Solar and Wind Interconnection for Future Transmission (SWIFTR) | DE FOA 0003246

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.

• 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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