***Projects under this FOA were announced on December 19, 2017. Learn more and read the project descriptions.***
Subprogram: Systems Integration
Funding Number: DE-FOA-0001649
Funding Amount: $10 million
Description
The Solar Forecasting 2 funding program will support projects that enable grid operators to better forecast how much solar energy will be added to the grid and accelerate the integration of these forecasts into energy management systems used by grid operators and utility companies. These tools will enable grid operators to manage the variability and uncertainty of solar power, ensuring that they can reliably and efficiently integrate large amounts of solar on to the grid.
There are three topic areas under this funding opportunity:
- Topic Area 1 will develop a test framework to benchmark solar irradiance and solar power forecasting models. The single awardee chosen will develop a transparent set of rules and metrics for forecasts that will allow industry and academia to compare different models and evaluate performance. This test framework will be used to validate the tools developed in topics 2 and 3.
- Topic Area 2 will develop irradiance forecasts that significantly improve on existing capabilities of irradiance forecasting, especially in the 24 to 48 hour timeframe, and reduce the errors that are often associated with large-scale cloud movement.
- Topic Area 3 will develop solutions that integrate solar power forecasts with utility management systems. Each project under this topic must partner with a grid management entity and test the solution under production conditions.
SunShot expects to make six to eight awards under this funding program, each ranging between $750,000 and $2 million for a total of $10 million.
Prior to submitting a full application for this opportunity, a brief, mandatory concept paper is due on December 30, 2016. See all application deadlines in the table below.
| FOA Issue Date | November 14, 2016 |
| Informational Webinar | November 21, 2016, 3:00pm ET |
| Submission Deadline for Concept Papers | December 30, 2016, 5:00pm ET |
| Submission Deadline for Full Applications | March 24, 2017, 5:00pm ET |
| Expected Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments | April 28, 2017, 5:00pm ET |
| Expected Date for EERE Selection Notifications | June 19, 2017 |
| Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations | 60-90 calendar days |
Additional Information
Download the full funding opportunity on the EERE Exchange website
Read the EERE press release about this funding opportunity announcement
For FOA-specific support, contact SolarForecastingII@HQ.DOE.Gov
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