Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003246
Solar and Wind Interconnection for Future Transmission (SWIFTR) is a U.S. Department of Energy funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003246) run through DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) under the Interconnection Innovation Exchange (i2X) program. The overall aim is to make the grid interconnection process for clean energy resources simpler, faster, and fairer, while also improving grid reliability, resiliency, and security. In practice, this FOA targets the bottlenecks that slow down connecting inverter-based resources (IBRs) like solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems to the transmission system, especially the technical studies and data needs that determine whether a new project can interconnect without creating stability or voltage problems.
The FOA is structured around two topic areas that fit together. Topic Area 1 focuses on improving the efficiency of electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations used in interconnection studies for IBRs. EMT studies are high-fidelity, time-domain simulations that can capture fast inverter and control dynamics, but they are often computationally expensive and time-consuming, which contributes to delays and higher costs in the interconnection process. Projects in this topic are expected to improve software tools, methods, or processes so that advanced EMT modeling can run faster and more efficiently. Just as importantly, Topic Area 1 also emphasizes developing clearer guidance on when EMT-level fidelity is actually necessary during interconnection, versus when less intensive study approaches may be sufficient. The intent is to reduce unnecessary analysis burden while still protecting long-term plant performance and reliability and ensuring the transmission system can operate securely.
Topic Area 2 shifts from study execution to decision-support by developing dynamic stability-enhanced network assessment tools. These projects are meant to give interconnection stakeholders better visibility into transmission system characteristics that matter for connecting new resources, such as system strength, voltage behavior, and stability-related limitations. A key requirement is that the tools must provide useful, actionable information while still protecting confidential data and critical energy infrastructure information, which is a major constraint in real-world transmission planning and interconnection. Topic Area 2 teams are expected to define what information different stakeholders actually need, build one or more tools to deliver it, and then test and evaluate the tools using at least one real transmission system to demonstrate practicality. While Topic Area 1 outputs (like improved EMT methods and insights) can inform Topic Area 2, Topic Area 2 projects are not restricted to EMT-based characteristics only; the focus is broader grid-strength and stability awareness, provided the tools improve the interconnection ecosystem.
Awards will be made through a cooperative agreement, meaning DOE anticipates substantial involvement during project execution compared with a standard grant. The opportunity is administered by the DOE Golden Field Office, supports energy-related work (CFDA 81.087), and anticipated funding details include an award ceiling of $2,500,000 and an expectation of roughly 10 awards. The original closing date listed is 2024-06-28.
Eligibility is centered on domestic entities, and both prime recipients and subrecipients must meet the domestic entity definition: organized under U.S. state or territorial laws, majority domestically owned and controlled, and maintaining a physical place of business in the United States. Eligible applicants and participants include institutions of higher education, for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and federally recognized Indian Tribes. Certain organizations have role limitations: DOE/NNSA federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs may participate only as subrecipients and cannot serve as prime recipients; similarly, federal agencies and instrumentalities other than DOE can be subrecipients but not primes. Standard federal exclusions apply, so entities that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise barred from federal programs cannot participate. In addition, 501(c)(4) nonprofits that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995 are explicitly ineligible to apply for funding under this FOA.
Taken together, SWIFTR is designed to tackle two connected problems that frequently slow interconnection: the time and complexity of performing high-fidelity interconnection studies for inverter-based resources, and the lack of accessible, security-conscious transmission system information that developers, utilities, and system operators need to assess interconnection feasibility and risks. The expected result is a set of improved modeling approaches and practical assessment tools that reduce delays, increase transparency where appropriate, and support secure, reliable integration of large amounts of solar, wind, and storage on the U.S. grid.Apply for DE FOA 0003246
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Solar and Wind Interconnection for Future Transmission (SWIFTR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-28. (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 $2,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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SWIFTR (DE-FOA-0003246) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the SWIFTR funding opportunity?
Solar and Wind Interconnection for Future Transmission (SWIFTR) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunity announcement (DE-FOA-0003246) under DOE's Interconnection Innovation Exchange (i2X) program. It is run through DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO).
2) What is the main goal of SWIFTR?
The overall goal is to make the grid interconnection process for clean energy resources simpler, faster, and fairer, while also improving grid reliability, resiliency, and security. In practice, the FOA targets bottlenecks that slow transmission interconnection for inverter-based resources (IBRs) such as solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems.
3) What problems in interconnection is this FOA trying to solve?
SWIFTR focuses on two common sources of delay and friction: (1) the time and complexity of performing high-fidelity technical studies (especially electromagnetic transient studies) for IBR interconnections, and (2) limited access to actionable transmission system information needed to assess interconnection feasibility and risk, while still protecting confidential and critical energy infrastructure information.
4) What are inverter-based resources (IBRs) in the context of this FOA?
IBRs are generation or storage resources that connect through power electronics inverters rather than directly through synchronous machines. The FOA specifically calls out solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems as examples of IBRs that are increasingly seeking transmission interconnection.
5) How is the SWIFTR FOA organized?
The FOA is structured around two topic areas that fit together: Topic Area 1 (EMT simulation efficiency and guidance) and Topic Area 2 (dynamic stability-enhanced network assessment tools). Topic Area 1 outputs can inform Topic Area 2, but Topic Area 2 is not limited to EMT-only characteristics.
