April 2017

Background
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Strategic Energy Institute launched the Energy Policy and Innovation Center (EPICenter) in October 2016 with the intent to advance energy policy and technology innovation in the southeastern United States and explore critical intersections between policy, technology, economics, and social considerations that may arise from the convergence of these issues. The EPICenter has been conceived to specifically focus on energy innovation within the Southeast in view of a growing awareness that the U.S. energy system is composed of regions, each of which has unique energy needs and opportunities.

EPICenter Mission, Objectives and Related Efforts
Mission: The center’s mission is to provide authoritative, unbiased, fact-based policy studies and analyses that address southeastern regional perspectives on global, national, and regional energy issues, while also developing a regional community that is actively working at the intersection of energy technology and policy. In implementing its mission, the center seeks to deepen the technological foundation upon which energy policy decisions are made and to accelerate the dissemination of pragmatic solutions in the region via broader dialogue among major stakeholders.

Objectives: The center will strive to accelerate a diversity of reliable, affordable and increasingly low-carbon energy options in the Southeast while investigating challenges in both power generation and in transportation on a regional basis. Techno-economic, social and policy factors, as well as near and longer term impacts, are within the scope of consideration. Primary center products include:

• Work Products including studies and roadmaps: produce and disseminate rigorous,fact-based policy studies that will address southeastern perspectives on global, national and regional energy issues;
• Events such as conferences, workshops, and symposiums on relevant energy issues, serving as a nonpartisan facilitator for academic, business and nongovernmental stakeholders;
• Outreach that includes:
  • facilitation of faculty and student exchanges to provide opportunities for learning and information exchange among students, faculty and visiting scholars with other regional universities, nonprofits, and research organizations.
  • educational development and workforce development that develops educational tools and methodologies consistent with its mission. It will also support training and workforce development with relevant stakeholders including regional utilities and energy equipment providers and strive to facilitate stakeholder collaboration and public-private energy partnerships.

Focus on Leveraging and Collaboration: The center will draw upon extensive expertise across multiple constituencies in the region, including academia, utilities, industry, key national labs, and other public and private stakeholders. The center will leverage funds from both the public and private sectors. Potential collaborators include Oak Ridge National Laboratories and major universities in the region.

The center is currently focusing on two primary means to achieve the above objectives: (1) directed funding of studies, on topics1 identified from an advisory council and center leadership, (2) open calls for proposals to lead or complement studies, initiate regional collaborations, and other means.

This RFP is directed towards the second approach.

Proposals that nurture regional collaborations and that leverage or accompany external sources funding are particularly encouraged. Download an application cover sheet (required).

You may also print the RFP document, by clicking the following link: EPICenter Summer 2017 Instructions & Guidelines