The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a notice of intent to issue funding for the research and development (R&D) of medium- to heavy-duty, on-road natural gas engine technology.
On behalf of the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled “Medium/Heavy-Duty, On-Road Natural Gas Engine Research and Development.”
“To support future U.S. economic growth and help consumers and businesses, the VTO funds early-stage, high-risk research to generate knowledge upon which industry can develop and deploy innovative transportation energy technologies that improve efficiency; lower cost for families and business; and increase use of secure, domestic energy sources,” the notice says.
EERE says the goal is to “enable natural gas engines that can cost-effectively achieve diesel-like efficiency while meeting current and future emissions standards.”
The announcement notes that the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory already held a public workshop in July to “identify early-stage research needs for natural gas engines.” A summary of the observations can be found here.
EERE expects to issue the FOA next month. Specifically, it expects “multiple financial assistance awards in the form of cooperative agreements.”
More information can be found here.
