The Department of Energy Tuesday rolled out its second market information request for carbon-free electricity at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, with an eye toward bigger projects that might generate power for locals near the nuclear complex.
A top DOE nuclear cleanup manager at Savannah River said recently the agency is evaluating solar projects proposed in the first round of Cleanup to Clean Energy solicitations at the 310-square-mile weapons complex site.
While solar projects are expected to be deployed relatively quickly, the second tranche of carbon-free energy could take more time “to support delivery of energy to the surrounding communities and perhaps eventually making SRS [the Savannah River Site] energy self-sufficient,” according to the May 14 online notice.
Responses to this request for information are due by 12 p.m. Eastern Time on June 10, according to the notice. DOE is already planning a May 23 information day on this second round clean-power solicitation.
The Cleanup to Clean Energy Program is an outgrowth of President Joe Biden’s executive order 14057. The program envisions making federal installations such as SRS using 100% carbon-free power as early as 2030.
The program defines carbon-free electricity as not only wind, solar and hydroelectric but other sources, including nuclear power and even fossil-fuel generation bundled with carbon capture and storage.
Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm formally kicked off the Cleanup to Clean Energy program in July 2023. Phase 2 at Savannah River helps DOE assist energy developers “to build, validate and operate their technologies under a long-term land lease agreement,” according to the notice materials. Because this program is not an acquisition by DOE, Federal Acquisition Regulation standards don’t apply.
The department’s contact person on round 2 is Jeff Hynds, [email protected].
