Smart Grid Stimulus Continues: $100 Million More Will Go to Transformational Energy Research

DOE has announced its second round of funding opportunities totaling $100 million for transformational energy research projects through its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). In this round of funding, accepted projects will focus on Smart Grid technologies research in biofuels, carbon capture and electric vehicle batteries.

Interested parties should move quickly, though. Concept papers must be received by ARPA-E by Jan. 15, 2010.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu, who announced the funding jointly with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, said the Recovery Act money will be available to accelerate green technology innovation, increase America's competitiveness and create jobs.

"I am pleased to announce ARPA-E's second funding opportunity because it demonstrates our commitment to lead the next Industrial Revolution in clean energy technologies, creating thousands of new jobs while helping cut carbon pollution," Chu said.

The three areas specifically identified for prospective research projects include:

·         Electrofuels. ARPA-E is looking for new methods of producing liquid transportation fuels that do not use petroleum or biomass. The intent is to develop an entirely new way of producing fuel. Applicants should provide proposals that utilize metabolic engineering and synthetic biological approaches to converting carbon dioxide into liquid fuel.

·         Innovative Materials and Processes for Advanced Carbon Capture Technologies. Coal-fired power plants now provide roughly 50% of the country's electricity. While coal is cheap and abundant, it is linked to global warming. The focus of these projects is high-risk, high-reward research in carbon capture technologies.

·         Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage in Transportation. In this category, ARPA-E wants research projects that lead to the development of ultra-high energy density, low-cost battery technologies for long-range plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. The development of high-energy, low-cost batteries has been the ultimate challenge to widespread deployment of hybrid and electric vehicles.

The first funding opportunity completed earlier this year provided money for 37 projects in energy storage, biofuels, carbon capture, renewable energy, building efficiency, vehicles and other areas.

   Previous ARPA-E Smart Grid stimulus awards

   DOE news release