20% Wind by 2030: Overcoming the Challenges

archived

A link to the full Funding Opportunity Announcement is found by scrolling to the bottom of this page. The Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program (WHTP) contributes directly to the Department of Energy’s mission of improving national, energy, and economic security and increasing the diversity of our Nation’s energy resources. The WHTP’s mission is to maximize renewable energy utilization in the United States by leading the Nation’s research and development efforts to improve wind and water energy generation technology, in coordination with stakeholders, and to address barriers to the use of renewable energy. Fulfilling this mission will result in greater energy security and enhanced domestic economic benefit through more diverse, clean, reliable, affordable, and secure domestic electricity supplies. The Wind Energy Program has increased focus on near- to medium-term actions to significantly accelerate use of wind energy technologies, thus reducing the Nation’s dependence on imported and environmentally damaging energy sources. The Program launched an effort, in collaboration with industry, to assess the potential for and impact of providing 20% of the Nation’s electrical energy from wind technology. In May 2008, DOE issued the “20% Wind Energy by 2030” report. The report found that the Nation possesses affordable wind energy resources far in excess of those needed to enable a 20% scenario. However, major challenges need to be overcome and require action for 20% wind to be possible: • Investment in a national transmission system, so, for example, the power generated in Midwest locations can be delivered to urban centers on the east coast; • Larger electric load balancing areas are required, in tandem with better regional planning, so that regions can depend on a diversity of renewable generation sources; • Continued reduction in wind turbine capital costs through technology advancement and improved manufacturing capabilities; • Improved wind turbine performance and reduction of operating and maintenance costs through improved reliability; • Addressing concerns about local siting, wildlife, and environmental issues within the context of electricity generation. • Develop an abundant and skilled workforce to supply the growing renewable energy industry. Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov to be considered for award. Questions regarding the content of the announcement should be submitted through the “Submit Question” feature of the DOE Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) at http://e-center.doe.gov. VERY IMPORTANT: To complete and submit applications through Grants.gov, there are several actions you must complete (e.g., obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, register with the Central Contract Registry (CCR), install the PureEdge Viewer, register with the credential provider, and register with Grants.gov). Applicants are highly encouraged to register as soon as possible and should allow at least 21 days to complete the registration process. When done, call the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 to verify successful registration. Registration Instructions are found on the Grants.gov web site at http://www.grants.gov and in the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Microsoft Vista and Office 2007 Compatibility: Grants.gov is currently incompatible with both the new Microsoft (MS) Vista Operating System and the new Microsoft (MS) Office 2007 versions of Word, Excel, and Power Point. In order to create and submit your application to Grants.gov, you must find a computer with a previous version Microsoft Operating System, such as Windows XP. If you attach a file created using MS Office 2007, you will not get an error message when you submit the application, HOWEVER, your entire application will not be able to be processed or accepted at Grants.gov and will not reach DOE. Grants.gov can accept applications with attachments created in MS Office 2007 if the attachments are saved in the prior format. See the http://www.grants.gov/assets/Vista_and_office_07_Compatibility.pdf for detailed instructions on how to do this. A file created in MS Office 2007 can be identified by the x at the end of the file extension, for example sample.docx for a Word file. Help Mode: It is important to complete all the required fields in accordance with the pop-up instructions on the Application forms. To activate the instructions, turn on the “Help Mode” (Icon with the pointer and question mark at the top of the form). Should you have questions regarding the operation of Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726. Contact Center hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 7:00am to 9:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

High