Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003389
DE-FOA-0003389 is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), to gather industry and stakeholder input on renewable propane production technologies and how renewable propane (and related renewable gaseous intermediates) could be used across emerging biofuel and bioproduct supply chains. The RFI sits within BETO's Conversion Research and Development (R&D) Program and is intended to help DOE understand where research, development, and potential future program efforts could most effectively improve the technical and economic viability of renewable propane, especially as it relates to producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other high-impact products from a range of biogenic and waste resources.
A central theme of the RFI is supply chain clarity: DOE is trying to map how renewable propane is produced, handled, upgraded, transported, and ultimately used, and to identify bottlenecks or opportunities where R&D could make a meaningful difference. DOE highlights several feedstock categories that are relevant to national bioenergy and decarbonization goals, including municipal waste streams, agricultural residues, forest resources, and fats, oils, and greases (often abbreviated as FOG). By focusing on both production and end uses, the RFI signals interest not only in chemistry and process technology, but also in real-world logistics and market conditions that shape whether renewable propane becomes a co-product, an intermediate, or a fuel in its own right.
The RFI specifically seeks feedback from industrial entities that already produce renewable propane or are actively considering production. A key question DOE wants industry to address is the practical refinery-level tradeoff between using renewable propane on-site versus recovering it for off-site sale. In particular, DOE is interested in facilities that hydroprocess biogenic fats, oils, and greases (a common pathway for producing renewable diesel and SAF-range hydrocarbons). In these settings, propane can be generated in situ as a byproduct of hydrotreating or hydroprocessing. DOE is asking respondents to weigh the costs and benefits of burning that renewable propane as process energy (for heat, steam, or other site energy needs) compared to the added equipment, operational complexity, purification requirements, and logistics needed to separate, recover, and sell it into external propane markets. That includes the kind of details only operators and technology providers typically have, such as incremental capital costs, operating costs, energy integration impacts, product purity constraints, storage and distribution considerations, price realization, offtake requirements, and how internal fuel use might affect overall plant economics and carbon intensity outcomes.
Importantly, this notice is not a grant competition and not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). DOE is not accepting applications, and there is no funding attached to this action. The purpose is strictly to collect information that can inform DOE thinking, future analyses, and potentially future program priorities or solicitations. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and lists eligible applicants as unrestricted, which in RFI terms generally means any relevant stakeholder can respond (companies, technology developers, trade associations, researchers, and other knowledgeable parties), even though DOE emphasizes interest in industrial perspectives.
Responses are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 5, 2024, and must be submitted electronically by email to RenewablePropaneRFI@ee.doe.gov. DOE requests that responses be attached to the email rather than placed in the email body, and recommends compressing files larger than 25 MB (for example, using a zip file) to reduce delivery issues. DOE prefers submissions in Microsoft Word (.docx) with a 10-page limit and/or Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) format; if needed, a plain text (.txt) file is acceptable. Respondents are encouraged to label their input clearly by question or topic area and may answer as many or as few questions as they choose, which is typical for RFIs designed to lower participation barriers and encourage targeted, experience-based input. The full RFI document and any structured questions are available through EERE Exchange at https://EERE-Exchange.energy.gov, and the issuing office is identified as the Golden Field Office.
In practical terms, this RFI is DOE's way of pressure-testing how renewable propane fits into the broader biofuel and SAF buildout: where it is being produced today, where it could be produced from additional waste and biomass pathways, what constraints limit its recovery or use, and what technical or economic improvements would most increase its value. The emphasis on refinery decision-making (use as process fuel versus recover and sell) also reflects a broader policy and market reality: renewable fuel facilities often live or die on co-product strategy, and DOE is looking for grounded data on what makes renewable propane a meaningful lever for decarbonization and profitability rather than just an incidental byproduct.Apply for DE FOA 0003389
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DE-FOA-0003389 Request for Information (RFI) on Renewable Propane Production Technologies and Uses" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-05. (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 $1.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FAQs: DOE Request for Information (RFI) on Renewable Propane (DE-FOA-0003389)
What is DE-FOA-0003389?
DE-FOA-0003389 is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). It collects input on renewable propane production technologies and how renewable propane (and related renewable gaseous intermediates) could be used across emerging biofuel and bioproduct supply chains.
Is this a grant or a funding opportunity?
No. This notice is an RFI, not a grant competition and not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). DOE is not accepting applications, and there is no funding attached to this action.
What is the purpose of this RFI?
The purpose is to gather industry and stakeholder feedback that can inform DOE thinking, future analyses, and potentially future program priorities or future solicitations. A central theme is improving DOE's understanding of where research and development (R&D) could most effectively improve the technical and economic viability of renewable propane.
