Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003421
The Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) titled "Engineering Solutions to Harvest Biomass Carbon for Durable Removal and Storage (Carbon Harvesting)" under funding opportunity number DE-FOA-0003421. This notice is strictly an information-gathering request and not a call for proposals or an application-based funding opportunity. In other words, ARPA-E is not awarding money through this notice, it is not accepting applications for financial assistance, and there is no active Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) associated with it at this time. The agency is using the RFI to collect technical and market input that could shape a future ARPA-E program.
The central idea behind the RFI is to explore how the carbon capture function of photosynthesis can be leveraged as a "zero-energy" starting point for carbon dioxide capture, and then paired with new engineering approaches that make carbon dioxide removal (CDR) significantly more energy efficient. ARPA-E is interested in transformational technologies that can "harvest" carbon already fixed in biomass and move it into durable removal and storage pathways, with the broader goal of reducing the energy burden of scaling the CDR sector. The framing is explicitly about improving energy efficiency across the CDR lifecycle, since many current CDR approaches require large energy inputs to capture, concentrate, process, and store CO2.
The RFI is motivated by the scale of carbon removal implied by net-zero targets. The notice cites an estimated need for the United States to remove roughly 500 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq) per year by 2050 to meet national net-zero goals. It also highlights the energy intensity challenge: some current CDR technologies can exceed 1,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per ton of CO2 removed. At that energy intensity, removing 500 million tons annually would consume about 750 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, a level large enough to represent a major share of current U.S. power generation and renewable generation. ARPA-E is essentially signaling that, without major efficiency gains, CDR could compete with other electrification and decarbonization priorities for limited clean electricity supply, slowing progress in other sectors.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed under the agency ARPA-E, with an activity category associated with science, technology, and research and development (CFDA 81.135). The eligible applicant field is shown as unrestricted, but since this is an RFI rather than a funding program, that designation mainly indicates who may submit input rather than who can receive an award. The listing includes an original closing date of September 27, 2024, which serves as the deadline for submitting responses to ARPA-E's questions and prompts in the full RFI document. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are both listed as zero, reinforcing that the notice is not offering financial assistance.
Anyone interested in the specific questions ARPA-E is asking, the types of technologies or approaches they want feedback on, and the instructions for submitting an RFI response should consult the full text posted on the ARPA-E FOA website at https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov.Apply for DE FOA 0003421
- The Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy in the oz, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information (RFI) - Engineering Solutions to Harvest Biomass Carbon for Durable Removal and Storage (Carbon Harvesting)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.135.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-08-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this ARPA-E notice?
This notice is a Request for Information (RFI) from the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) titled "Engineering Solutions to Harvest Biomass Carbon for Durable Removal and Storage (Carbon Harvesting)" under funding opportunity number DE-FOA-0003421.
Is this a funding opportunity or a call for proposals?
No. This is strictly an information-gathering RFI and not a call for proposals. ARPA-E is not awarding money through this notice, and it is not an application-based financial assistance opportunity.
Is ARPA-E accepting applications for grants or cooperative agreements under this notice?
No. ARPA-E is not accepting applications for financial assistance under this RFI, and there is no active Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) associated with it at this time.
What is the purpose of this RFI?
The purpose is to collect technical and market input that could shape a future ARPA-E program related to carbon harvesting from biomass and durable carbon dioxide removal and storage. ARPA-E is using responses to inform program design rather than to select awardees.
What is the main concept ARPA-E is exploring in the RFI?
ARPA-E is exploring how the carbon capture function of photosynthesis can serve as a "zero-energy" starting point for capturing CO2, and how engineering approaches could then harvest carbon already fixed in biomass and route it into durable removal and storage pathways with much greater energy efficiency.
Why is ARPA-E emphasizing energy efficiency in carbon dioxide removal (CDR)?
The RFI frames energy efficiency as a central barrier to scaling CDR. Many existing CDR approaches can require substantial energy to capture, concentrate, process, and store CO2. ARPA-E is seeking input on transformational approaches that reduce the energy burden across the full CDR lifecycle.
What problem is the RFI trying to address at a national scale?
The notice highlights the scale of carbon removal implied by net-zero targets, citing an estimated need for the United States to remove roughly 500 million tons of CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq) per year by 2050 to meet national net-zero goals.
What energy-intensity figures does the RFI cite for some current CDR technologies?
The RFI notes that some current CDR technologies can exceed 1,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per ton of CO2 removed.
How much electricity could large-scale CDR consume at the cited energy intensity?
Using the example in the notice, removing 500 million tons of CO2 annually at 1,500 kWh per ton would require about 750 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity.
Why does ARPA-E see high electricity demand for CDR as a concern?
The RFI signals that without major efficiency gains, large-scale CDR could consume a major share of current U.S. power generation and renewable generation, potentially competing with other electrification and decarbonization priorities for limited clean electricity supply.
What types of solutions is ARPA-E interested in, according to the description provided?
ARPA-E is interested in transformational technologies and engineering approaches that can harvest carbon already fixed in biomass and move it into durable removal and storage pathways, with an emphasis on making CDR significantly more energy efficient.
What does "durable removal and storage" mean in the context of this RFI?
The notice uses the phrase to describe pathways that move biomass-derived carbon into long-lasting removal and storage outcomes. (The specific definitions and pathways ARPA-E has in mind would be detailed in the full RFI text.)
Who can respond to this RFI?
The listing shows the eligible applicant field as unrestricted. Because this is an RFI rather than a funding program, this primarily indicates who may submit input to ARPA-E rather than who can receive an award.
Does the "unrestricted" eligibility listing mean awards will be made to any applicant?
No. This notice is not offering awards. The unrestricted field relates to submitting responses to the RFI, not to receiving funding.
What is the deadline to submit an RFI response?
The listing includes an original closing date of September 27, 2024, which serves as the deadline for submitting responses to ARPA-E's RFI questions and prompts.
How many awards will be made under this notice?
None. The expected number of awards is listed as zero.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this opportunity?
There is no award funding under this notice. The award ceiling is listed as zero.
What agency and program area is associated with the listing?
The notice is listed under ARPA-E, and the activity category is associated with science, technology, and research and development (CFDA 81.135).
Where can I find the full RFI questions and submission instructions?
The full text, including ARPA-E's specific questions, the types of technologies or approaches they want feedback on, and instructions for submitting an RFI response, is posted on the ARPA-E FOA website at https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov.
Is there an active Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) I can apply to right now for this topic?
No. Based on the information provided, there is no active FOA associated with this RFI at this time.
What is the relationship between this RFI and a potential future ARPA-E program?
ARPA-E is using the RFI to collect input that could shape or inform a future program. The notice does not indicate a current award process, but it does indicate that responses may influence how ARPA-E frames a future effort.
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