SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- Concentrating Solar Power Technology R&D Voucher Program at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF)
- Notice Date
- 2/22/2021 8:16:38 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 54171
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life SciencesT
- Contracting Office
- NTESS, LLC - DOE CONTRACTOR Albuquerque NM 87185 USA
- ZIP Code
- 87185
- Solicitation Number
- 20_18
- Response Due
- 3/1/2021 5:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 09/30/2021
- Point of Contact
- Concentrating Solar Power
- E-Mail Address
-
CSP@sandia.gov
(CSP@sandia.gov)
- Description
- Purpose Sandia National Laboratories� (Sandia) is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and individuals on the use of the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF), a Core Capability and Technology Deployment Center of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).� Proposals are sought that further technologies related to Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). Proposals meeting the RFP criteria will be reviewed in up to 3 rounds with the deadlines noted above. SETO has made up to $1 million available for this partnership opportunity to cover the cost of support and testing at the NSTTF in order to increase CSP technology market adoption. Sandia will award partnership vouchers based on responses to this RFP for projects that can utilize the expertise and testing facilities at the NSTTF at Sandia in Albuquerque, NM. Background Information Overview and Purpose This Request for Proposals (RFP) is being issued by Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to support the advancement of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technology for market adoption. Sandia hosts the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF), a DOE Core Capability and Technology Deployment Center. SETO works across the solar energy technology spectrum with the goal of improving the affordability, reliability, and performance of solar technologies on the grid. SETO works to achieve 2030 SunShot targets that reduce the cost of solar by an additional 40% to 70% beyond 2018 costs. Achieving these targets would make solar one of the most affordable sources of new electricity generation. The 2030 SunShot goal for CSP with thermal energy storage is to produce baseload power at $0.05/kWh and peaker power at $0.10/kWh.� Figure 1 illustrates a waterfall chart showing a pathway towards achieving the 2030 SunShot goal. Fig 1 (In the Attachments Section): Waterfall chart showing one possible path to achieving an unsubsidized levelized cost of electricity of $0.05/kWh for a concentrating solar power tower plant in the southwestern United States (BOP = Balance of Plant) SETO has tasked Sandia to run a voucher program supporting the CSP R&D community in advancing technology to market by offering the analysis, design and testing capabilities of the NSTTF. Successful applicants will have achieved progress towards the development of a technology that has relevance to CSP at the time of proposal submission. This technology can be a system, a sub-system or a component of a CSP plant. Proposals will be required to provide satisfactory evidence towards meeting 2030 SunShot goals. For instance, in the development of a new heliostat system, the cost of this plant sub-system is linked to the costs and assumptions of the rest of the CSP plant. In Figure 2, a cost target of $50/m2 for the heliostat system is based on a baseline configuration assuming a 50% efficient power block and other baseline assumptions. Applicants will be required to defend the estimated commercial cost of their technology according to suitable benchmarks such as the 2030 SunShot goals. Fig 2 (In the Attachments Section): The �Baseline 2030 Baseload Scenario� in this graph indicates a combination of solar field cost and net power cycle efficiency�the two most influential technical measures�that meet the 2030 SunShot baseload target of $0.05 per kWh, using the metrics in Figure 8. The other lines show that reducing annual O&M costs, lowering power block costs, and validating longer plant lifetimes may relax the required targets for solar field cost and power cycle efficiency. Each line represents a single change from the baseline scenario. Achievements significantly exceeding the baseline targets are highly impactful. The voucher program will cover Sandia�s costs in the partnership. The applicant will be responsible for their own costs in the partnership. Successful applicants will be able to work with Sandia through several mechanisms, listed at: �https://www.sandia.gov/working_with_sandia/technology_partnerships/index.html. �Most commonly, a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), a Strategic Partnership Project (SSP) or a Technology Development Center (TDC) is formed. As a CRADA, our team of Sandia scientists, engineers and technologists and one or more partners outside the federal government collaborate and share the results of a jointly conducted research and