Voucher Opportunity 3 (Recipients) - Clean Energy Demonstration Project Siting/Permitting Support (OCED/EERE)

States, local governments, tribes, and other Authority Having Jurisdictions (AHJs) interested in learning about and facilitating clean energy demonstration project siting and permitting processes should take advantage of this voucher opportunity. This opportunity is designed to help AHJs streamline siting and permitting processes to advance commercialization and demonstration of innovative clean energy technologies. This will be achieved by matching Voucher Recipients (AHJs and related institutions) with Voucher Providers (technical experts on clean energy development and operations) to work together. See below for additional info about eligibility and timeline.

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Technology Commercialization Fund, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), in collaboration with ENERGYWERX, are offering this Clean Energy Demonstration Project Siting/Permitting Support Voucher Opportunity (VO-3) to AHJs and other relevant entities to understand new clean energy technology benefits and challenges, evaluate siting and permitting best practices developed by similar jurisdictions, develop streamlined permitting processes, and support community engagement on related issues. The ultimate goal is to increase adoption readiness (with a focus on license to operate) of new clean energy technologies.

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View the Pre-Approved Voucher Providers: Click Here to View

Complete the Recipient Submission Form: Click Here to Submit for VO-3

The DOE Voucher Program builds bridges between U.S. entrepreneurs, businesses, technology developers or other relevant partners and third-party voucher providers to advance commercialization of innovative energy technologies. VO-3 enables expert assistance to help AHJs and other relevant entities understand new clean energy technology benefits, address siting/permitting challenges, and support the demonstration of new energy technologies.

DOE has selected and pre-approved a cohort of voucher providers offering a variety of capabilities you might be interested in: Click Here to View the Pre-Approved Voucher Providers. For this voucher opportunity, capabilities include:

• Evaluating siting and permitting best practices developed by similar jurisdictions,
• Developing streamlined permitting processes,
• Educating first responders and related personnel on technology safety requirements and risks
• Evaluating locality infrastructure/logistical readiness to utilize the designated technologies,
• Supporting community engagement on related issues.

When you apply, you will review the available capabilities and submit your preferences in the voucher recipient request form. If you find something that can be valuable to your organization and that can enable your organization to accelerate demonstration, commercialization, and deployment of new clean energy technologies, please consider applying to receive that in-kind support.

Note: The full list of pre-approved voucher provider capabilities is available here. Please carefully read through the descriptions, deliverables, required inputs, applicable technology area(s), and other related information for each capability. DOE will not allow changes to the high-level scope of work defined in the voucher provider’s capability submission.

Voucher Projects: Vouchers will be distributed as in-kind support, meaning that ENERGYWERX will directly reimburse the voucher provider for the work they have completed on behalf of the voucher recipients. DOE anticipates the value of the voucher to be up to $100,000. However, the specific value depends on the specific capability and is discussed only between DOE and the provider.

Only work related to specific technology areas will be eligible to receive a voucher under this opportunity. List of eligible technology areas:

• With OCED Funding (approximately 45 vouchers):‍
  • Advanced nuclear‍
  • Carbon management (including carbon capture and direct air capture)‍
  • Long-duration energy storage‍
  • Clean hydrogen‍
  • Industrial decarbonization‍
  • Upgrades to the electric grid‍
  • Clean Energy Demonstration on Current and Former Mine Land‍
  • Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas

• With EERE Funding (approximately 5 vouchers):
  • Advanced materials and Manufacturing Technologies‍
  • Building efficiency
  • ‍Geothermal‍
  • Solar‍
  • Water
  • Wind
  • Bioenergy
  • ‍Vehicle technologies

DOE anticipates issuing approximately 50 vouchers. Please note that funding is not equally available for all technology areas. The majority of funding for this voucher opportunity comes from OCED (see above).

Voucher Recipients: Limited to AHJ’s or other relevant entities seeking to host clean energy projects that fit a specific technology vertical of interest for DOE OCED or EERE. Preference will be given to potential voucher recipients who have not previously received support through this program.

This opportunity is limited to one submission per requesting organization. In the case of multiple submissions, DOE will consider only the submission with the latest time stamp.

Pending availability of funds, additional submission windows may open in the future for this voucher opportunity.

Voucher Recipients: How to Participate in VO-3

• Watch the Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session recording: Click Here to Watch
• Review the resources from the Informational Office Hours Session on August 27, 2024 from 3:00-3:45 PM ET under Webinar Resources
• Complete the Recipient Submission Form: Click Here to Submit for VO-3 (Submissions are due NLT September 12, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET)

This is not the only voucher opportunity currently available through ENERGYWERX. See here for additional information related to other voucher opportunities.