Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Solar and Wind Grid Services and Reliability Demonstration | DE FOA 0002745

FAQs: BIL Solar and Wind Grid Services and Reliability Demonstration (DE-FOA-0002745)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunity titled the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Solar and Wind Grid Services and Reliability Demonstration (DE-FOA-0002745). It is managed through DOE's Golden Field Office and is focused on strengthening bulk power system reliability as more wind and solar generation is added to the grid.

What is the main goal of the program?

The core goal is to move beyond studies and small pilots by funding real-world demonstrations that prove large-scale solar and wind power plants, together with supporting technologies, can reliably deliver essential grid services that have traditionally been supplied by conventional generators.

What kind of projects is DOE looking to fund?

DOE is looking for projects that demonstrate, in real operating conditions, how inverter-based renewable resources (such as utility-scale solar and wind) can help operate and stabilize the grid, including dependable performance during high renewable penetration and under challenging system conditions (like disturbances and faults).

How is this different from a research study or a small pilot?

Based on the stated purpose, this opportunity prioritizes full-scale, real-world demonstrations that validate performance at scale, rather than projects limited to simulations, paper studies, or small proof-of-concept deployments.

What does "bulk power system reliability" mean in this context?

In this context, it refers to the dependable operation and stability of the larger electric power grid as wind and solar become a bigger portion of overall generation. The opportunity emphasizes ensuring stable grid operation, dependable protection performance, and reliable system behavior with high inverter-based resource penetration.

What are "grid services" or "ancillary services" as referenced in the opportunity?

Ancillary services are support functions that help keep the grid stable as conditions change. The opportunity notes examples such as frequency response, voltage support (reactive power), ramping, operating reserves, and other fast-acting support functions.

What is meant by "inverter-based resources" (IBRs)?

Inverter-based resources are generation or energy resources that interface with the grid through power electronics (inverters), rather than using traditional synchronous machines. In this opportunity, IBRs mainly refer to wind and solar generation, especially at high levels of penetration on the grid.

What award mechanism is being used?

The funding is offered as a cooperative agreement. This generally means DOE expects to be actively involved during the project period, including substantial collaboration, technical oversight, and milestone-based management, rather than acting only as a passive funder.

How many awards does DOE expect to make?

The program anticipates making about 9 awards.

What is the maximum award size per project?

The award ceiling is $5,600,000 per project.

What is the funding activity category and CFDA number?

The opportunity is listed under the Energy funding activity category and carries CFDA number 81.087.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types. Examples mentioned include private companies, utilities, manufacturers, developers, universities, nonprofit organizations, and state or local entities, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement.

Which DOE office is managing this solicitation?

This solicitation is managed through DOE's Golden Field Office.

What are the topic areas?

The work is organized into two main topic areas:

• Topic 1: Wind and Solar Grid Services Design, Implementation, and Demonstration
• Topic 2: Protection of Bulk Power Systems with High Contribution from Inverter-Based Resources

What does Topic 1 focus on?

Topic 1 supports full-scale demonstrations that integrate renewable generation with other large-scale technologies or aggregated distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide ancillary services and improve reliability. A key emphasis is seamless, coordinated operation between wind or solar plants and complementary resources.

What kinds of integrations are emphasized under Topic 1?

The opportunity highlights coordinated operation between wind or solar plants and complementary resources such as battery energy storage systems, hybrid plant controls, advanced inverters, power plant controllers, or aggregated DER portfolios.

What is DOE trying to prove with Topic 1 demonstrations?

The intent is to validate performance in real operating conditions and provide credible evidence that these integrated systems can deliver grid services at scale, not just in simulations.

What does Topic 2 focus on?

Topic 2 targets protection and fault-response challenges that can arise when inverter-based resources represent a very large share of grid generation. It focuses on improving understanding and performance of protection systems under very high IBR scenarios.

Why are protection systems a focus area for high inverter-based resource penetration?

The opportunity notes that traditional protection schemes were largely designed around synchronous machines. As IBR penetration rises, grid behavior during faults, disturbances, and abnormal events can change in ways that affect how protective relays and schemes detect and clear problems.

What kinds of outcomes are expected under Topic 2?

Topic 2 emphasizes two kinds of outcomes:

• Better predictive capability: improved modeling and simulation tools that accurately represent IBR behavior and protection interactions
• Practical solutions: validated strategies and technologies (such as protection approaches, settings, algorithms, or devices) that maintain effective protection at any level of IBR penetration

Does Topic 2 involve both modeling and field demonstration?

Yes. The description emphasizes advancing modeling and simulation capabilities and then using those tools to develop, validate, and demonstrate strategies and technologies that maintain effective protection performance.

Does this opportunity require demonstrations under real operating conditions?

The opportunity repeatedly emphasizes real-world demonstrations and validation in real operating conditions, particularly to provide credible evidence of performance at scale.

What is meant by "supporting technologies" in the opportunity?

Supporting technologies, as described, include items that help renewable plants provide grid services reliably at scale, such as battery energy storage systems, hybrid plant controls, advanced inverters, power plant controllers, and aggregated DER portfolios.

What is meant by "coordinated operation" or "seamless integration"?

It refers to wind or solar plants working together with complementary technologies or aggregated resources in a unified way to provide ancillary services and reliability benefits, rather than operating as separate or loosely connected assets.

When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posting/creation date is August 2, 2022, and the original closing date is November 10, 2022.

What is the overall intended impact of the program?

The opportunity is designed to accelerate the operational readiness of high-renewable grids by funding demonstrations that prove wind and solar can actively support grid reliability through advanced controls, coordinated resources, and modernized protection strategies suited to inverter-dominated power systems.

Where should applicants look for any additional eligibility clarifications?

The description notes that while eligibility is stated as unrestricted, applicants should review any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement.