The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is inviting industry partners to collaborate on short-term projects aimed at advancing grid-integrated power electronics technologies. This initiative, part of the Grid Research Integration and Deployment Center (GRID-C), seeks to enhance the development and deployment of innovative, energy-efficient technologies for grid modernization. Proposals must focus on specific technology areas including materials, embedded controllers, and grid architectures, with a mandatory 20% cost-share from industry participants. Eligibility is limited to U.S. manufacturers in the residential or commercial grid hardware and power electronics sectors. The collaborative efforts aim to improve job creation and promote U.S. competitiveness in clean energy. Proposals will be evaluated based on feasibility, potential for commercialization, and impact on grid integration. Participants will enter a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to protect intellectual property while working with ORNL staff across diverse expertise. Proposals are to be submitted electronically, with ongoing selection at the discretion of the Department of Energy’s Transformer Resilience and Advanced Components Program, which oversees this initiative.

The CRADA No. NFE-2X-0XXXX is a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between UT-Battelle, LLC and a Participant, approved by the Department of Energy (DOE). It defines roles, responsibilities, and funding contributions from both parties to facilitate collaborative research. The agreement underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property, stipulating rights to inventions and proprietary information generated during the project. Key articles include a detailed Statement of Work, personal property ownership, liability disclaimers, rights in subject inventions, and obligations for data and reports. The document outlines that all generated information not marked proprietary is available for use by both parties and the government. The agreement emphasizes U.S. economic competitiveness, requiring that resulting products be manufactured in the U.S. and compliance with export controls. The project duration and goals are to be specified in the appendices, which also include background intellectual property details. Provisions are made for the termination of the agreement and for dispute resolution, asserting that the CRADA will be governed by Tennessee state laws when no federal laws apply. Overall, the document highlights the collaborative nature of research partnerships aimed at advancing U.S. scientific innovation while ensuring regulatory compliance and economic benefits.