Drop in Alternative Fuels Innovation Projects (PON 6189)

Description

NYSERDA Program Opportunity Notice (PON) 6189 supports pilot, demonstration, and first-of-a-kind (FOAK) commercial development projects that produce drop-in alternative fuels from New York State waste, residues, biogenic feedstocks, and captured CO₂. This solicitation seeks the most viable pathways to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors such as aviation, heavy-duty freight, maritime, rail, industry, and low-carbon backup power.

Proposals are sought from developers, technology firms, manufacturers, and research organizations to develop projects that produce an eligible fuel product, including sustainable aviation fuel, renewable natural gas, renewable diesel, low-carbon methanol, and renewable propane. Ammonia, raw biogas, biodiesel, and hydrogen are not eligible as the finished fuel product.
NYSERDA will accept proposals in one of three categories:

Category A – Pilot: validation of the integrated alternative fuel system, moving from laboratory to engineering scale, at a specific New York State site.
Category B – Demonstration: Demonstration of the integrated alternative fuel system at a scale representative of a commercial facility, at a specific New York State site.
Category C – First-of-a-Kind Commercial Development: development-stage activity funding to advance a first-of-its-kind commercial project in New York State toward construction and commercial operation.

Proposals must demonstrate expertise in conversion technology, engineering, and feedstock supply, along with a host site and a prospective offtake or end-use partner. Funding can be applied to fuel production—from the initial feedstock to the finished fuel transfer point—and to third-party analysis or certification testing to verify that the finished fuel meets specifications or regulatory limits. Projects must meet a minimum 50% cost-share requirement from non-NYSERDA funding sources.

The proposing entity does not need to be based in New York, but the project must be located at a specific site in New York State. Proposers are strongly encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent to Propose as early as possible; NYSERDA will respond within three weeks of receipt as to the eligibility of the project under this solicitation.

Rolling submissions are accepted until December 31, 2029, 3:00 p.m. ET, or until all funds are committed.

For more information on NYSERDA’s clean fuels programs, visit the Advanced Fuels Innovation webpage and join our mailing list to stay connected.

Application Submission

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Application Instructions and Portal Training Guide [PDF]

Associated Documents

Contact

Ajay Jagdish