Office of Technology Transitions EnergyTech University Prize 2022-2023

It’s your last chance to submit an entry to compete in this year’s EnergyTech University Prize! Registration closes today at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Registration is easy:

1. Once you’re logged in, click “Solve This Challenge” at the top of the EnergyTech UP HeroX page. 
2. Accept the terms and select your team status.
3. Then, click the “Begin Entry” button, which will have replaced the “Solve This Challenge” button at the top of the page.
4. Enter the following information (see contest rules for exact submission requirements):
   • Information about your team
   • A 200-word summary addressing the energy technology to be leveraged and the business opportunity
   • A short slide deck to accompany your summary (optional, but highly recommended)
5. Review your entry details and click the “submit entry” button at the top or bottom of the page.

Please review the contest rules for exact submission requirements.

If you have any last-minute questions about registration or what to submit, please reach out to OTT.EnergyTechUP@nrel.gov immediately. Remember, the deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET today, but don’t wait until the last minute! Prize administrators highly recommend submitting your entry as early as possible to avoid technical difficulties.

Good luck!

While any energy tech idea is welcome, there are also eight $25,000 bonus prizes available in the EnergyTech University Prize. Pick a tech and submit your 200-word initial idea by Jan. 26 to compete. If your business plan focuses on one of these eight technologies, you could win an additional $25,000:

• Building Technologies Office Bonus Focus: 120V Heat Pump Water Heaters
  The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Building Technologies Office is challenging you to develop an innovative business model to increase the adoption of 120V HPWHs in all climate zones and spaces (garages, attics, etc.) that will come close to replicating the recovery rate and first-hour ratings of 240V HPWHs.
   
• Geothermal Technologies Office Bonus Focus: Innovation and Inclusiveness
  DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office is challenging you to develop an innovative business model for a novel geothermal technology of your choice that tackles emerging challenges in the geothermal industry and aims to improve the performance, affordability, reliability, and value of geothermal energy and/or heat in the United States. The business model goal should be to increase the adoption of new geothermal technologies and maximize the performance and/or reduce the costs of the components, installation, and operation of geothermal energy and heat systems.
   
• Office of Electricity Bonus Focus: Grid Enhancing Technologies
  DOE’s Office of Electricity is challenging you to develop innovative models to increase the adaption of grid enhancing technologies to benefit the U.S. power grid.
   
• Office of Electricity Bonus Focus: Large Power Transformers
  DOE’s Office of Electricity is challenging you to develop innovative business models to stimulate the adoption of flexible large power transformers in the electric sector.
   
• Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Bonus Focus: Carbon Dioxide Removal
  DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is challenging you to develop innovative business models to increase the adoption of carbon dioxide removal technologies.
   
• Office of Nuclear Energy Bonus Focus: Accelerated Development and Deployment
  DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy is challenging you to develop innovative business models to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced technologies supporting advanced nuclear reactors and existing fleet capabilities in the United States.
   
• Office of Technology Transitions Bonus Focus: National Lab IP Licensing
  DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions is challenging you to develop innovative business models to help accelerate the commercialization of technologies available on the Lab Partnering Service. The winner of this prize also receives entry into the national event.
   
• Solar Energy Technologies Office Bonus Focus: Performance, Affordability, Reliability, and Value of Solar Technologies
  DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office is challenging you to develop an innovative business model for a novel solar technology of your choice that tackles emerging challenges in the solar industry and aims to improve the performance, affordability, reliability, and value of solar energy in the United States. The business model goal should be to increase the adoption of new solar technologies and maximize the performance and/or reduce the costs associated with the components, installation, and operation of solar energy systems.
   
• Water Power Technologies Office Bonus Focus: Powering the Blue Economy
  DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office is challenging you to develop an innovative business model for a novel hydropower or marine technology of your choice that tackles emerging challenges in the water power industry and aims to improve the performance, affordability, reliability, and value of hydropower or marine energy in the United States.

Interested in one of these areas but don’t have a specific innovation in mind? Check out the suggested technologies listed on the EnergyTech UP Lab Partnering Service page. You can use any of these as the basis of your entry. Then, start preparing a 200-word summary of your plan to submit an entry by the Jan. 26 deadline. Good luck!

Watch past winners and organizers share why and how to compete via the recording of Tuesday’s virtual event! The session was chock full of information on registration requirements, how to submit a entry, and tips for finding teammates. If you missed it, you can stream it and find a copy of the slides here (please note that this recording does not include the 15 breakout sessions with regional conveners).

Don’t forget, the deadline to register is Thursday, Jan. 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. If you’re planning to participate in EnergyTech UP 2023, make sure you submit an entry with your 200-word summary on this HeroX page—please note that following the competition or just clicking “Solve This Challenge” does not mean you are registered to compete – someone from your team must submit an entry with initial project and team details.

How to Register Your Team

1. Once you’re logged in, click “Solve This Challenge” at the top of the EnergyTech UP HeroX page. 
2. Accept the terms and select your team status.
3. Then, click the “Begin Entry” button, which will have replaced the “Solve This Challenge” button at the top of the page.
4. Enter the following information (see contest rules for exact submission requirements):
   • Information about your team
   • A 200-word summary addressing the energy technology to be leveraged and the business opportunity
   • A short slide deck to accompany your summary (optional, but highly recommended)
5. Review your entry details and click the “submit entry” button at the top or bottom of the page.

You'll have an opportunity to update these elements, if desired, if you are invited to pitch to judges at your regional Explore Event in February.

We encourage all participants to begin the entry process well before the Jan. 26 deadline, so if you have any questions about the application or experience any technical problems, you can email or post a question to the public HeroX forum for community and prize administrator support. 

Good luck!

On Tuesday, Jan. 17, join the EnergyTech UP Informational, Team Building, and Networking Virtual Event to get support and feedback from the organizations serving as EnergyTech UP regional conveners! 

These organizations and institutions are key to the success of the prize. EnergyTech UP administrators are grateful for the support of the following organizations, who will host regional Explore Events in late February for students in the surrounding geographic locations.

And don’t forget, all 15 regional conveners will be on hand during our Informational, Team Building, and Networking Virtual Event next Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. ET, to answer questions and provide helpful feedback on your business plan ideas. Register now and get the chance to connect with your regional convener ahead of the Jan. 26  deadline to submit an initial entry that just requires a 200-word summary of the technology to be leveraged and the business opportunity!

You must submit a "Register" Entry on HeroX by Jan. 26 to compete in EnergyTech UP. Join a virtual event on Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. ET to learn what you need to submit, find potential teammates and connect with your regional conveners.

During the event, prize administrators from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will give a brief overview of the competition goals and expectations, review the team registration requirements, and walk through the registration process. We’ll also be joined by two people from last year’s winning teams, who will share their experience and give advice on a successful submission.  

Then, we'll provide an opportunity for you to spend one-on-one time with the organizations hosting the regional Explore Events in February. They’ll be available to answer questions, provide feedback, and facilitate team building. Plus, connect with peers who will be competing from other schools in your region!  

Register now for the final virtual event on Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. ET. 

If you’re planning on participating in EnergyTech UP 2023, we highly recommend joining the Jan. 17 event. This is your last chance to get questions answered live ahead of the Jan. 26 registration deadline.  

Register now for the Informational, Team Building, and Networking Event and mark your calendars so you don’t miss the Jan. 26 registration deadline!