How to bid on Behind-the-Meter Energy Management Technology from the Department of Energy

What the Department of Energy is offering

The Department of Energy is making available for licensing, co-development, or evaluation a control algorithm. This technology manages behind-the-meter batteries and onsite generation to perform peak shaving and load shaping in electrical power systems. This means it helps reduce the highest points of electricity demand and adjusts energy consumption and generation patterns to meet cost or operational goals. The goal is to reduce energy costs and demand charges for facility operators, and to reduce strain on utility infrastructure.

This is not a contract or purchase opportunity. Instead, the agency is looking for industry partners such as energy technology companies, software developers, and electric utilities to advance this technology for commercial application.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This opportunity was published on July 20, 2026. The deadline for expressing interest is August 30, 2026, at 2:00 AM ET. By this date, interested parties should have reached out to discuss potential licensing terms, joint development pathways, or evaluation arrangements.

The deadline is when the Department of Energy will stop actively seeking new expressions of interest for this specific offering. It is important to engage before this date to be considered for partnership.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is ideal for power-system software developers, energy technology firms, and electric utilities. The technology is designed to be scalable, applicable across residential, commercial, industrial, nanogrid, microgrid, and distribution-system contexts. It can be deployed as software in a utility energy management system or as firmware on a standalone microcontroller.

Firms interested in reducing demand charges and energy costs for facilities, or those involved in coordinated control of local storage and generation for nanogrids and microgrids, would find this relevant. Companies focused on energy security for critical facilities like hospitals and defense installations are also a good fit.

How to respond to this opportunity

To access the details of this opportunity, click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it a second time to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account to view any associated documents, though this is not always required.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

When considering this opportunity, focus on how your company's existing capabilities align with the Department of Energy's goals for this technology. Highlight your experience in energy management systems, software development for power systems, or your role as an electric utility.

Clearly articulate your proposed pathway for collaboration, whether it's licensing, co-development, or evaluation. Emphasize how your involvement would accelerate the commercial application and deployment of this technology across its intended scalable uses. Provide specific examples of how your firm could integrate or utilize this algorithm to address the identified industry needs, such as reducing demand charges or enhancing energy security.