development project. As an SPP, Sandia will perform work at the direction of the applicant, which is done remotely. Alternatively, as a TDC, the applicant will have an opportunity to bring their technology and work on-site at the NSTTF together with our team of scientists, engineers and technologists. Key NSTTF Capabilities available through this RFP NSTTF, founded in 1987, is a DOE Core Capability and Technology Deployment Center located in Albuquerque NM. Operated by Sandia National Laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the NSTTF is the only multi-use, multi-story test facility of this type in the United States. Since its inception, the NSTTF has been intimately involved in the research, design, fabrication, and testing of many of the critical CSP technologies that have allowed costs to be dramatically reduced. The NSTTF�s primary goal is to provide experimental engineering data for the design, construction, and operation of unique components and systems in proposed solar thermal electrical plants planned for large-scale power generation. Researchers at the NSTTF are currently working on developing the key technology pathways identified by SETO for Generation 3 technologies.� The researchers also have expertise in related areas of high temperature component modeling/simulation and design. The site was built and instrumented to provide test facilities for a variety of solar and non-solar applications. The facility has the following capabilities and services, detailed below: 200-ft tower with ~200 37-m2 heliostats for up to ~6 MW of thermal power high heat flux and temperatures for materials testing or aerodynamic heating simulation; Molten Salt Pots up to 750�C (Chlorides & Nitrate Salts), MSTL 600�C, 600 GPM, 1.4 MWth beam characterization system and flux targets large fields of optics for astronomical observations or satellite calibrations; Aerial drone capability for heliostat analysis a 16 kWt solar furnace; 600 W/cm2 flux potential to test materials >2,500�C with a 5 cm spot size diameter. a 1 MWt solar simulator chemistry laboratories with diagnostic and characterization equipment available at Sandia to support CSP activity; Salt and sodium test facilities for >1,000 hr materials compatibility and component efficacy/performance/reliability experimentation. a rotating platform for parabolic trough evaluation Also includes high temperature oils test systems to evaluate decomposition and HTF fluid performance up to 400�C. 1 MWt falling particle receiver system available for testing heat exchangers, valves, flow meters 100 kWt particle heat exchanger ~10 kg/s particle conveyance and recirculation system Two sCO2 loops for testing heat exchangers and receivers including a modular single-pressure sCO2 flow loop rated to 1.5 kg/s of flow at 200 bar and 700�C. Additional heating possible to reach higher temperatures. Metrology capability of measuring irradiance, temperatures, wind speed and direction Optical laboratory capable of characterizing heliostat facets using SOFAST and AIMFAST Glare analysis measurements and modeling For more information regarding the NSTTF, such as current research projects and facility details please visit the website at: https://energy.sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/csp/nsttf/ CSP Testing and Design Capabilities The site is currently supporting all aspects of CSP including: optics (heliostats, dishes, metrology), high temperature receivers, balance of plant systems, heat transfer fluids/media, and heat flux measurements. Experts at the facility are working on projects to develop and commercialize falling particle receivers, high temperature salt systems, aerial drone utilization for metrology and alignment, and heliostat designs.� The current test facilities include a solar tower and heliostat field with maximum heat flux input of 250 W/cm2, a solar furnace with a maximum heat flux input of 600 W/cm2, a solar simulator with a maximum heat flux input of 120 W/cm2, an optical metrology laboratory, and high temperature furnaces.� The CSP team has studied and designed components and materials to withstand the intense heating conditions and is a world leader in CSP research.� The facility is funded by the Department of Energy and supports customers with projects awarded from the DOE, as well as industrial partners and other government entities. Optics Research Capabilities The NSTTF has an extensive research capability in the field of optical analysis and development. The onsite Optics Lab is capable of studying optical characterization of heliostat and dish facets. With the help of optical tools like AIMFAST and SOFAST, the CSP team studies and develops optical methods for heliostat designs. The tools are also applicable to assembly/production line environments. In addition, field support for characterization and alignment of CSP systems is provided. SOFAST, a highly accurate fringe-reflection-based measurement tool, is used to characterize and set the focus heliostat facets in the laboratory. HFACET is an optical-based alignment tool that is used to efficiently re-align