On January 7th, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it was making available up to $125 million in funding for transformational energy projects through the ‘OPEN 2015’ program. The program, which will be run by the DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), will support energy research and development projects from top U.S. innovators, including game-changing new transportation and stationary technologies. ARPA-E has previously issued OPEN solicitations in 2009 and 2012.

This is a great opportunity for companies developing new technologies for energy innovation. Transformational technologies means: Think big!

US Energy Secretary Ernst Moniz states that the OPEN 2015 program “highlights ARPA-E’s commitment to transformational energy innovations. We are excited to announce this open solicitation to support the development of a broad range of disruptive technologies, advancing our all-of-the-above energy strategy to ensure a secure, affordable and sustainable American energy future.”

According to the program’s funding opportunity announcement, OPEN 2015 is open to wide variety of research areas, including: non-renewable and renewable electricity generation; electricity transmission, storage, and distribution; energy efficiency for buildings, manufacturing and commerce, and personal use; and the production and distribution of both renewable and non-renewable fuels, electrification, and energy efficiency in transportation. Applicants are asked to address how their technology would impact the mission areas of ARPA-E: reducing imported energy, reducing energy-related emissions, and improving energy efficiency.

All applicants must file a notice of intent by February 20th to qualify for consideration, with concept paper submissions due a week later on February 27th.