The Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity on July 16 announced that applications are now open for two long duration energy storage voucher opportunities totaling $1 million in Office of Electricity technical assistance for potential recipients.
The voucher program aims to increase LDES project deployments nationwide to enhance the flexibility, resilience, and reliability of the country's evolving electric infrastructure, DOE said.
One voucher opportunity will aid technology developers of LDES and the other will aid communities or other entities interested in deploying storage for the first time.
Each of the two opportunities will offer vouchers worth $500,000, comprising 3-7 vouchers of $50,000-$150,000 each.
This is the second step of the voucher program and follows an April 25–June 6 application window for providers of technical assistance.
“By supporting communities exploring energy storage solutions, these vouchers will equip decision-makers with the expertise and resources they need to benefit their communities and share their experiences with similar communities elsewhere. For technology innovators working on long-duration energy storage, these vouchers will provide engineering studies, testing, and modeling to help them advance their technologies toward deployment,” DOE said.
As part of this opportunity, vetted technical assistance providers will be offered to potential recipients to request as part of their application process. Final selections and matching between recipients and providers will occur in fall 2024.
The program is managed by ENERGYWERX in partnership with DOE, a collaboration made possible through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by DOE's Office of Technology Transitions.
As offered by OE, a technical assistance voucher is a mechanism by which selected providers can provide agreed-upon services to recipients.
Key characteristics of vouchers include:
- In-kind support. Recipients use these vouchers to access services rather than receiving cash, similar to how a gift card is used for purchases at specific retailers.
- Predefined value. Like gift cards, these vouchers have a set value that can be used towards specified services.
- Targeted use. Vouchers are designated for particular activities (e.g., siting assistance, technical studies), similar to how gift cards may be restricted to certain products or stores.
Voucher Opportunity 7 (VO-7): Long-Duration Energy Storage Technology Acceleration
VO-7 focuses on U.S. for-profit companies developing innovative LDES technologies, excluding hydrogen-based solutions.
Voucher recipients will receive in-kind support for services including:
- Market assessment support
- Business plan formulation
- Technical modeling or analysis
- Testing and performance validation
- Commercialization strategy support
Eligible technology areas include lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries, lead-acid batteries, zinc batteries, pumped storage hydropower, compressed-air energy storage, and bidirectional thermal energy storage.
Voucher Opportunity 8 (VO-8): Long-Duration Energy Storage Community Development
VO-8 targets municipalities, tribes, state or local governments, community development organizations, and utilities interested in first-time LDES deployments.
This initiative will provide in-kind support for services including:
- Siting and permitting support
- Storage project road mapping
- Regional modeling
- Energy use analysis
- Technical feasibility studies
- Community engagement
Priority will be given to disadvantaged communities to ensure equitable benefits from decarbonization and resilience efforts.
How to Apply
Interested technical assistance recipients may apply for this funding at ENERGYWERX. Recipient applications are due August 28, 2024, by 3 p.m., Eastern.
DOE expects to match recipients with providers this fall.
DOE will hold an informational webinar and objective strategic session on August 1, 2024, from 3–4 p.m., Eastern, for potential recipients to ask questions of DOE staff. DOE will hold office hours on August 20, 2024, from 3–4 p.m., Eastern, to answer additional questions.