the facets after re-attaching them to the heliostat. AIMFAST is used to characterize dish facets and align dish systems. Reflectance (q) is a measurement set-up to measure the surface solar-weighted reflectance versus angle of incidence. Fabrication Facilities At the NSTTF, the CSP team has experienced mechanical technologists capable of designing and building mechanical components for CSP technologies. The NSTTF has a large machine shop for mechanical fabrication. It contains saws capable of cutting materials 20 ft. in length at low tolerances and a magnetic drill press. The mechanical technologists can weld using MIG, TIG, or Orbital methods and have experience welding Haynes 230 and Inconel alloys. NSTTF also has the capacity to design and develop large test structures up to 20 ft. x 20 ft. x 20 ft. in dimension. The following list includes mechanical fabrication that NSTTF Mechanical technologists can facilitate. Machinery: Lathe capable of turning down pipes (3� capacity) Shear (8� x 4� x 0.25� capacity) Mills for fine tuning cuts Solar engine repair High pressure system fabrication and installation 60 ft. manlifts for installation/repair 12,000 lb. rough terrain telehandler forklift 8,000 lb. slab forklift 10,000 lb. rough terrain telehandler forklift Large platform scissor lift (30� reach) Jib Cranes x 2 (10,000 lb. each) in the tower for fabrication at base of tower Bridge crane in high bay fabrication area (10,000 lb.) Coatings Research To meet the SunShot goal of levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 6�/kWh by 2020, next generation power towers will operate at temperatures > 600�C in order to take advantage of increased efficiencies of high-temperature operation. Current receiver coatings, such as Pyromark 2500, while highly absorbent, suffer from high emittance and have been reported to degrade during operation at T > 600�C. Here at the NSTTF, the CSP team is working to increase the thermal efficiency of SSA coating by 4% at 650�C, and 7% at 800�C, which can potentially reduce the LCOE by an estimated 0.25 �/kWh. Using the NSTTF facilities, the CSP team has the research capabilities to develop coatings to effectively reach LCOE of 6�/kWh.� Other capabilities include: Developing chemical formulations and application methods to enhance absorption, selectivity, and coating durability Developing surface modification techniques to enhance solar selectivity Performance optimization of coatings supported by isothermal testing at temperature On-sun testing of coatings (isothermal and temperature cycling) at the solar furnace and ASHES Refining coatings based on optical performance and durability. CSP Materials Research CSP team members can leverage a wide range of materials expertise and characterization at the NSTTF and Sandia as a whole. This includes chemistry labs, microscopy, elemental and crystallographic analysis, and thermal testing. Materials efforts at the NSTTF support projects in coatings, corrosion (e.g. by molten salts) of alloys and construction materials, and particle analysis.�� In addition to the coatings research described above, staff at the NSTTF conduct basic and applied research in the area of solar-thermal chemistry, including thermochemical energy storage, solar thermochemical water splitting for hydrogen production (in partnership with DOE�s Fuel Cell Technology Office), and renewable synthesis of commodity chemicals, e.g., ammonia. Key Information This RFP is meant to facilitate customer interaction with this DOE core capability by providing a cost-effective option for utilizing one or more of the many NSTTF capabilities.� Sandia is seeking proposals for projects that will utilize the modeling/simulation, design, fabrication, or testing capabilities of the NSTTF.� Work will be performed at Sandia under direction of or in collaboration with the project awardee(s).� No funding will be awarded directly to the project awardees; the total budget will be allocated to Sandia to support the awarded project(s). Proposals should identify the capability to be utilized, the type of work required, and the expected deliverables of the project.� Detailed project scope must be defined in the proposal in order to be selected and to finalize the project budget with Sandia financial specialists.� Successful proposals should scope their work to be less than 1.2 full time equivalents (FTEs). # of Awards: �1-5 project(s) will be funded, dependent on funding amount. Funding amount: A Minimum of $150,000 to a maximum of 500,000 funding available for all projects for utilization of Sandia resources. Suggested labor hours for proposed work at Sandia would not exceed 2400 hours. Period of Performance: �1 year Limit on Applications: There is no limit to how many responses one organization can submit. Cost Share: No cost share requirement; Applicants can propose to bring their own prototypes, hardware, or supplies to supplement the project budget. Contract Requirements: Contracting options such as CRADA or SPP contracts depend on project scope, and can be viewed at the Technology Partnership website for Sandia at: