Energy Dept. seeks to fund $125M in ‘transformational’ projects

The Energy Department is taking proposals for “transformational” energy research and development projects.

The department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency — Energy (ARPA-E) opened its third open funding round Wednesday morning, soliciting applications for up to $125 million in funding, an opportunity it’s calling OPEN 2015.

{mosads}“OPEN 2015 highlights ARPA-E’s commitment to transformational energy innovations,” Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in a statement.

“We are excited to announce this open solicitation to support the development of a broad range of disruptive technologies, advancing our all-of-the-above energy strategy to ensure a secure, affordable and sustainable American energy future.”

Moniz announced the funding round in a Wilson Center speech Wednesday morning previewing his 2015 priorities.

ARPA-E was created in 2009 in an effort to extend some lessons from the Defense Department’s research agency into the energy sphere.

Its previous open funding rounds started in 2009 and 2012.