Zonal Isolation for Manmade Geothermal Reservoirs | DE FOA 0001945

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001945

The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Geothermal Technology Office (GTO) and administered by the Golden Field Office, released a discretionary funding opportunity called "Zonal Isolation for Manmade Geothermal Reservoirs" (FOA number DE-FOA-0001945). The main goal is to support early-stage research and development that makes enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), also described as manmade geothermal reservoirs, cheaper, safer, and more productive. The FOA focuses specifically on "zonal isolation" because being able to isolate and treat individual sections of a well can dramatically improve how precisely operators can stimulate rock, manage fracture placement, and use resources efficiently. In practical terms, better zonal isolation can reduce the number of wells needed to achieve a given power output, lower overall development costs, and cut operational risks tied to uncertain fracture growth and reservoir creation.

The opportunity is organized around two topic areas. Topic 1 targets entirely new inventions and innovative designs for zonal isolation tools and techniques tailored to EGS stimulation, meaning DOE is looking for genuinely new concepts that address geothermal-specific challenges. Topic 2 targets the adaptation of existing zonal isolation technologies for EGS stimulation, which is aimed at taking tools that may already exist in other subsurface industries and modifying them so they actually work under geothermal conditions. Across both topics, DOE is essentially trying to accelerate the availability of dependable zonal isolation methods that can be used during stimulation to better "command and control" where fractures form and how stimulation energy and fluids are distributed.

DOE highlights several performance expectations that selected projects should work toward. Proposed zonal isolation tools and technologies should present a low risk to wellbore integrity and should not degrade fracture conductivity (in other words, they should not damage the ability of fractures to transmit fluid after stimulation). They also need to operate for extended periods in the kinds of harsh environments typical of EGS: high temperatures, corrosive fluids, and hard rock conditions. Another key requirement is the ability to withstand large pressure differentials, reflecting the intense pressures involved during stimulation and the need for reliable seals and mechanical performance when isolating zones.

From an applicant and administrative standpoint, the FOA uses DOE's EERE eXCHANGE portal for submissions, and the system enforces hard deadlines by automatically disabling submission buttons once the deadline passes. The original closing date for full applications was July 25, 2018, with a submission deadline of 5:00 PM Eastern Time through https://eere-exchange.energy.gov. DOE also notes a limited pathway for accepting late applications only when a submission is delayed by technical problems beyond the applicant's control, the applicant contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for support, and the application is submitted within 24 hours of the posted deadline. Applicants experiencing technical issues are directed to contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk at exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov, with additional support available from eXCHANGE system administrators at eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov. DOE also scheduled an informational webinar for July 5, 2018 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, with the link provided in the announcement materials.

In terms of award structure, DOE planned to make about five awards, using cooperative agreements as the funding instrument (which typically implies substantial DOE involvement during the project). The award ceiling listed is $2,000,000 per award. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications that may be included in the FOA's additional eligibility language. The FOA is associated with the Energy funding activity category and CFDA number 81.087, and the full announcement and related FAQ materials were made available on EERE eXCHANGE.

• The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Zonal Isolation for Manmade Geothermal Reservoirs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 25, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 25, 2018 Submission Deadline for Full Applications 7/25/2018 500 pm ET through EERE Exchange at https://eere-Exchange.energy.gov, EEREaposs online application portal.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for DE FOA 0001945

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: