Clean Energy to Communities Program: In-Depth Partnerships
Through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program, NREL offers in-depth technical partnerships that support communities in developing secure, reliable, resilient, equitable, and affordable clean energy systems.
Submit Proposals on SAM.gov by June 14
NREL has an open request for proposal for communities of all types for two to four new in-depth partnerships, each including up to $500,000 in subcontracting funding and $3,500,000 of technical assistance from one or more national laboratories. Successful community teams will bring electric utilities and local governments together to solve cross-sectoral energy transition challenges.
Watch the informational webinar about In-Depth Partnerships on YouTube, or register on Zoom to attend a follow-up webinar on May 14.
What are C2C In-Depth Partnerships?
In-depth partnerships help communities develop a validated plan to put clean energy ambitions into action and address key energy challenges. Partnerships are composed of local government, community-based organizations, electric utilities, and other key organizations that can represent the community. These partnership teams work alongside national laboratory staff to apply robust modeling and analysis tools and conduct hardware-in-the-loop demonstration of solutions adapted to the community's unique conditions and contexts. This multiyear partnership allows local decision makers to evaluate and test potential scenarios and strategies in their energy transition before full technology deployment, thereby lowering risks to implementation.
Eligibility
C2C in-depth partnerships accept community teams composed of:
- Local governments
- Community-based organizations
- Utilities.
In-depth partnerships focus broadly on cross-sectoral issues related to renewable energy, mobility, and buildings. Energy security, resilience, and disaster preparedness—as well as energy equity and environmental justice—are also considered.
Communities selected for in-depth partnerships are provided:
- A dedicated point of contact within the national laboratory system
- Direct subcontract funding to support staff or consultants
- Facilitation and community engagement support
- Extensive technical support from the DOE national laboratory complex.
C2C worked with Golden Valley Electric Association in Fairbanks, Alaska, to evaluate and de-risk its transition to clean energy options in a partnership that helped shape the current in-depth partnership offering.
Contact
If you have questions about C2C In-Depth Partnerships, please email C2C.
Sign up for C2C email updates to be notified when program applications open.
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