The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has released a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that aligns with the Biden Administration’s ambitious goals to achieve carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050. This FOA supports the development and scale-up of innovative biofuel and bioproduct technologies, focusing on “drop-in” biofuels for hard-to-electrify transportation modes such as aviation, marine, rail, off-road vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks. The purpose is to reduce reliance on petroleum, accelerate decarbonization, and contribute to environmental justice, while creating clean energy jobs and fostering inclusion of underserved communities.

BETO focuses on the research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) of technologies that can produce low-carbon biofuels and renewable chemicals. These technologies must aim to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 70% compared to petroleum-based alternatives. In particular, the FOA will fund the scale-up of integrated biorefineries that can produce biofuels from various feedstocks, including agricultural waste, forestry residues, municipal solid waste, and purpose-grown energy crops. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate technologies that will support commercial-scale biorefineries, which can contribute to meeting the U.S. goal of producing 35 billion gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2050.

This FOA offers funding for projects at pilot and demonstration scales. The focus areas include scaling up biofuel production technologies, leveraging existing infrastructure (e.g., first-generation biorefineries), and reducing the cost and risk of these technologies. Successful projects must show that they can meet key technical milestones, such as producing at least 20,000 gallons per year of biofuels and demonstrating significant reductions in GHG emissions.

The FOA supports a multi-phased approach to scaling up bioenergy technologies:
1. Phase 1 focuses on verification and design basis definition, where projects verify prior data and establish the design of the pilot facility. Up to $3 million in federal funds is available for Phase 1 projects, with a minimum 50% cost share required.
2. Phase 2 includes final design, construction, and operation of the pilot facility, contingent upon successful performance in Phase 1 and subject to future appropriations. Federal funding for Phase 2 could be as high as $15 million, with a 50% cost share requirement from the award recipient.

Key considerations for applicants include NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) compliance, ensuring financial readiness to proceed through both phases, and the incorporation of lifecycle analysis to demonstrate GHG reductions. Projects must demonstrate an ability to scale effectively and must provide technical details, including process flow diagrams, mass and energy balances, and techno-economic analyses.

The FOA emphasizes projects that can contribute to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge and help decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify, ultimately aiming to support the construction of 4-5 demonstration-scale biorefineries by 2030. This supports DOE’s broader goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 450 million metric tons annually by 2050.