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!