6) What is Topic Area 1 focused on?
Topic Area 1 focuses on improving the efficiency of electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations used in interconnection studies for inverter-based resources. The intent is to reduce delays and costs caused by computationally expensive, time-consuming EMT modeling, while still ensuring reliable, secure operation of the transmission system.
7) What are EMT studies, and why do they matter for interconnection?
EMT studies are high-fidelity, time-domain simulations that can capture fast inverter and control dynamics. They matter because they can reveal stability or voltage issues that simpler approaches might miss, but they can also be resource-intensive to run, contributing to slower interconnection studies and higher costs.
8) What kinds of improvements are expected under Topic Area 1?
Projects are expected to improve software tools, methods, or processes so advanced EMT modeling can run faster and more efficiently. Topic Area 1 also emphasizes developing clearer guidance about when EMT-level fidelity is truly necessary during interconnection studies versus when less intensive approaches may be sufficient.
9) Why does Topic Area 1 emphasize guidance on when EMT-level fidelity is necessary?
The FOA aims to reduce unnecessary analysis burden. Clearer guidance can help avoid overusing EMT studies when other study methods would be sufficient, while still protecting long-term plant performance and reliability and ensuring the transmission system can operate securely.
10) What is Topic Area 2 focused on?
Topic Area 2 focuses on decision-support: developing dynamic stability-enhanced network assessment tools that give interconnection stakeholders better visibility into transmission system characteristics relevant to interconnecting new resources.
11) What types of transmission system characteristics are highlighted for Topic Area 2 tools?
The FOA highlights characteristics such as system strength, voltage behavior, and stability-related limitations. The intent is to provide actionable insight that can improve the interconnection ecosystem.
12) Do Topic Area 2 projects have to be based on EMT studies?
No. While Topic Area 1 outputs can inform Topic Area 2, Topic Area 2 is not restricted to EMT-based characteristics. The focus is broader awareness of grid strength and stability, as long as the tools improve interconnection decision-making and outcomes.
13) What is a key constraint for Topic Area 2 tools?
A key requirement is that the tools must provide useful, actionable information while still protecting confidential data and critical energy infrastructure information. This reflects real-world constraints in transmission planning and interconnection.
14) What must Topic Area 2 teams do to demonstrate practicality?
Topic Area 2 teams are expected to define what information different stakeholders need, build one or more tools to deliver it, and test and evaluate the tools using at least one real transmission system.
15) Who is expected to benefit from Topic Area 2 decision-support tools?
The FOA references "interconnection stakeholders" broadly, and describes needs related to developers, utilities, and system operators seeking better visibility into transmission characteristics that affect interconnection feasibility and risk.
16) What type of award instrument will DOE use?
Awards are expected to be made through a cooperative agreement. This means DOE anticipates substantial involvement during project execution compared with a standard grant.
17) Which DOE office administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the DOE Golden Field Office.
18) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The FOA supports energy-related work under CFDA 81.087.
19) What is the anticipated maximum award size?
The anticipated award ceiling is $2,500,000.
20) How many awards does DOE expect to make?
The FOA indicates an expectation of roughly 10 awards.
21) What is the closing date listed for this FOA?
The original closing date listed is 2024-06-28.
22) Who is eligible to apply as a prime recipient?
Eligibility is centered on domestic entities. Eligible applicant types include institutions of higher education, for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and federally recognized Indian Tribes. Prime recipients must meet the domestic entity definition described in the FOA.
23) What is the domestic entity requirement?
Both prime recipients and subrecipients must qualify as domestic entities: they must be organized under U.S. state or territorial laws, be majority domestically owned and controlled, and maintain a physical place of business in the United States.
24) Can federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) participate?
Yes, but with role limits. DOE/NNSA FFRDCs and non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs may participate only as subrecipients and cannot serve as prime recipients.
25) Can federal agencies apply as prime recipients?
No. Federal agencies and instrumentalities other than DOE may participate as subrecipients but cannot serve as prime recipients.
26) Are there standard federal exclusions that could prevent participation?
Yes. Entities that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise barred from federal programs cannot participate.
27) Are any nonprofits explicitly ineligible?
Yes. The FOA states that 501(c)(4) nonprofits that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995 are explicitly ineligible to apply for funding under this FOA.
28) How do Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2 relate to each other?
The two topic areas are designed to be connected. Topic Area 1 improves the efficiency and appropriateness of high-fidelity EMT studies, and those outputs and insights can inform Topic Area 2. Topic Area 2 then focuses on delivering practical, security-conscious tools that improve network assessment and interconnection decision-support.
29) What kinds of outcomes is DOE aiming for from SWIFTR?
The expected result is improved modeling approaches and practical assessment tools that reduce interconnection delays, increase transparency where appropriate, and support secure, reliable integration of large amounts of solar, wind, and storage on the U.S. grid.
30) What part of the interconnection process is most directly targeted?
The FOA most directly targets bottlenecks related to the technical studies and data needs that determine whether a new inverter-based resource can interconnect to the transmission system without creating stability or voltage problems.
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