https://www.sandia.gov/working_with_sandia/technology_partnerships/index.html For a respondent to participant in this RFP, they are required to submit a proposal by the listed deadline below. After proposals are reviewed, Sandia will notify participants if they are encouraged to continue in the evaluation process. Those who are encouraged will advance to the clarification interview phase. Both the proposal and clarification interview will be used in evaluations to determine the final selection(s). Eligibility Information Private entities (for-profits and nonprofits), academic institutions, and individuals can compete for this project award and are subject to the following requirements: Private entities must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States with majority domestic ownership and control. Academic Intuitions must be based in the United States.� An individual competitor (who is not competing as a member of a group) must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident. A group of individuals competing as one team may win, provided that the online account holder of the submission is a United States citizen or a permanent resident. Site access is restricted for foreign national team members. Areas of Interest/Topic Areas/Research Objectives Projects considered should be Concentrating Solar Power-related and integrate well with the existing capabilities that the NSTTF provides.� Areas of interest include: receiver testing, heat transfer fluid evaluation in on-sun conditions, heat-exchanger testing, thermal/thermochemical storage systems, molten salt and associated components evaluation, high temperature coating development, supercritical CO2 component evaluation, particle-receiver and particle-component evaluation, gas receiver component evaluation, heliostat evaluation/design, control system integration and evaluation, and solar-thermochemical processes.� testing of small scale CSP systems is of particular interest.� Sandia can provide support in the form of modeling/simulation, design, fabrication, and testing of these technologies. Potential projects could also align with DOE SETO technology areas detailed in the 2018 Portfolio Review for the office.� This document can be seen here. Application Requirements The process for applying to this RFP will be in two phases; proposal and clarification interview. In order to participate in the clarification interview, you must receive an encouragement from the proposal phase. All steps in the process must meet the requirements listed below and the required criteria. Proposal Content Instructions In order to submit to this RFP an applicant must submit a proposal. The proposals will be evaluated based on criteria listed in this document. Proposals will be used to determine who will be encouraged for clarification interviews and the final award selection. The proposal must be in the following format: Must be submitted as an Adobe PDF document Must be written in English Maximum page limit of 5 pages, 1� margins, font no smaller than 12 pt Times New Roman. Proprietary Information Applicants should not include trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential in their application unless such information is necessary to convey an understanding of the proposed project or to comply with a requirement in the FOA. Applicants are advised to not include any critically sensitive proprietary detail. If an application includes trade secrets or information that is commercial or financial, or information that is confidential or privileged, it is furnished to the Government in confidence with the understanding that the information shall be used or disclosed only for evaluation of the application. Such information will be withheld from public disclosure to the extent permitted by law, including the Freedom of Information Act. Without assuming any liability for inadvertent disclosure, Sandia will seek to limit disclosure of such information to its employees and to outside reviewers when necessary for merit review of the application or as otherwise authorized by law. This restriction does not limit the Government�s right to use the information if it is obtained from another source. Proposals, clarification interviews, and other submissions containing confidential, proprietary, or privileged information must be marked as described below. Failure to comply with these marking requirements may result in the disclosure of the unmarked information under the Freedom of Information Act or otherwise. The U.S. Government is not liable for the disclosure or use of unmarked information and may use or disclose such information for any purpose. The cover sheet of the proposals, clarification interview, or other submission must be marked as follows and identify the specific pages containing trade secrets, confidential, proprietary, or privileged information: Notice of Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Data: Pages [list applicable pages] of this document may contain trade secrets, confidential, proprietary, or privileged information that is exempt from public disclosure. Such information shall be used or disclosed only for evaluation purposes or in accordance with a financial assistance or loan agreement between the submitter and the Government. The Government may use or disclose any information that is not appropriately marked or otherwise restricted, regardless of source. [End of Notice] The header and footer of every page that contains confidential, proprietary, or privileged information must be marked as follows: �Contains Trade Secrets, Confidential, Proprietary, or Privileged Information Exempt from Public Disclosure.