Request for Information - Gauging Investor Interest in the Development and Commercialization of Subsurface Energy Technologies

The Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) has issued a Request for Information (RFI), number DE-FOA-0003671, to gauge investor interest in the development and commercialization of subsurface energy technologies. This initiative aims to bridge the "valley of death" for capital-intensive technologies in the Coal, Oil & Gas, and Geothermal sectors by connecting private capital with HGEO's technical expertise and public-private partnerships, such as the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program. HGEO is soliciting feedback from capital providers, technology startups, and other stakeholders regarding investment structures, risk tolerance, and technical bottlenecks. Key areas of interest include modular LNG technology, advanced geothermal drilling, and coal powerplant modernization. Additionally, responders can leverage resources from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which offers significant research capabilities and supercomputing access. This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to fund projects or issue a formal Request for Proposals. Responses must be submitted electronically to DE-FOA-0003671@netl.doe.gov by 5:00 PM ET on October 5, 2026. Submissions must be in Microsoft Word format, limited to 10 pages, and contain the required institutional contact information. Proprietary or confidential business information must be clearly marked.