The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) is partnering with the technical community to advance geothermal systems research and development throughout the United States. This FOA seeks to fund geothermal energy research and development projects that address the following three areas.

First, projects must address environmental risk factors associated with recovery of heat from the subsurface consistent and seek to ensure that geothermal energy development is consistent with the highest practicable standards, consistent with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, section 614. The environmental risks may include, but are not limited to: the impacts of induced seismicity, effects on groundwater and local hydrology, and consumption (and potential contamination) of potable/fresh water.

Second, DOE seeks projects that will add innovative methods for extracting heat from geologic formations lacking hydrocarbons to GTP's technology portfolio.

Third, projects should aim to reduce the Levelized Cost of Electricity for new methods of geothermal energy production to $0.10 kWh to $0.06 kWh.

DOE's objective is to promote geothermal heat recovery technologies that mitigate or preclude potential adverse environmental impacts of geothermal energy development, production or use; include innovative methods for extracting heat; and alleviate financial risks.

This is a Request for Information (RFI) not a Funding Opportunity Announcement. No funding is available with this RFI. The Department of Energy and the Bureau of Reclamation are requesting input from the public on new, advanced hydropower technologies that are ready for demonstration and testing, or that are worthy of additional research and development investments. The term "advanced technology" means products that are not already widely available commercially and that offer substantial energy and environmental benefits to renewable energy portfolios in the United States.