The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to announce an upcoming Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Renewable Integration Management with Innovative High Voltage Direct Current Power Circuit Breakers (REIMAGINE BREAKERS)." This FOA, expected to be released by the end of 2024, is aimed at supporting research and development (R&D) of high voltage direct current (HVDC) power circuit breakers (PCB). The program's focus is to address gaps in HVDC protection, reduce costs, and standardize technology to support the anticipated deployment of multi-terminal HVDC (MTDC) transmission networks in the United States.
The upcoming FOA will likely have two main topic areas. The first area aims to develop technical standards for HVDC PCBs, which are currently lacking compared to AC systems. This effort will complement DOE’s HVDC transmission portfolio and fill the gap in protection standards for MTDC systems. The second area focuses on reducing the cost, footprint, and production barriers of HVDC PCB technology through innovative design concepts. This will support increased commercial readiness of HVDC systems, essential for future transmission networks.
The DOE anticipates forming cooperative agreements for projects that will last up to three years. Award recipients will be required to contribute a minimum of 20% of non-federal cost share for R&D activities. Eligible applicants are encouraged to form partnerships with industry stakeholders such as original equipment manufacturers, utilities, and system operators.
Once the FOA is released, interested applicants will need to submit applications via Grants.gov and FedConnect. Several preliminary registrations are required, including with the System for Award Management (SAM), obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and registering with Grants.gov and FedConnect. These processes may take several weeks, so early registration is recommended. This NOI serves only as a preliminary notice, and no applications or concept papers are currently being accepted.
Further updates on this funding opportunity will be available on the Grants.gov and FedConnect platforms.
