[Federal Register: August 2, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 147)]
[Notices]
[Page 44345-44346]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02au05-39]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Expression of Interest Regarding the Scope of an Intended
Solicitation for Superconductivity Partnerships With Industry (SPI)
Projects
AGENCY: Department of Energy, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
Reliability.
ACTION: Notice of inquiry.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), as part of its
Superconductivity Program for Electric Power Systems, is currently
pursuing the development of electric power equipment incorporating high
temperature superconductors (HTS) through PSIs. The purpose is to
accelerate future commercial availability of the more efficient, higher
capacity new technology enabled by HTS for modernizing the electricity
infrastructure.
The DOE is contemplating issuing a solicitation in FY-2006 in
response to continued industrial interest and due to the impressive
technical accomplishments made to date by participating industry teams.
Applications of interest could address the next stage of HTS power line
R&D, or begin R&D for power equipment based on the expected 2006
availability of second generation (2G) HTS wires in limited quantity.
The purpose of this notice is to request expressions of interest in
responding to the contemplated solicitation. DOE also welcomes comments
on the content of the solicitation.
DATES: Written comments are to be filed electronically by e-mailing to:
SPI.comments@tms-hq.doe.gov no later than 5 p.m. eastern time September
16, 2005. Comments can also be submitted at the address listed below.
ADDRESSES: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, OE-2,
Attention: SPI Comments, U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building,
Room 6H-034, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585.
Note that U.S. Postal Service mail sent to DOE continues to be
delayed by several weeks due to security screening. Submission via
FedEx or electronically is therefore encouraged.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. James Daley, Office of Electricity
Delivery and Energy Reliability, OE-2, Attention: SPI Comments, U.S.
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20585.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE intends offering to share the cost of
multi-year projects that advance program equipment goals where the
industry contribution is typically 50% or more of the total project
costs. DOE contemplates that proposals submitted pursuant to a future
solicitation would be prepared by vertically integrated teams that
include an equipment manufacturer, an end user such as an electric
utility, and a HTS wire supplier. In addition, each team would be able
to access (via separate Cooperative Research and Development
Agreements) the capabilities of national laboratories currently
participating in the superconductivity program in performing their
project. These teams would be responsible for design, manufacture,
installation and testing the technology of their choice. The program
currently has a major focus on HTS power lines, but also has cost-
shared projects for HTS generators, transformers, motors, fault current
limiters and flywheel systems.
The DOE is contemplating issuing a solicitation in FY-2006 in
response to continued industrial interest and due to the impressive
technical accomplishments made to date by participating industry teams.
Applications of interest could address the next stage of HTS power line
R&D, or begin R&D for power equipment based on the expected 2006
availability of second generation (2G) HTS wires in limited quantity.
Subject to availability of funds, DOE anticipates that awards for the
contemplated solicitation will range from hundreds of thousands of
dollars to several million dollars per year and for project periods of
up to four years. The SPI awards would be cost-shared cooperative
agreements between DOE and the industry team. The solicitation would
also require that greater than 50% of manufacturing expenditures be in
the United States. Further, the solicitation would require that the
application include energy and economic benefits analysis, technical
performance expectations, product or system design studies, and a plan
for eventual product commercialization. A resulting award would fund
first-of-a-kind equipment R&D concluding with its operation and
testing, but would not commit DOE to follow-on phases or projects.
[[Page 44346]]
Issued in Washington, DC on July 26, 2005.
Kevin M. Kolevar,
Director, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability.
[FR Doc. 05-15208 Filed 8-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P