DOE Opens $8M for Renewable Integration Management with Innovative High Voltage Direct Current Power Circuit Breakers (REIMAGINE BREAKERS)
Applications are due Friday February 28th, 2025, at 5pm EST
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (this program is accepting applications)
Opportunity: Renewable Integration Management with Innovative High Voltage Direct Current Power Circuit Breakers (REIMAGINE BREAKERS)
Overview and Eligible Uses: This grant program, led by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), seeks applications under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to advance high-voltage direct current (HVDC) circuit breaker (DCCB) technology. The program involves collaboration between the Office of Electricity’s Transformer Resilience and Advanced Components (TRAC) Program and the Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO). It aims to address critical gaps in HVDC technology, including standardization and innovation in HV DCCB designs to enhance the integration and reliability of HVDC transmission systems for both offshore and land-based wind energy applications. The program responds to legislative directives and industry needs to reduce the cost and improve the performance of HVDC technologies, thereby supporting the modernization and resilience of the nation’s electricity grid.
Topic Area 1 – Standardization of HVDC Power Circuit Breaker Technology
This topic area focuses on developing technical standards for HV DCCB technology, essential for the protection and interoperability of hardware within multi-terminal HVDC systems. Eligible uses include:
Developing vendor-neutral standards covering key technical specifications such as rated voltage, interrupting time, peak fault interrupting current, and insulation levels.
Conducting gap analyses of existing standards and initiating standards modifications through collaboration with IEEE or other standard-setting bodies.
Defining functional requirements and technical specifications that support the integration of HVDC power circuit breakers into existing and future transmission networks.
Forming collaborative partnerships with industry members, utilities, and academic institutions to drive consensus and adoption of these standards.
Topic Area 2 – Innovative HV DCCB Designs
This topic area aims to foster innovative designs for HV DCCBs that can improve performance, reduce costs, and minimize footprint, particularly for offshore wind applications. Eligible uses include:
Proposing scalable, manufacturable designs that improve upon existing commercially available products.
Utilizing simulation, emulation, or other analytic methods to validate performance improvements compared to baseline designs.
Developing prototypes and scaling innovations to address constraints specific to offshore wind substations.
Demonstrating a reduction in the overall cost of HV DCCB technology through improved design efficiency and cost-effective manufacturing methods.
Coordinating with the standards development team from Topic Area 1 to ensure design compatibility with future standards.
Amount: Total Program Funding: $8,000,000
Topic Area 1:
Approximate total available funding: $1,500,000
Approximate number of awards: 1
Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: up to $1,500,000
Topic Area 2:
Approximate total available funding: $6,500,000
Approximate number of awards: 2-3
Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: up to $3,250,000
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement
Eligible Applicants:
Domestic Entities (Institutes of higher education; for-profit entities; non-profit entities; state and local government entities and Indian Tribes)
DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs (excluding NETL)
Key Dates: Applications due: Friday, February 28th, 2025, at 5:00pm EST
Key Links:
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
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