[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20341]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 18, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Golden Field Office; Notice of Federal Assistance Award to
Electric Power Research Institute
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of financial assistance award in response to a non-
competitive financial assistance application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) pursuant to the DOE
Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2) is announcing its
intention to make a financial assistance award of $3,200,000 to the
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for a twelve month period, to
evaluate commercial-prototype wind turbines in typical utility
operating environments. The program will entail a 50/50 cost sharing
between DOE and EPRI.
ADDRESSES: Questions regarding this announcement may be addressed to
the U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Blvd.,
Golden CO 80401, Attention: J.W. Meeker, Contract Specialist. The
telephone number is 303-275-4748. Dr. Paul K. Kearns is the Contracting
Officer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is not an unsolicited application. The
proposed effort is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed
in September 1992, between DOE and EPRI that outlines the roles of each
in deploying and evaluating commercial-prototye wind turbines in
typical utility operating environments under a collaborative venture
known as the Utility Wind Turbine Verification Project.
The programmatic evaluation [see 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2)(ii)(D)]
completed for this proposal resulted in a recommendation to fund this
grant application for the following reasons:
Wind energy in the U.S. has made significant progress in moving
toward broad use as an alternative to fossil-fueled conventional
generation. The number of wind turbines installed continues to increase
and costs are dropping. However, there still exists a strong need to
develop more cost-effective, widely-deployable machines, and to
evaluate the technical and economic performance of new machines
approaching commercial reality. In support of the implementation of the
Energy Policy Act of 1992, the DOE Wind Program initiated the Utility
Wind Turbine Verification Program with EPRI, to deploy and evaluate
commercial-prototype wind turbines in typical utility operating
environments.
The collaboration between DOE and EPRI will fund commercialization
activities and provide a means to bridge the technology transfer gap
between DOE wind turbine development activities and utility purchases.
The joint efforts will increase utility participation and acceptance of
U.S. manufactured advanced wind turbines by accelerating utility
adoption by 3-5 years and enhancing entry into new markets.
The probability of success is high because of the unique
relationship between DOE and EPRI, and the over 15 years of experience
EPRI brings into the program in the field of wind energy.
The staff of EPRI is uniquely qualified to provide this service.
Mr. Earl Davis, Manager Wind Power Integration, EPRI, is a highly
qualified manager with over 15 years of experience in the wind energy
business. As the manager for all wind activities at EPRI, Mr. Davis is
considered to be the most qualified individual available to accomplish
this project.
The proposed budget was reviewed and is considered to the
appropriate and adequate.
The major public benefit to be derived from this project is the
hastening of wind power commercialization, and the realization of its
environmental and energy-security benefits. DOE views the EPRI/DOE
collaboration as a logical extension of its significant Federal
investment in turbine development activities that are assisting
industry to incorporate cutting edge technologies into prototype wind
turbines. As utility interest and commitment to wind energy grows an
opportunity has been created to achieve major reductions in greenhouse
gas emissions, while contributing to increased economic productivity by
accelerating wind technology development and commercialization through
collaborative actions with key stakeholders.
Both EPRI and DOE have ongoing programs to foster the development
and application of wind energy as an alternative domestic supply
option. The broad objective of both the DOE and EPRI programs is aimed
at ensuring the diversified regional deployment of commercially
available cost-competitive, utility-grade wind turbines for the 2000
time-frame. The project to be funded is a logical continuation of work
currently being funded by DOE through the DOE Wind Program. No other
potential applicants have the experience or the capability to do this
work in the amount of time and for the amount of money that is proposed
by the applicant.
Issued in Golden, Colorado, on August 5, 1994.
John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 94-20341 Filed 8-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M
