DE-FOA-0002777 Request for Information (RFI) BIL Section 41001 Energy Storage Demonstration Projects | DE FOA 0002777

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002777

DE-FOA-0002777 is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) focused on how DOE should implement energy storage demonstration activities authorized under Section 41001 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The law set aside $505 million to help move energy storage systems closer to widespread commercial deployment, with an emphasis on lowering costs and enabling longer-duration storage. Rather than offering funding, this notice is meant to gather practical feedback from stakeholders across industry, universities, national labs, government entities, and other interested parties about program design choices, requirements, evaluation approaches, and broader issues that affect the storage demonstration ecosystem. In other words, the DOE is using this RFI to shape what future demonstration and pilot programs could look like before launching any actual funding announcements.

The RFI lays out a proposed structure tied to three main BIL Section 41001 provisions and asks for input on both program-specific details and crosscutting topics. Category 1 concentrates on the core program requirements and DOE's implementation strategy. It is broken into four subareas: 1A, the Long-Duration Demonstration Initiative, which centers on demonstrating storage technologies capable of providing power over extended periods (a key need for improving grid reliability and integrating variable renewable generation); 1B, Energy Storage Demonstration Projects, which points to larger-scale demonstrations intended to prove performance, operability, and value under real-world conditions; 1C, the Energy Storage Pilot Grant Program, which suggests smaller or earlier-stage pilot efforts that can validate concepts, reduce risk, and prepare technologies or project models for broader replication; and 1D, the Rapid Operational Validation Initiative (ROVI), which is aimed at quickly testing and validating storage operation in relevant environments, potentially to accelerate learning cycles and shorten the path from prototype to bankable project configurations.

Category 2 covers crosscutting topics that apply across the Section 41001 programs. One element is 2A, Storage Technology Opportunity Readiness Evaluation (STORE), which implies a framework DOE may use to assess the readiness of different storage options and identify where demonstrations could have the most impact. Another element is 2B, which requests feedback on the BIL provision requirements themselves and DOE's proposed implementation approach, including how DOE might interpret statutory direction, set priorities, and structure oversight and reporting. This category is essentially about the rules of the road: how DOE should compare technologies fairly, measure success, decide what kinds of projects should be eligible, and ensure demonstration investments generate usable knowledge and repeatable outcomes for the broader market.

Beyond technology and program mechanics, the RFI also signals that DOE is integrating broader federal priorities into the design of future storage demonstrations. Category 3 focuses on jobs and workforce issues, specifically expanding union jobs and building effective workforce development pathways. This indicates DOE is seeking ideas on how demonstrations can do more than prove hardware; they can also support high-quality employment, training pipelines, and labor standards that strengthen the domestic energy workforce. Category 4 addresses Equity, Environmental and Energy Justice (EEEJ) priorities, pointing to interest in how energy storage demonstrations can deliver benefits to underserved or overburdened communities, avoid disproportionate impacts, and align with justice-related goals in siting, engagement, and distribution of benefits. Category 5 is an open-ended invitation for additional input that does not fit neatly within the earlier categories, allowing respondents to flag overlooked issues, risks, or opportunities.

Administratively, this opportunity is classified as discretionary and listed under the DOE (Golden Field Office) with an energy activity category and CFDA number 81.086. Eligible respondents are unrestricted, meaning virtually any type of organization may provide input, subject to any clarifications in the full RFI text. Importantly, DOE emphasizes this is not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), expected awards are listed as zero, and DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is not accepting project applications through this notice. The practical takeaway is that participation here influences how later funding programs could be structured, but it does not result in an award by itself.

Responses were required to be submitted by email to EnergyStorage41001RFI@ee.doe.gov no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time on June 16, 2022, using the subject line "BIL 41001 RFI response." Submissions had to be attached to the email as a Microsoft Word (.docx) document, limited to 20 pages, with 12-point font and 1-inch margins, and DOE recommended compressing attachments over 25MB to avoid delivery issues. Only electronic submissions were accepted. The full text and any detailed instructions were available through EERE Exchange (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/), which is DOE's portal for these kinds of notices.

Overall, the RFI serves as a planning and market-sounding step: DOE is mapping out how to turn BIL Section 41001 funding into well-structured demonstration, pilot, and rapid validation programs that accelerate commercialization of longer-duration and lower-cost storage, while also incorporating workforce, labor, and equity/environmental justice considerations into the way projects are selected and executed.

• The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DE-FOA-0002777 Request for Information (RFI) BIL Section 41001 Energy Storage Demonstration Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.086.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 12, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 16, 2022. (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 $1.00 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.

Apply for DE FOA 0002777

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: