HHV) basis, which is a demanding benchmark for coal-based generation and signals an interest in advanced cycles, improved heat integration, and modern plant designs. Second, it must be modular, with unit sizes roughly in the 50 to 350 megawatt range, implying an interest in standardized, repeatable plant blocks that can be deployed in stages or adapted to different grid and siting needs. Third, it must be economical, meaning the design should be cost-conscious not only in capital costs but also in operational and maintenance realities, constructability, supply chain constraints, and the kinds of deployment environments typical in domestic and overseas markets.

On carbon management, the RFI draws an important line: the pilot plant and the eventual commercial configuration are not required to capture and store carbon dioxide as part of baseline operation, but they must be "carbon capture ready." In practice, that means DOE wants designs that can be fitted or upgraded for carbon capture later without prohibitive rework. This typically points to forward-looking provisions such as space allocation, integration points for capture systems, steam and power balances that can accommodate capture loads, flue gas conditions compatible with capture technologies, and overall plant layouts that avoid dead ends when retrofits are needed.

The administrative posture of the notice is also straightforward. Despite carrying an "FOA" style number, this publication is explicitly not a Funding Opportunity Announcement and does not invite grant applications. DOE states it is not accepting applications under this RFI, and the expected number of awards is listed as zero, reinforcing that this is an information-gathering step rather than a funding competition. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any entity type may respond as long as they follow any clarifications in the full text, which is consistent with RFIs that aim to gather broad industry and stakeholder feedback rather than restrict participation.

Key dates and submission logistics frame how stakeholders were meant to engage. The RFI was created on May 8, 2018, with an original closing date of June 8, 2018. Responses were required to be submitted electronically as an Adobe Acrobat PDF to NETL via email at DE-FOA-0001931@NETL.DOE.GOV, no later than 8:00 PM Eastern Time on June 8, 2018. In short, the opportunity is best understood as DOE/NETL casting a wide net for technical, commercial, and deployment-informed input to de-risk and define a next-generation coal pilot plant pathway, with a strong emphasis on high efficiency, modularity, affordability, and future compatibility with carbon capture.

• The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Coal-Based Power Plants of the Future" 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 May 08, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 08, 2018 Responses to this Request for Information are to be submitted electronically in Adobe Acrobat PDF to NETL at the following e-mail address DE-FOA-0001931@NETL.DOE.GOV no later than 800 PM ET on June 8, 2018.. (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 $2.00 in funding.
• 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 0001931

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