Which DOE office is issuing the RFI?
The RFI is issued by EERE's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), within BETO's Conversion Research and Development (R&D) Program. The issuing office is identified as the Golden Field Office.
What topics is DOE asking about?
DOE is seeking input on renewable propane production technologies, supply chain considerations, and end uses. DOE is also looking for information on how renewable propane fits into broader biofuel and bioproduct supply chains, including producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other high-impact products.
What does DOE mean by "supply chain clarity" in this RFI?
DOE is trying to map how renewable propane is produced, handled, upgraded, transported, and ultimately used. The RFI aims to identify bottlenecks and opportunities where R&D could make a meaningful difference in real-world deployment.
Which feedstocks does the RFI highlight as relevant?
DOE highlights several feedstock categories tied to national bioenergy and decarbonization goals, including municipal waste streams, agricultural residues, forest resources, and fats, oils, and greases (FOG).
Who is DOE especially interested in hearing from?
DOE specifically seeks feedback from industrial entities that already produce renewable propane or are actively considering production. The RFI also lists eligibility as unrestricted, which generally means any relevant stakeholder can respond.
Who is eligible to respond?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and lists eligible applicants as unrestricted. In practical terms for an RFI, that generally means any knowledgeable stakeholder may respond (for example, companies, technology developers, trade associations, researchers, and other parties with relevant experience), although DOE emphasizes industrial perspectives.
What refinery-level decision is DOE focused on?
A key question is the practical tradeoff between using renewable propane on-site versus recovering it for off-site sale. DOE is interested in the costs, benefits, and operational implications of burning renewable propane for process energy (such as heat or steam) compared to separating, purifying, storing, and distributing it for external markets.
Which production pathway does DOE call out as especially relevant to renewable propane generation?
DOE highlights facilities that hydroprocess biogenic fats, oils, and greases (FOG). In these settings, propane can be generated in situ as a byproduct of hydrotreating or hydroprocessing used to produce renewable diesel and SAF-range hydrocarbons.
What kinds of details does DOE want respondents to address about on-site use versus recovery and sale?
DOE is interested in operator- and technology-provider-level details such as incremental capital costs, operating costs, energy integration impacts, product purity constraints, storage and distribution considerations, price realization, offtake requirements, and how internal fuel use might affect overall plant economics and carbon intensity outcomes.
Is DOE only interested in chemistry and process technology?
No. By focusing on both production and end uses, DOE signals interest not only in chemistry and process technology, but also in logistics and market conditions that influence whether renewable propane becomes a co-product, an intermediate, or a fuel in its own right.
How does this RFI relate to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)?
The RFI is intended to help DOE understand how renewable propane could support supply chains producing SAF and other high-impact products from biogenic and waste resources, and where R&D could improve the technical and economic viability of renewable propane in that context.
Do I have to answer every question in the RFI?
No. Respondents may answer as many or as few questions as they choose. DOE encourages respondents to label their input clearly by question or topic area.
When are responses due?
Responses are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 5, 2024.
How do I submit a response?
Responses must be submitted electronically by email to RenewablePropaneRFI@ee.doe.gov.
Should the response be included in the email body?
No. DOE requests that responses be attached to the email rather than placed in the email body.
Are there file size recommendations?
Yes. DOE recommends compressing files larger than 25 MB (for example, using a zip file) to reduce delivery issues.
What file formats does DOE prefer?
DOE prefers submissions in Microsoft Word (.docx) with a 10-page limit and/or Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) format. If needed, a plain text (.txt) file is acceptable.
Is there a page limit?
DOE prefers Microsoft Word (.docx) submissions with a 10-page limit.
Where can I find the full RFI and any structured questions?
The full RFI document and any structured questions are available through EERE Exchange at https://EERE-Exchange.energy.gov.
What is DOE trying to learn in practical terms?
DOE is pressure-testing how renewable propane fits into broader biofuel and SAF buildout: where it is being produced today, where it could be produced from additional waste and biomass pathways, what constraints limit its recovery or use, and what technical or economic improvements would most increase its value.
Why is DOE emphasizing co-product strategy and refinery decision-making?
The RFI reflects the reality that renewable fuel facilities can depend heavily on co-product strategy. DOE is looking for grounded data on what makes renewable propane a meaningful lever for decarbonization and profitability rather than merely an incidental byproduct.
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| Undocumented Orphaned Well Characterization and Remediation Apply for DE FOA 0003343 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003343 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,400,000 |
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