The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) has announced the Innovating Distributed Embedded Energy Prize (InDEEP) launch. Firstly, this prize will offer up to $2.3 million to competitors. They have to develop novel technologies for harnessing and converting the power of ocean waves into usable forms of energy.
Ocean Waves with New Technologies: The prize aims to support the development of distributed embedded energy converter technologies (DEEC-Tec), which combine many small energy converters into a more extensive system capable of converting energy from a wide range of ocean locations and wave types. Secondly, the goal of InDEEP is to encourage early-stage DEEC-Tec research that will lead to the eventual deployment of these technologies at all scales, including the provision of power to electricity grids.
Ocean Waves with New Technologies: Wave energy is the most abundant and geographically diverse marine energy resource in the United States. Therefore, the total available wave energy resource in U.S. waters equals approximately 34% of all U.S. power generation in 2019.
InDEEP will run for two years and three phases. It will incentivize the development of novel DEEC-Tec-based concepts, focusing on leveraging wave energy converter innovation methods to systematically develop DEEC-Tec concepts that could bring value to the ocean wave energy industry. For instance, the prize will also encourage the development of novel DEEC-Tec with high potential relevant to wave energy converters. The prize phases will increase in complexity for competitors.
The first phase will center on team building and concept creation, with up to 20 teams receiving $15,000 each. Phase I is open for submissions and will close on August 25, 2023. After that, phase II will focus on a simple prototype proof-of-concept for a single distributed embedded energy converter. Thirdly, the final phase will invite Phase II winners to combine multiple distributed embedded energy converters into a structure tested in a laboratory.
In addition to cash prizes, competitors will receive support such as training in innovation methods, connections with commercialization mentors, and the opportunity to learn more about the marine energy field. The prize aims to facilitate knowledge transfer among industries focused on distributed embedded energy converters. The competition welcomes participation and submissions from diverse, multidisciplinary teams, including those with and without experience in marine energy. InDEEP is funded by WPTO and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories. In conclusion, individuals should visit the American-Made Challenges website to participate in the prize. Then stay up to date with other U.S. Department of Energy competitions designed to spur innovation in clean energy.
Link of interest: $156 Million to Promote Industrial Decarbonization
Link of interest: Water Power Technologies Office
