Propellant: DOE’s $23 million new investment into Renewable Chemicals and biofuels
In Washington, the US Bioenergy Technologies Office announced up to $23 million in funding to support domestic chemicals and fuels from biomass and waste resources. The opportunity is called Sustainable Propane and Renewable Chemicals (SPARC).
The SPARC notice of funding opportunity supports R&D of domestic chemicals and fuels from a variety of biomass and waste resources. Producing chemicals and propane and/or a mix of gases similar to liquid petroleum gas from renewable feedstocks will help to secure domestic supply chains, promote rural economies, and improve the nation’s competitiveness in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing industry.
Topic Area 1: Bio-based Chemicals
Topic Area 1 Specific Areas of Interest
Specific areas of interest for Topic Area 1 include, but are not limited to:
• Technologies that can be scaled through the utilization or modification of existing U.S. ethanol fermentation infrastructure
• Technologies that produce 3-hydroxypropionic acid
• Technologies that use whole-kernel corn as a feedstock
• Technologies that combine biological and chemical processes
Topic Area 2: Bio-based Propane/LPG
Topic Area 2 seeks to pursue new pathways for the production of sustainable liquefied propane and/or petroleum gases (LPG) from a variety of feedstocks including municipal waste, agricultural residues, forest resources, and fats, oils, and grease.
Subtopic Area 2a: Gaseous Intermediate Upgrading to LPG
Gaseous conversion routes are viewed as a promising precursor to producing LPG. Subtopic 2a seeks to mature pathways that can convert various gaseous intermediates including biogas, carbon dioxide, and syngas, into LPG. Many of these gaseous intermediates are readily available and can offer near term opportunities for technology development and deployment. By the conclusion of these projects, they should be ready for pre-pilot testing and integration of these processes.
Subtopic Area 2b: Intermediate Energy Crop Conversion to LPG
Nearly all renewable propane/LPG currently produced is a co-product of the hydrotreated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) process at renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facilities that utilize fats, oils, and greases as feedstocks. However, these feedstocks (yellow grease, animal fats, soybean oil) are, or are very nearly, fully utilized. To realize sustainable fuel production goals, new oil seeds are actively being developed, and compatibility with HEFA catalysts is critical to ensuring that existing refineries can utilize them.
Topic Area 2 Specific Areas of Interest
• Small-scale or modular technologies for conversion of gaseous intermediates to propane/LPG
• Technologies that can be deployed in rural and/or remote communities
• Catalytic technologies that can accept additional oil-seed crops, especially camelina, carinata, pennycress, and oil producing annual cover crops
Documents
- DE-FOA-0003518 Sustainable Propane and Renewable Chemicals (SPARC) NOFO Part 1
- DE-FOA-0003518 Sustainable Propane and Renewable Chemicals (SPARC) NOFO Part 2
Additional Information & Key Dates
BETO envisions awarding multiple financial assistance awards for this NOFO in the form of cooperative agreements lasting approximately three years.
Required concept papers are due by 5:00 pm ET, on March 14, 2025, and the full application deadline is 5:00 pm ET, on May 30, 2025. More information on the SPARC NOFO and how to apply can be found on EERE Exchange. Additional information on the NOFO and applicant eligibility is also available on Grants.gov. For questions relating to this specific NOFO, please send emails to sparcnofo@hq.doe.gov.
The webinar
An informational webinar for potential applicants of this funding opportunity will be held on January 22, 2025, at 2:00 pm ET.
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