� In addition, each line or paragraph containing proprietary, privileged, or trade secret information must be clearly marked with double brackets or highlighting. Submission To submit a proposal to round one of this call, please email your response to CSP@sandia.gov no later than 5:00pm (PT) on March 1st,� 2021. Responses to this RFP must be submitted electronically and provided as attachments to an email. It is recommended that attachments with file sizes exceeding 25MB be compressed (i.e., zipped) to ensure message delivery. Only electronic responses will be accepted. A receipt email will be sent to acknowledge submission. Clarification Interview Instructions Proposals that meet the merit criteria and are identified as suitable projects will be invited to provide a clarification interview.� The interview will be one hour in length and will consist of a 15-minute presentation given by the proposal team.� A PowerPoint presentation is requested to detail the proposed project.� A question and answer session will follow the presentation for a duration up to 45 minutes. Merit Criteria and Selection Process The Sandia CSP technical team will be reviewing and evaluating proposals and clarification interviews based on the criteria listed below: Compliance Criteria: Proposals are deemed compliant if: The proposal meets all content and form requirements The proposal is submitted by the listed deadline The proposal work can be performed at the NSTTF Clarification Interviews are deemed compliant if: The response meets all content and form requirements The response is submitted by the listed deadline Technical Review Criteria: Criterion 1: Innovation and Impact (50%) The project is innovative and impactful, assuming the stated outcomes can be achieved as written. The project is differentiated with respect to existing commercial products, solutions, or technologies. If successful, the project is scalable to have a broader impact and maintained at a sufficiently large scale after project completion. Criterion 2: Quality and Likelihood of Completion of Stated Goals (30%) The application demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of project risks and challenges the proposed work will face and incorporates reasonable assumptions related to the execution of the project (i.e. market size, customer participation, costs, speed of proposed scale-up or adoption). The information included for the project is validated through customer trials, data from prior work, report references, technical baselines established, or similar. The stated goals of the project are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) and likely to be accomplished within the scope of this project. The proposed budget is reasonable to achieve the objectives proposed.� The project work can be suitably completed at the NSTTF within the current capabilities/infrastructure available. Criterion 3: Capability and Resources of the Applicant/Project Team (20%) The team is well qualified and has the capability and resources necessary to successfully work with Sandia to complete the project goals. The proposal outlines integration of the project with the Sandia team to successfully complete the proposed metrics. Evaluation and Administration by Federal and Non-Federal Personnel Federal employees are subject to the non-disclosure requirements of a criminal statute, the Trade Secrets Act, 18 USC 1905. The Government may seek the advice of qualified non-Federal personnel. The Government may also use non-Federal personnel to conduct routine, nondiscretionary administrative activities. The respondents, by submitting their response, consent to EERE providing their response to non-Federal parties. Non-Federal parties given access to responses must be subject to an appropriate obligation of confidentiality prior to being given the access. Submissions may be reviewed by support contractors and private consultants. Contact Information If you have questions regarding this RFP, please email CSP@sandia.gov. The Sandia staff will not be able to respond to questions regarding individual proposal concepts. Questions will be answered within 3 business days.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://beta.sam.gov/opp/bc914ec3d12a4c2e8584b29bbb257a62/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Albuquerque, NM 87123, USA
- Zip Code: 87123
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 87123
- Record
- SN05922622-F 20210224/210222230106 (samdaily.us)
- Source
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