DOE’s objective through this funding opportunity is to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of non-conventional geothermal energy technologies in research areas including low-temperature fluids, geothermal fluids recovered from oil and gas wells, and highly pressurized geothermal fluids. This three-topic FOA will focus on areas associated with geothermal energy as outlined in the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005, section 931(a)(2)(C):

1. Low-Temperature Geothermal Fluids at temperatures up to 300° Fahrenheit (F) or approximately 150° Celsius (C).

2. Geothermal Fluids Coproduced from productive, unproductive, or marginal oil and/or gas wells; other hydrocarbon production; or mineral recovery/mining operations.

3. Geopressured Resources that show potential for economic recovery of heat, kinetic energy, and gas.

For the purposes of the FOA, energy production is defined as converting the thermal potential contained within geothermal fluids into electricity. Only projects that generate electricity from the heat contained within geothermal fluids will be considered; but projects that also use the chemical or kinetic energy of the fluids, or have additional direct use applications for the geothermal fluids will also be considered. Innovation may include but is not limited to: innovative cooling systems (e.g., air, water, or hybrid systems), use of innovative working fluids, use of more efficient heat exchanger materials, and/or maximization of energy utilization via combination of electricity generation and direct technologies.

Prospective applicants for this funding opportunity announcement are encouraged begin developing partnerships, formulating ideas, and gathering data for potential applications. The expected close date of this announcement is 9 July 2010.

The complete funding opportunity announcement can be viewed at FedConnect.