FUNDING NOTICE: GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES' VALUE IN IMPLEMENTING DECARBONIZATION (GRID)
US DOE announces funding opportunity for geothermal power in regional modeling grid studies

Office: Geothermal Technologies Office 
FOA number: DE-FOA-0003346
FOA Amount: $7 million
Letters of Intent (Required) Due: July 24, 2024
Applications Due: September 9, 2024 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released the Geothermal Technologies Office's (GTO) Geothermal Resources' Value in Implementing Decarbonization (GRID) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), which seeks regional grid modeling studies that quantify the potential contribution of clean, firm geothermal power in supporting an equitable transition to a future decarbonized grid and economy.  

Objective

The GTO GRID FOA aims to quantify the role of geothermal power in an equitable, decarbonized grid. This work will address the challenge of grid stability through detailed studies on how clean, firm geothermal power can support and stabilize the grid as it incorporates higher shares of variable renewable energy sources. Innovative valuation metrics developed under this FOA will provide a deeper understanding of geothermal energy's economic and reliability benefits, fostering informed decision making for future energy policies and investments, alongside research on supporting an equitable transition through geothermal deployment. GTO's strategic goals for this work are derived from the office's GeoVision analysis and Multi-Year Program Plan. Through this FOA, GTO intends to fund 1-14 regional grid modeling studies within specific power pools, joint utilities groups, utility service territories, or Tribal jurisdictions in the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawai'i, or U.S. territories. 

Topic Area

These studies should use one or more analysis approaches and tools such as capacity expansion modeling, production cost modeling, Loss-of-Load based analyses, machine learning applications, and/or alternate modeling or market design approaches. 

The FOA has one topic area: Value of Geothermal Power. Given the versatility of the "heat beneath our feet," the value of geothermal power can be represented from a few different perspectives based on the current capabilities geothermal already provides or has demonstrated, as well as emerging technology innovations that are unlocking new ability for geothermal power to contribute to the reliability of decarbonizing the grid, including: 

• Firm capacity to support resource adequacy: The reliability contribution of geothermal power is recognized as increasingly important at greater levels of grid decarbonization due to its high capacity credit. 
• Flexible geothermal power and ancillary services a) to the grid and/or b) to a deferrable load: The capability of geothermal power to operate flexibly may support grid operators in balancing across an evolving generation supply mix and customer load demand while enhancing energy value. 
• Integrated value of geothermal power with storage technologies: Hybridization of geothermal power with energy storage and/or variable renewable energy sources may bolster the cumulative diversity benefit while enhancing energy value. 
• Total system impact of geothermal power to cost of grid decarbonization: Providing a substantial role for geothermal power in near-term deployment of clean energy resources can maximize geothermal power's system-wide benefits and bolster a pathway to successfully achieving a decarbonized grid and economy. 

Teaming Partner List

DOE is compiling a Teaming Partner List to facilitate the formation of project teams for the GTO GRID FOA. The Teaming Partner List can assist organizations that wish to participate on a project to express their interest to other applicants and explore potential partnerships. See the Teaming Partner List page for more information. 

Key Dates (Subject to Change) 

FOA Issue Date:  June 12, 2024  

Informational Webinar:  June 26, 2024  

Submission Deadline for Letter of Intent (Required):  July 24, 2024 5:00 p.m. ET  

Submission Deadline for Full Applications:  September 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET  

Expected Date for EERE Selection Notifications:  December 12, 2024  

Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations:  January-February 2025  

Additional Information

• Review the FOA Quick Guide to determine eligibility and inform letters of intent and applications.
• Sign up for GTO email notifications and subscribe to our monthly Drill Down newsletter to stay current with the latest GTO news and funding opportunities

Click here to view the original announcement.