Notice of Intent to Issue: Next Generation Gasifier Concepts and Components to Advance Modular Coal Gasification | DE FOA 0002121

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002121

This grant notice is a Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) announcement that serves only as an advance heads-up about a future funding opportunity, not as an open solicitation. It is labeled as a "Notice of Intent to Issue" and explicitly states that DOE is not requesting comments and will not accept applications under this notice itself. The notice points to an anticipated Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Next Generation Gasifier Concepts and Components to Advance Modular Coal Gasification" (referenced in the text as FOA No. DE-FOA-0001994). In other words, the document is meant to alert potential applicants that a competitive FOA is expected, so organizations can begin thinking about concepts and partnerships ahead of time.

The technical focus is on research and development for advanced coal gasification technologies designed for small-scale, modular systems. The notice frames the need in terms of the current electricity market: coal-fueled power plants are increasingly competing against a growing share of renewable generation, and that competition forces conventional and advanced thermal power technologies to become more flexible. The DOE is emphasizing operational traits that matter in a grid with variable renewables, including broader fuel flexibility, faster response to steep load changes (ramping), and the ability to turn down to very low loads while still maintaining reasonable efficiency. The underlying idea is that modular gasification systems could operate more like flexible assets, scaling output and responding quickly, rather than behaving like large, slow-moving baseload facilities.

Programmatically, this effort sits within DOE's Advanced Energy Systems (AES) Program, specifically the Gasification Systems Program element. The notice indicates that DOE sees a need for new approaches that can adapt coal gasification to modular designs and lower the total capital cost of building an energy system. It also highlights improving the efficiency of producing coal-derived synthesis gas (syngas) for power generation and combined heat and power (CHP) applications. A key phrase in the description is "process and/or reaction intensification," which signals interest in concepts that make gasification and syngas production more compact, higher-performing, and potentially cheaper per unit output by redesigning reactors, heat and mass transfer, integration schemes, or critical components rather than simply scaling down traditional large gasifiers.

From an applicant standpoint, the notice lists the funding instrument type as a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial federal involvement during the project (for example, active collaboration, technical direction, or milestone-based oversight) compared to a standard grant. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications that would appear in the full FOA. The activity category is energy, and the CFDA number shown is 81.089, which corresponds to DOE research, development, and demonstration assistance programs.

In terms of timing and administrative details, the notice shows a creation date of April 8, 2019 and an original closing date of July 8, 2019, but it is important to interpret that "closing date" in context: since this is only a notice of intent and not an application solicitation, that date does not function like a normal proposal deadline for submissions under this notice. It is essentially an informational posting window. The notice also shows an award ceiling of 2 (as listed in the source data), and expected awards of 0, which is consistent with the statement that no awards will be made from this notice because applications are not being accepted at this stage.

Overall, the opportunity being previewed is aimed at advancing next-generation gasifier concepts and enabling components that support modular coal gasification systems. The DOE rationale centers on making coal-derived energy systems more competitive and grid-responsive by improving flexibility and efficiency while reducing capital costs, with intended end uses including power generation and CHP through better syngas production. The practical takeaway is that interested parties should treat this as an early alert to prepare for the actual FOA release, where the real technical requirements, topic areas, cost-share expectations (if any), and submission instructions would be provided.

• The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent to Issue: Next Generation Gasifier Concepts and Components to Advance Modular Coal Gasification" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.089.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 08, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 08, 2019 This is a Notice of Intent to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0001994. Applications will not be accepted for the Notice of Intent.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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