Towards this end, the Office of Fossil Energy is seeking to partner with organizations with similar goals to help improve understanding and develop cooperative action by reaching out to additional international and national organizations to conduct a series of co-related tasks.

Carbon Capture and Storage and Clean Energy Systems. Clean Energy Systems/Technologies under the FOA are systems and technologies that improve the efficiency of power generation and conversion systems to liquids and chemicals from fossil-based fuels, enabling affordable CO₂ capture, increasing plant availability, and maintaining environmental standards.

This includes technologies required to reduce the capital and operating cost and to meet zero emission targets in power systems (e.g., turbines, fuel cells, hybrids, novel power generation cycles); coal conversion (e.g., gasification) and beneficiation; advanced combustion (e.g., oxy-combustion, chemical looping, ultra super critical steam); and hydrogen and fuels.

Additionally, the requirement includes efforts on enabling technology (e.g., sensors and controls) energy conversion, water issues, advanced modeling, and simulation materials.

The DOE noted that of significant importance in the carbon capture and storage area are the R&D activities on post-combustion and pre-combustion capture; carbon utilization; and carbon storage activities; including the Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships, the Carbon Capture Simulation Initiative (CCSI), and National Risk Assessment Program (NRAP).

Specific areas of interest under the FOA in this program area include:

• Carbon Capture and Storage and Clean Energy Systems Consultation, Analysis and Cooperation. This is to engage recognized experts in CCS and CES to provide advice and assistance to decision makers, stakeholders, state and local government officials, non-profit organizations, universities, non-governmental organizations, and the public as appropriate. These consultations could involve face-to-face meetings and discussions with the selected experts.

  DOE is also seeking analyses, studies and reports on selected topics by CCS and CES experts to provide independent and unbiased perspectives on critical issues to promote greater understanding of CCS domestically and internationally. The information created will be used at seminars, conferences and workshops attended by various stakeholders, as well as disseminated domestically and internationally, as appropriate.

• Carbon Capture and Storage and Clean Energy Systems Outreach. This is to upport efforts to increase the capacity of decision makers, stakeholders and the public to understand, develop and deploy CCS and CES technologies and systems with outreach programs. These programs include conferences, workshops, fora or other events that benefit the public by providing insight and education.

• Carbon Capture and Storage and Clean Energy Systems Conference and Workshop Support. This will organize and conduct workshops or seminars focused on specific CCS and CES technologies and issues each year in the US. The presentations, summaries of findings, outcomes, and information from these activities would be disseminated to the public as appropriate.

International Oil and Natural Gas. The DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy’s Office of Oil and Natural Gas (FE Oil & Gas) works to achieve a diversified supply of oil and natural gas resources while minimizing environmental impacts. The program conducts international activities that support environmental protection and safety of global oil and gas production. The program also oversees the import and export of oil and natural gas.

FE Oil & Gas seeks to promote its mission in general and specifically promote “safe and responsible” development of oil and natural gas in the United States and in other countries, by sharing best practices and advanced technology. The areas of interest to FE Oil and Gas under the FOA are:

• Oil and Gas Consultation, Analysis and Cooperation. This includes engaging recognized experts in international oil and natural gas to provide advice and assistance to Government and private decision makers, US industry representatives, non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders, and other members of the public who make critical decisions about international oil and natural gas policy. These consultations could involve face-to-face meetings and discussions with the selected international oil and natural gas experts.

  This area also envisions conducting analyses and preparing studies and reports on selected topics of interest to NGOs, universities, other government agencies, and various stakeholders by international oil and natural gas private sector experts, to provide independent and unbiased perspectives on critical issues related to diversifying the supply of oil and natural gas while minimizing environmental impacts.

• Oil & Natural Gas Bilateral and Regional Initiatives and Activities. Under this area, DOE seeks assistance in the organization and implementation of meetings, conferences, and workshops on oil and gas technology with international partners including foreign governments, companies, universities, and NGOs.

  One of the Office of Oil and Natural Gas’ main international meetings is the annual US-China Oil & Gas Industry Forum (OGIF). As appropriate, summaries of the findings, outcomes, and/or discussions of these events will be provided to the public.

• Import/Export of Natural Gas and Methane Hydrates Activities. FE’s Office of Oil and Natural Gas operates a research program focused on methane hydrates. To facilitate this research, it is necessary to call together US and international researchers to discuss advances in testing, production, and utilization.

  The recipient of award funding will conduct meetings focusing on methane hydrates testing, production, and utilization which are consistent with FE Oil & Gas goals and objectives. Meetings may be held domestically or internationally in support of international agreements. Where possible and appropriate, outcomes and summaries of these meetings will be made available to the public.

  Under the Natural Gas Act, anyone who wants to import or export natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) from or to a foreign country must first obtain an authorization from the Department of Energy. FE’s Office of Oil and Natural Gas fulfills this regulatory function. In order to inform stakeholders, including US companies that wish to obtain export licenses, and potential buyers of exported gas, of the requirements for obtaining export authorization, it is necessary to do public outreach. The recipient will also conduct events informing domestic and international audiences of the Office’s regulatory function under the Natural Gas Act related to the import and export of natural gas. These may include public outreach and environmental considerations.