CMEI intends to issue, on behalf of AFFO, a NOFO titled, “Leveraging Domestic Infrastructure and Resources to Unleash Alternative Chemicals, Fuels, and Feedstocks”. This NOFO will seek applications for financial assistance awards that would support AFFO’s vision to push the frontiers of science and engineering, advance energy addition, and unleash American energy innovation.
The purpose of the potential NOFO is to solicit innovative technologies that harness existing domestic biomass and pipeline resources to expand energy production and distribution. The NOFO will advance multiple alternative fuels and feedstock technology areas to maximize the benefits of these existing resources: the production of liquid intermediate products made from biomass, that are chemically, thermally, and physically stable, and that could be sold as commodities for various end applications, including for further upgrading to renewable fuels and chemicals; production of commodity chemicals and fuels at market prices from alternative feedstocks, leveraging existing refinery assets; and establishing pilot sites for blended hydrogen-natural gas that closely simulate actual gas distribution networks, to improve reliability, scalability, suitability, performance, and durability.
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Topic Area 1: Biointermediate Depots
The intent of this topic is to establish 5-10 dry tons per day pilot-scale sites that produce more traditional intermediate products, such as sugars, biocrudes, or bio-oils, from biomass and wastes. The projects will derisk the solids-to-liquids conversion step while also validating the economics of distributed depots that would operate like spokes sending the intermediates to a central hub, or biorefinery, for further upgrading to finished products.
Feedstocks of interest include lignocellulosic biomass such as corn stover, woody residues, and other agriculture by-products, algae, organic wet wastes, municipal solid waste, and other waste streams such as used tires, non-recyclable plastics, and construction and demolition debris.
Topic Area 2: Refinery Integration
The intent of this topic is to support a test run converting an intermediate at an existing pilot-scale facility of minimum 10 gallons per day (0.2 barrels per day or 0.02 tons per day) at the reactor throat for minimum 1,000 cumulative hours. It is anticipated that work scope would include process optimization and project definition, then conducting the test and updating technoeconomic modeling. It is possible that work is needed in the pretreatment of the intermediate to define critical material attributes acceptable for a refinery or petrochemical unit operation.
Feedstocks of interest include intermediates from biomass or waste such as waste plastics. A requirement will be applications must explain credible path for cost-effective conversion of feedstock to chemicals and/or strategic fuel without incentives at commercial scale.
Topic Area 3: Pilot Site for Hydrogen/Natural Gas Blending
The intent of this topic is to establish a blending pilot facility capable of evaluating components and practices related to blending hydrogen into natural gas distribution and transmission systems. The facility needs to address stakeholders needs pertaining to evaluation of systems and components and potentially supporting stakeholder unique workforce needs arising from blending activity.
Target blending levels include up to 30% hydrogen by volume, with a stretch goal of up to 80%. Applicants should leverage existing relevant assets and include a business and management plan for continued facility operation after the end of the DOE award.
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Teaming Partners
DOE is creating a list of "Teaming Partners" to help organizations find each other and form new project teams for this NOFO. If your organization wants to be part of a team, you can add your contact information to this list. This allows different groups to show their interest and find potential collaborators.
Here is how it works:
To join the list: If you organization wants to be included on this list, you need to submit your information to the Teaming Partner List on eXCHANGe.
Updates: The Teaming Partner List will be updated regularly and kept on eXCHANGE website. This means that as new organizations add their information, the list will be refreshed.
Important note: By asking to be on this list, you agree that the information you provide will be shared publicly. DOE is helping connect potential partners; we are not endorsing, sponsoring, or checking the qualifications of anyone on this list. Also, DOE will not pay for any information you provide or for your time in developing this information.
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This NOI is for informational purposes only; we are not requesting comments or applications at this time. All information provided here is subject to change. This notice serves to inform interested parties that the DOE may issue a NOFO. Please be aware that any future NOFO could differ significantly from what is described here, or one may not be issued at all. We will provide a designated channel for questions once a NOFO is officially released.