Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DE-FOA-0003606
- Agency
-
National Energy Technology Lab
Department of Energy
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $48,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Categories
-
- Energy
- Natural Resources
- Eligible applicants
-
- Unrestricted
- Points of contact
-
- Justin E. Duncan justin.duncan@netl.doe.gov (412) 386-9339
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement to improve the efficiency, reliability, and flexibility of coal-based power plants through strategic refurbishment and retrofit projects. The grant opportunity seeks three compelling Topic Areas focused on advanced wastewater systems, dual firing retrofits, and natural gas cofiring systems, with the objective of restoring stability to the nation's bulk power system and supporting industrial energy security. Applicants will be evaluated based on technical merit, program policy factors, and research security considerations, with emphasis on implementing transformational technologies that significantly improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance environmental performance of coal and natural gas systems. Eligible applicants include domestic universities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, state and local governments, and Indian Tribes. The application deadline is January 23, 2026, with anticipated award notifications in May 2026 and project commencement in July 2026.
The total funding for this opportunity is approximately $100 million, with individual project awards ranging from $400,000 to $50 million. Projects will be structured across three phases, with minimum cost share requirements of 20% for initial phases and 50% for the final phase. All work must be performed domestically, with projects expected to validate technologies that can enhance operational performance and reduce emissions of coal-powered systems. The funding is part of the Fossil Energy Research and Development program (CFDA 81.089) and aims to support near-term, scalable solutions for reliable and secure electricity generation. Project performance periods are anticipated to span multiple years, focusing on implementing innovative technologies that can be rapidly deployed to improve the nation's energy infrastructure.
Synopsis
5 versions
Update #5 · Latest ·
Modification 000004: The purpose of this modification is to update NOFO Part 2, specifically to add clarifications to Section II.A.3. regarding Cost Share Types and Allowability and Section II.A.4. Unallowable Cost Share Sources. - Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to seek applications for projects to design, implement, test and validate three (3) compelling Topic Areas for strategic refurbishment/retrofit of existing coal power plants, providing a path for rapid and cost-effective restoration of stability to the nation's bulk power system while supporting the nation's industrial and energy security priorities by enabling coal powered systems to provide reliable, secure, and affordable electricity delivered in the near term at scale. Successful projects will lead to the implementation of transformational technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use. Modification 000004: The purpose of this modification is to update NOFO Part 2, specifically to add clarifications to Section II.A.3. regarding Cost Share Types and Allowability and Section II.A.4. Unallowable Cost Share Sources.
Update #4 ·
Modification 0003: The purpose of this modification is to update NOFO Part 1, Sections III.B., III.D., III.E. regarding Topic Area Requirements and extend the Application Due Date. - Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to seek applications for projects to design, implement, test and validate three (3) compelling Topic Areas for strategic refurbishment/retrofit of existing coal power plants, providing a path for rapid and cost-effective restoration of stability to the nation's bulk power system while supporting the nation's industrial and energy security priorities by enabling coal powered systems to provide reliable, secure, and affordable electricity delivered in the near term at scale. Successful projects will lead to the implementation of transformational technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use. Modification 000003: The purpose of this modification is to update NOFO Part 1, Sections III.B., III.D., III.E. regarding Topic Area Requirements and extend the Application Due Date
Update #3 ·
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to seek applications for projects to design, implement, test and validate three (3) compelling Topic Areas for strategic refurbishment/retrofit of existing coal power plants, providing a path for rapid and cost-effective restoration of stability to the nation's bulk power system while supporting the nation's industrial and energy security priorities by enabling coal powered systems to provide reliable, secure, and affordable electricity delivered in the near term at scale. Successful projects will lead to the implementation of transformational technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use.
Modification 000001: The purpose of this modification is to update the NOFO Part 1, Sections IV.C.2. and IV.C.3. to provide clarity to application requirements.
Modification 000002: The purpose of this modification is to update the NOFO Part 1, Sections II.D.1. and IV.A. to provide clarity to DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs as a Subrecipient and Use and Disclosure of Application Information.
Update #2 ·
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to seek applications for projects to design, implement, test and validate three (3) compelling Topic Areas for strategic refurbishment/retrofit of existing coal power plants, providing a path for rapid and cost-effective restoration of stability to the nation's bulk power system while supporting the nation's industrial and energy security priorities by enabling coal powered systems to provide reliable, secure, and affordable electricity delivered in the near term at scale. Successful projects will lead to the implementation of transformational technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use.
Modification 000001: Clarifications to Section(s) IV.C.2. Summary of Application Requirements and IV.C.3. Technical Volume
Update #1 ·
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to seek applications for projects to design, implement, test and validate three (3) compelling Topic Areas for strategic refurbishment/retrofit of existing coal power plants, providing a path for rapid and cost-effective restoration of stability to the nation's bulk power system while supporting the nation's industrial and energy security priorities by enabling coal powered systems to provide reliable, secure, and affordable electricity delivered in the near term at scale. Successful projects will lead to the implementation of transformational technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| DE-FOA-0003606_Part 2_Modification 000004.pdf | ||
| FundOpp_DE-FOA-0003606_Amd_000003.pdf | ||
| URL NETL Exchange.docx | DOCX document |
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