Department of Energy Issues Notice of Intent to Fund Research for Waste-to-Energy Community Solutions that Advance the U.S. Bioeconomy
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) announced their intent to issue a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to support the development of community planning and strategies for converting organic waste into feedstock for various clean transportation fuel products. The WASTE: Waste Analysis and Strategies for Transportation End-uses funding opportunity would help local communities develop cost-effective approaches to sustainably manage their waste stream infrastructures. It would also help municipalities and local transportation authorities meet local demand for energy that can be derived from these waste streams.
For many communities, organic waste from food, wastewater sludge, industrial operations, and other commons sources can present considerable economic, environmental, and social sustainability challenges. Those waste streams are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and degrade air and water quality, and there are significant management costs associated with their treatment, stabilization, transport, and disposal.
State and local regulations are increasingly prohibiting waste streams from being disposed of in landfills, requiring innovative waste-to-energy processing strategies and novel new business models. As waste handling infrastructure is disproportionately located in disadvantaged communities, this potential funding could be critical to achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of an equitable, clean energy future of net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050.
The potential FOA is expected for December 2023 and could include up to $7.5 million in federal funding to achieve the above outcomes by focusing on the following topic areas:
- Supporting communities’ development of in-depth feasibility analyses of potential waste-to-fuels solutions,
- Supporting communities with completed feasibility studies to advance detailed engineering designs and, in some cases, support the initiation of experimental work and data generation to further define project concepts.
DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) envisions awarding multiple financial assistance awards in the form of cooperative agreements lasting approximately 12-24 months. More information on applicant eligibility and registration requirements can be found here.
Teaming Partner List
BETO has compiled a Teaming Partner List to encourage collaboration and facilitate the formation of project teams. The list allows organizations wishing to apply for funding to explore partnering with other prospective applicants. Partnerships can provide additional expertise and resources to successfully meet FOA goals.
Any organization that would like to be included on this list should submit information via the Teaming Partner List on EERE Exchange.
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