NREL also invites interested parties to register to attend a two-day virtual workshop to learn about applying to CIP on Dec. 4 and 5, 2024, 12:30 to 3 p.m. MT.
Managed by NREL on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Wind Energy Technologies Office, CIP awards cost-shared subcontracts and national laboratory technical assistance to component suppliers and manufacturers of small- and medium-sized wind turbines.
NREL has issued a Competitiveness Improvement Project notice of intent in advance of a 2025 funding solicitation. The project supports manufacturers of distributed wind energy technology, such as Eocycle. The Eocycle wind turbine shown here is one of three small-scale distributed wind turbines (15 kilowatt to 100 kilowatt) at NREL’s Flatirons Campus. Photo by Gregory Cooper, NREL
“CIP plays a key role in reducing the costs of distributed wind energy technologies, advancing innovative products into testing, and increasing the number of certified wind turbines available on the U.S. market,” said Brent Summerville, NREL’s CIP lead. “Through this notice of intent and upcoming workshop, NREL is preparing distributed wind manufacturers for the next CIP solicitation in 2025.”
CIP supports innovation to advance wind energy as a cost-effective, reliable, and compatible distributed energy resource option by:
Reducing component and system costs
Optimizing designs for increased energy production
Developing advanced manufacturing processes to reduce hardware costs and meet growing demand
Improving compatibility with other distributed energy resources and grid-support capabilities
Ensuring that distributed energy consumers have wind technology options that are certified to national performance and quality standards.
Workshop Supports Successful CIP Proposals
The December 2024 virtual workshop will present an overview of CIP and review previous topic areas, evaluation criteria, testing and certification requirements, and laboratory-based technical assistance opportunities.
“Designed specifically for companies interested in applying to the 2025 CIP solicitation, this workshop will help attendees understand the RFP process and criteria in preparation for submitting on-target proposals,” Summerville said.
Speakers will cover these and a variety of other topic areas, including:
Previous CIP solicitation topics and guidance on which potential topic areas may be the most appropriate for different turbine technology development stages
Merit criteria and expectations for information to be included in proposals
Overview of turbine and component testing and certification processes
Technical assistance opportunities
Contracting requirements and the RFP process.
