Critical Facility Energy Resilience (CiFER)

Background
The Critical Facility Energy Resilience (CiFER) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is issued by the Department of Energy (DOE), specifically through the Office of Electricity (OE). The mission of this FOA is to advance innovative energy storage technologies from early-stage research and development to widespread commercialization.

The goal is to deploy these technologies at host sites with critical infrastructure needs, ensuring that they meet the required scale, performance, and technology maturity levels necessary for commercialization. This initiative aligns with the DOE's strategy to enhance the resilience and reliability of the nation's energy delivery system.

Grant Details
The CiFER FOA aims to support large-scale deployment of innovative storage technologies at critical infrastructure sites. Key tasks include:
- Deploying an innovative energy storage technology at a host site with identified resiliency needs;
- Demonstrating the benefits of this technology in real-world applications;
- Conducting analyses on the resiliency benefits provided by the storage system;
- Disseminating results to stakeholders;
- Participating in data-sharing initiatives such as the Rapid Operational Validation Initiative (ROVI).

Applicants must provide technical details about their proposed Energy Storage System (ESS), including bi-directional capabilities, efficiency metrics, system size, duration requirements, and adherence to safety standards. Partnerships between technology providers and organizations benefiting from resiliency analytics are encouraged.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include domestic entities such as institutions of higher education, for-profit entities, non-profit organizations, state and local governments, and federally recognized Indian Tribes. Foreign entities may apply under specific conditions with a waiver request.

Applicants must also meet cost-sharing requirements: 20% for research and development projects and 50% for demonstration projects, with certain reductions available for specific types of organizations.

Period of Performance
The estimated project period of performance is three years, with a minimum demonstration phase lasting 12 months during which data must be collected for evaluation.

Grant Value
The total funding available under this FOA is approximately $15 million, with an anticipated individual award size of up to $5 million per project. Cost share contributions are expected from applicants as part of their project proposals.

Place of Performance
The grant activities will be performed at designated host sites that have critical infrastructure needs requiring enhanced energy resilience.