Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001876
The Department of Energy, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), issued Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0001876 titled "Next Generation Transformers - Flexible and Adaptable Designs" to push forward new approaches to large power transformer (LPT) design that make the electric grid easier to restore and more resilient after major equipment losses. The central idea is to move away from highly customized, one-off transformer builds and toward more standardized, interchangeable designs. By encouraging designs that can be more readily swapped or adapted when an LPT fails, the program aims to shorten restoration timelines and reduce the grid-level disruption that can follow the loss of one or more critical transformers.
A key technical focus of the opportunity is practical proof-of-concept work rather than purely theoretical studies. Applicants are expected to develop and test lab-scale prototypes larger than 100 kVA, large enough to meaningfully demonstrate performance characteristics while still being feasible for controlled laboratory evaluation. The intent is that these prototypes serve as credible demonstrations of flexible, adaptable architectures that could ultimately scale to full-size LPT applications. Performance evaluation is an explicit expectation, meaning proposals should be structured around measurable technical outcomes and testable claims.
The FOA also places strong emphasis on "embedded intelligence" within transformer designs. Beyond mechanical or electrical modularity, DOE is encouraging integration of sensors and data analytics so the transformer can better handle a wide range of operating environments. This includes steady-state operation as well as extreme or abnormal conditions. In practice, this points to transformers that do more than passively operate: they should be able to monitor internal and external conditions, provide actionable diagnostics, and support predictive maintenance or health forecasting. The goal is improved asset operation and lifecycle management, with earlier warning of emerging problems and better decision support for operators.
From an administrative standpoint, the funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial federal involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. The opportunity was listed under discretionary funding, with activity categories spanning energy, environment, science and technology, community development, and other R&D. Eligibility was broadly open ("unrestricted"), meaning any entity could apply as long as it met any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement text.
In terms of scale and timing, the FOA anticipated making about five awards, with an award ceiling of $1.5 million per project. The opportunity was created on June 8, 2018, and originally closed on July 31, 2018. The program is associated with CFDA number 81.122. Overall, the funding opportunity can be read as a targeted push to modernize transformer design around standardization, rapid replaceability, and intelligent monitoring, with prototype validation serving as the bridge between innovative concepts and deployable grid hardware.Apply for DE FOA 0001876
- The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the community development, energy, environment, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Next Generation Transformers – Flexible and Adaptable Designs" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.122.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 08, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2018. (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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and number of this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0001876, titled "Next Generation Transformers - Flexible and Adaptable Designs."
Which agency issued the FOA?
The FOA was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
What problem is this FOA trying to solve?
The FOA targets the challenge of restoring the electric grid after major equipment losses, especially when one or more large power transformers (LPTs) fail. The goal is to reduce restoration time and limit grid-level disruption caused by the loss of critical transformers.
What is the main technical idea behind "flexible and adaptable" transformer designs?
The central idea is to move away from highly customized, one-off transformer builds and toward more standardized, interchangeable designs. By enabling transformers to be more readily swapped or adapted, utilities and operators may be able to restore service faster when an LPT fails.
Is the FOA focused on research papers and theoretical studies, or practical demonstrations?
The FOA emphasizes practical proof-of-concept work rather than purely theoretical studies. Applicants are expected to develop and test prototypes in a laboratory setting and support their claims with measurable performance evaluation.
What kind of prototype is expected under this FOA?
Applicants are expected to develop and test lab-scale prototypes larger than 100 kVA. The prototypes should be large enough to meaningfully demonstrate performance characteristics while still being feasible for controlled laboratory evaluation.
Why does the FOA specify prototypes larger than 100 kVA?
The intent is to require prototypes that are substantial enough to credibly demonstrate performance and design concepts, while still remaining manageable for laboratory testing. The prototypes are meant to serve as a believable bridge between innovative concepts and eventual full-size LPT applications.
Does the FOA require performance testing and evaluation?
Yes. Performance evaluation is an explicit expectation. Proposals are expected to be structured around measurable technical outcomes and testable claims demonstrated through prototype testing.
What does the FOA mean by "embedded intelligence" in transformer designs?
"Embedded intelligence" refers to integrating sensors and data analytics into the transformer so it can monitor conditions, provide diagnostics, and support more informed operations and maintenance. The FOA points toward transformers that can actively track internal and external conditions rather than operating only as passive hardware.
What operating conditions should the embedded intelligence help address?
The FOA highlights the need to handle a wide range of operating environments, including steady-state operation and extreme or abnormal conditions.
What outcomes is embedded intelligence supposed to support?
The goal is improved asset operation and lifecycle management, including earlier warning of emerging problems and better decision support for operators. The FOA also points toward predictive maintenance or health forecasting capabilities.
What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial federal involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant.
How many awards did DOE expect to make?
The FOA anticipated making about five awards.
What was the maximum funding amount per award?
The award ceiling was $1.5 million per project.
What was the eligibility for applicants?
Eligibility was listed as "unrestricted," meaning any entity could apply as long as it met any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement text.
What funding type and activity categories were associated with the FOA?
The opportunity was listed under discretionary funding, with activity categories spanning energy, environment, science and technology, community development, and other research and development (R&D).
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 81.122.
When was the FOA created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on June 8, 2018, and originally closed on July 31, 2018.
How does this FOA relate to large power transformers (LPTs) specifically?
The FOA is explicitly aimed at advancing approaches to LPT design. Even though the required prototypes are lab-scale, they are intended to credibly demonstrate architectures that could ultimately scale to full-size LPT applications.
What does "standardization" mean in the context of this FOA?
In this FOA, standardization refers to shifting transformer designs toward more uniform, interchangeable configurations rather than bespoke, one-off builds. The intended benefit is easier replacement or adaptation after a failure, which supports faster grid restoration.
What is the overarching purpose of the FOA in one sentence?
It is a targeted push to modernize transformer design around standardization, rapid replaceability, and intelligent monitoring, with prototype validation serving as the bridge from concept to deployable grid hardware.
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