The recent passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), together with existing legislation such as the 2008 Farm Bill, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, has created unprecedented opportunities for renewable energy and clean technology companies to obtain funding from the federal government for a wide variety of energy and environmental projects. A summary of the major funding opportunities announced by the federal government during the last week can be viewed by clicking on the following link:
Funding under these programs will be awarded on a competitive basis and under tight application deadlines. Applications must contain detailed information regarding an applicant's proposal, and actual funding awards require the negotiation of detailed documentation similar to that used in complex project financings.
WilmerHale's Energy and Clean Technology practice group has extensive experience in the areas of public policy, government contracting, project finance and development, and energy regulation. We are uniquely positioned to expertly advise renewable energy and clean technology companies on the complex issues and opportunities that arise in connection with these federal funding opportunities, and to assist companies in both obtaining government funding and successfully developing their projects.
RENEWABLE AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
Hydroelectric Facility Modernization. DOE will award up to $25,000,000 to hydropower industry members or industry-led partnerships for projects that would modernize the existing hydropower infrastructure in the U.S. and increase the quantity and environmental performance of hydropower generation. Projects that propose to use advanced technologies that improve upon technologies or operations in common use are preferred.
Current application deadline: August 20, 2009
For details, click here.
Advanced Energy Efficient Building Technologies. DOE will award between $250,000 and $2,000,000 per applicant for projects in six general areas of interest: (1) advanced building control strategies, communications and information technologies for net-zero energy buildings; (2) analysis, design and technical tools; (3) building envelope and windows; (4) residential and commercial HVAC and crosscutting air conditioning and refrigeration research; (5) water heating, residential and commercial appliances and MELs; and (6) solar heating and cooling. At least 75% of the labor cost for projects must be incurred in the U.S., unless the applicant can demonstrate that it is in the economic interest of the U.S. to adjust this ratio.
Current application deadline: August 18, 2009
For details, click here.
Building America Energy Efficient Housing Partnerships. DOE will award up to $5,000,000 (for two or five year periods depending on topic area) to industry teams that will implement research and technical support programs focusing on new home efficiency and existing home retrofits.
Current application deadline: August 24, 2009
For details, click here.
Community Renewable Energy Deployment. DOE will award grants to state, local and tribal governments for projects that address the technical, economic and policy barriers to implementing renewable energy technologies at the community level. Projects should be capable of future replication by other communities.
Current application deadline: September 3, 2009
For details, click here.
Baseload Concentrating Solar Power Generation. DOE will award up to $10,800,000 per applicant for projects that develop and evaluate concentrating solar power ("CSP") components and/or systems that will make the development of cost competitive high capacity solar power electricity plants possible. Applicants may choose from two topic areas: (1) research and development of concepts and components that can be part of a CSP baseload system; and (2) feasibility evaluation and development of prototype systems that may be implemented in the field.
Current application deadline: October 15, 2009
For details, click here.
Development of Algal/Advanced Biofuels Consortia. DOE will award up to $50,000,000 per applicant to aid in the establishment of consortia addressing one of two primary topic areas: (1) development of algae based biofuels; and (2) development of advanced cellulosic biofuels. The development of consortia is intended to increase the viability and deployment of renewable energy technologies, spur the creation of a domestic bio-industry, and reduce U.S. dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Current application deadline: September 14, 2009
For details, click here.
Large Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility. The application deadline for this program has been extended.
New application deadline: August 13, 2009
For details, click here.
To view additional information on this program, click here.
