The solicitation includes the establishment of a US-based consortium to work collaboratively with Chinese firms for ensuring energy, water, and environmental security and fighting climate change.
Apart from the DOE’s investment, the consortium will also be funded $12.5m recipient cost share for a total of $25m in the five year performance period.
China will also invest $25m, bringing the total bilateral investment to $50m.
In November 2014, the US and China made a renewed and expanded commitment to the CERC including extending its mandate for an additional five years from 2016-2020.
It includes renewed funding for the three existing tracks: building efficiency, clean vehicles, and advanced coal technologies with carbon capture, use and sequestration.
Plans also include the launch of a new track on the interaction of energy and water.
The FOA plans to transform how water is utilized in energy production and electricity generation as well as improve water quality and availability for a range of human applications.
It includes water use reduction at thermoelectric plants; treatment & management of non-traditional waters; enhancing sustainable hydropower design and operation.
The FOA also features climate impact modeling, methods, and scenarios to support enhanced understanding of energy and water systems; and data and analysis to inform planning, policy, and other decisions.
US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz said: "Water resource scarcity, variability and uncertainty are impacting energy systems in the U.S. and China.
"Increasing collaboration through the CERC engages the technical resources of both countries, opening opportunities for researchers and industrial partners to address our common challenges in the energy-water nexus. By leveraging science, technology and innovation, we can ensure our collective energy and water security."
