DE-FOA-0002720: RFI - Underground Power Lines
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK) (DE-FOA-0003630). Status: Closes November 20, 2026 (13 days left). It is in our archive of Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy notices from 2022.
Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy offered grants to any type of organization. Applications closed on April 1, 2022.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed March 1, 2022. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | March 1, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | April 1, 2022 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | July 1, 2022 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to any type of organization.
- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is not seeking applications for financial assistance. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITTUE A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA). NO FOA EXISTS AT THIS TIME.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Most of the program's money (43% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is not accepting applications for financial assistance. The purpose of this RFI is solely to solicit input for ARPA-E consideration to inform the possible formulation of future programs. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit input for a potential future ARPA-E research program focused on technologies to improve the resilience, reliability, and security of the medium voltage (MV) electric power distribution system by undergrounding power lines. The goals of this research effort would be to develop 1) reliable and safe construction and installation technologies for underground MV distribution systems that are cost-competitive to constructing overhead systems, 2) technologies for robust health monitoring and predictive maintenance of existing and new underground power distribution systems, and 3) approaches to enable rapid repair with minimal surface disruptions. ARPA-E is seeking information at this time regarding transformative, scalable, and rapidly deployable technologies that could: (a) Reduce the cost of civil works associated with overhead-to-underground conversion or the construction of new underground power lines close to existing buildings and active surface use (e.g. road traffic) while minimizing surface disruption. (b) Construct underground vaults and install conduits in various terrain types and geologic conditions cost-effectively while avoiding damage to existing underground infrastructure such as subways, gas pipes, potable water and sewer pipes, and telecommunication wires. (c) Dramatically reduce errors in the underground cable installation processes where failures are prone to occur (e.g. cable splices, installation of cables). (d) Improve the performance of installed systems with advanced sensing and data tools (e.g. monitoring and analyzing system health, locating point of failure quickly and precisely, detecting and categorizing incipient failures before they cause a catastrophic failure). (e) Repair a point of failure quickly and safely with minimal surface disruption for prompt power restoration in the event of a failure. ARPA-E is interested in learning about the barriers to implementing underground MV distribution systems and technological innovations required to overcome such barriers. ARPA-E would also like to be informed about the priorities of potential technology development areas in order to create the most impactful potential program to overcome such barriers.
Who has won Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (81.135) awarded $1.4 billion across 729 grant awards, an average of $1.9 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX Corporation | Connecticut | 15 | $33.9 million |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts | 16 | $31.4 million |
| BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC | Virginia | 1 | $30.9 million |
| Ge Vernova Operations LLC | New York | 8 | $26.4 million |
| University of Maryland, College Park | Maryland | 11 | $23.6 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, DE-FOA-0003630, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is DE-FOA-0002720 still open?
No. It closed on April 1, 2022. A newer notice is open: DE-FOA-0003630, closes November 20, 2026 (13 days left).
Who can apply for RFI - Underground Power Lines?
Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy accepted applications from any type of organization. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for RFI - Underground Power Lines?
Closed April 1, 2022. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
Who has won Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were RTX Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC. The program made 729 awards worth $1.4 billion in that time.