The initial letter of intent is due on June 19, 2009 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time and the final application is due on July 29, 2009 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Please note: Important information re registration and other pre-submission requirements are included in the funding opportunity announcement (FOA). Please refer to the FOA for details.

Anticipated Notice of Selection: October 1, 2009
Anticipated Award Date: October 15, 2009
Total Funding Available: $24,000,000
Award Instrument: Grants

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility will be restricted to consortia led by at least one four-year institution of higher learning that has at least one engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Any proposed turbine location must have Power Class 3 at 50 meters and above wind resources and be within 50 miles of the university.

Program Description

The purpose of the Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program is to provide stewardship of national resources to increase the development and deployment of reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable wind and water power and realize the benefits of domestic renewable energy production. The DOE has found that the Nation possesses wind energy resources sufficient to provide 20% of the Nation’s electricity needs by 2030. The major challenges to achieving this objective are listed in the Department of Energy’s report “20% Wind Energy by 2030” and include: the availability of electric transmissions and ability to integrate large amounts of wind energy, continued reduction in wind capital cost and improvement in turbine performance through technology advancement, and improved domestic supply chain and manufacturing capabilities.

To overcome these challenges and facilitate the necessary surge in wind energy capacity, proposals for the Wind Energy Consortia financial assistance grants are sought to stimulate jobs in the wind manufacturing and construction sectors, enable the research and development of components and methods of operation and maintenance of turbines, eliminate barriers to the further deployment of wind energy, reduce the cost and risk of wind energy installations, and stimulate partnerships between institutions of higher learning and the wind industry.

Cost Sharing

Non-Federal cost share must be at least 10% of the total allowable costs for all recipients. The recipient’s share of allowable costs must come from non-Federal sources, unless otherwise allowed by law.

Topic Areas

Title	Total Estimated Federal Funding	Anticipated Award Size	Award Type	Anticipated Number of Awards	Required Cost Share	Award Ceiling/ Floor	Period of Performance
Wind Energy Consortia between Institutions of Higher Learning and Industry	$24,000,000	$8M - $12M	Grant	2-3	10% of total project cost	$12M/ $8M	2 years