DOE's WPTO Announces $45M to Advance Tidal and Current Energy Development
Eligible applicants: higher education institutions, forprofits, nonprofits, states, local governments, tribal entities. Applications are due: July 25, 2023; October 19, 2023
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (this program is currently accepting applications)
Opportunity: BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL), SECTION 41006(A)(2): U.S. TIDAL ENERGY ADVANCEMENT
Overview and Eligible Uses: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) released this funding opportunity to advance a comprehensive approach to tidal and current energy development in the United States.
The U.S. has great potential to lead the development and testing of tidal and/or current energy, but manufacturing infrastructure in remote locations is a barrier to progress. This program aims to address these challenges by developing a pilot site, demonstrating technology, and building relationships with partners. Projects will focus on advancing the industry towards commercialization for utility and community-sized applications. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) supports two areas of focus in the tidal and/or current energy industry:
Topic Area 1 (Tidal and/or Current Site Development): The goal is to develop plans for a tidal and/or current demonstration site, engage with partners, build local relationships, install 1-5 MW of turbine capacity, and aim to transition into a commercial project. The goal is to jumpstart the industry in the U.S. by establishing a tidal and/or current energy generation project that has potential for expansion. Projects that use a systematic process to consider multiple turbine technologies and collaborate with R&D entities are encouraged.
Topic Area 2 (Community-led Tidal and/or Current Energy Planning and Project Execution): support a community-led tidal and/or current energy planning and development project in the U.S., preferably led by a community-based organization, a Tribe or government entity to show how tidal and/or current energy technologies can support community transitions to a resilient and renewably-sourced energy system.
Amount: A total of $45M is available for the program:
Topic Area 1: Two awards are expected, totaling $35M in Federal Funds with a 20% cost share requirement.
Topic Area 2: Two awards are expected, totaling $10M in Federal Funds, with a 0% cost share requirement for non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education, and a 20% cost share requirement for for-profit organizations.
Award Type: Cooperative Agreements
Eligible Applicants:
Institutions of higher education
For-profit entities
Non-profit entities
State and local governmental entities
Indian Tribes.
Key Dates:
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must submit a concept paper, with a deadline of June 5, 2023 for Topic Area 1 and 5 p.m. ET on July 13, 2023, for Topic Area 2.
Full applications for Topic Area 1 are due on July 25, 2023, and for Topic Area 2, the deadline is October 19, 2023.
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.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.