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American-Made Program

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Power At Sea Prize

Create reliable and cost-effective renewable power at sea to support Powering the Blue Economy™ initiatives. #PowerAtSea Prize

This challenge is closed

Energy, Environment & Resources Government
stage:
Judging Closed
prize:
$1,700,000

This challenge is closed

Energy, Environment & Resources Government
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Summary
Timeline
Updates7
Forum24
Teams1.1K
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Webinars, Recordings, & OpenSeas Office Hours
Summary
Overview Guidelines Disclaimer

Overview

Our oceans are a crucial asset: a precious habitat to millions of species, a vital carbon sink, and a key determinant of environmental and human health. Society’s growing need for ocean-derived food, materials, energy, and knowledge is fueling growth in next-generation maritime or “blue” technologies. This effort requires access to consistent, renewable power untethered from land-based grids. 

With reliable and cost-effective renewable power at sea, competitors in the Powering the Blue Economy™ Power at Sea Prize could help us come to a greater understanding of the world’s oceans. The prize aims to nurture innovative technologies that utilize the power inherent in the ocean to enable responsible use of resources, better prediction and tracking of tropical storms, better monitoring and support of marine aquaculture, and more. 

The Power at Sea Prize, which expands on the Ocean Observing Prize, is structured to support competitors through the early stages of developing a new system, subsystem, or component from original conception to a testable stage of initial development. 

The prize aims to be a proving ground for ideas that have not yet had the opportunity to flourish and is structured so competitors end the prize better positioned for future technology development.

 

Prize Structure 

Through two phases, CONCEPT and DEVELOP, the Power at Sea Prize will provide winners with access to direct support, including trainings, mentorship, and new connections that aim to accelerate the advancement of concepts into real prototypes. 

In the CONCEPT Phase, competitors selected a blue economy application that their proposed system, subsystem, or component supports, and an integration challenge their solution intends to resolve. In November 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office awarded a total of $200,000 to 20 CONCEPT Phase winners.

In the DEVELOP Phase, the 20 winning teams from the CONCEPT Phase will work to advance their concept and prepare it for future technology development after the prize. Up to 20 phase winners will be awarded from a cash prize pool of up to $1,500,000.

 

Prize Phases

 

The Power at Sea Prize was established and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Sea Grant, NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, and NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture. The prize is part of the American-Made program and is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Guidelines

Please review the official rules document for the complete application process and instructions for competing. Please note that the competition is now closed to new competitors.

If you want to subscribe to updates about the prize or have any questions, you may use the contact feature on the HeroX platform, or .  

 

Disclaimer

Note the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is evaluating all funding opportunities, including prize challenges, to ensure appropriate resources are allocated efficiently, and that the Department's initiatives are in line with the statutory mission of DOE and the policies and priorities of the Administration and DOE. DOE is undertaking this evaluation in accordance with all laws, regulations, and fiscal responsibility, as efficiently as possible.

View legal agreement
Timeline

Challenge Timeline

start
Nov. 12, 2023, 11 p.m. PST
Enter
Nov. 13, 2023, 8:32 a.m. PST
Date Launched
Nov. 29, 2023, 10 a.m. PST
Informational Webinar
Join this informational webinar to learn more about:
● Deadlines and eligibility
● CONCEPT Phase rules
● How to put together a strong application
● The challenge areas and blue economy applications to build your technology around

Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jky_CmnwrI0

Access the slides here: https://www.herox.com/PowerAtSea/resource/1619
April 3, 2024, 10 a.m. PDT
Office Hours
Join this informal office hours to to ask your questions about:
● Deadlines and eligibility
● CONCEPT Phase rules
● The challenge areas and blue economy applications to build your technology around

The prize administration team will plan to be on the call for 30 minutes to answer questions from competitors. Q&As will be posted on HeroX after the meeting.

Register here: https://nrel.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsduqqqTMsGsvaTeMj9smLxaAZjXqyfMY#/registration
June 24, 2024, 11 a.m. PDT
PBE: Power at Sea Prize INNOVATE! Webinar
This unique webinar marks the third of our webinar series Power at Sea: Ask, Explore, Innovate, Apply and offered competitors the opportunity to engage directly with our experts. Check back for more details.

Register here: https://nrel.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_0HohW8XiQoO5iYTY_2SD7w#/registration
June 25, 2024, 9:30 a.m. PDT
OpenSeas Webinar: From Idea to Implementation
Taking an innovative idea to a successfully sustained enterprise that delivers its value to the world requires two major components that proceed in parallel – the development of technology, and the development of the business opportunity. This webinar will discuss the commercialization process – and how to increase the probability of your success beyond the Power at Sea Challenge.

Register here: https://calendly.com/jjacronin/power-at-sea-idea-to-implementation?month=2024-06&date=2024-06-25
June 28, 2024, 1 p.m. PDT
OpenSeas Webinar: From Idea to Implementation
Taking an innovative idea to a successfully sustained enterprise that delivers its value to the world requires two major components that proceed in parallel – the development of technology, and the development of the business opportunity. This webinar will discuss the commercialization process – and how to increase the probability of your success beyond the Power at Sea Challenge.

Register here: https://calendly.com/jjacronin/power-at-sea-idea-to-implementation?month=2024-06&date=2024-06-28
July 1, 2024, noon PDT
OpenSeas Webinar: Market Segmentation & Alignment
Markets are not monolithic and successful innovators understand how to analyze a market and determine their “beachhead” segment. This webinar will look at how to break down your chosen market area and how to decide which part to go after.

Register here: https://calendly.com/jjacronin/power-at-sea-market-segment-identification?month=2024-07&date=2024-07-01
July 8, 2024, noon PDT
OpenSeas Webinar: Customer Discovery
The major reason that start-ups fail is the lack of alignment of their innovation to a real world need that future customers care about. The best way to develop technology and a value proposition that aligns with the market, is to use the power of customer discovery to find out the needs of the market and hone your solution. This webinar will discuss how to use the process of customer discovery to provide a solid base for technical and business opportunity development.

Register here: https://calendly.com/jjacronin/power-at-sea-customer-discovery?month=2024-07&date=2024-07-08
July 10, 2024, noon PDT
PBE: Power at Sea Prize APPLY! Webinar
This unique webinar marks the fourth of our webinar series Power at Sea: Ask, Explore, Innovate, Apply and offered competitors the opportunity to engage directly with our experts. Check back for more details.

Register here: https://nrel.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_NOLrDARnSdy0l1L05G98Pw#/registration
July 26, 2024, 2 p.m. PDT
Submission Deadline
July 29, 2024, 8 a.m. PDT
Judging
Sept. 5, 2024, 5 p.m. PDT
Judging Closed
Nov. 25, 2024, 10:45 a.m. PST
Winner Announcement for CONCEPT Phase
Winner Announcement
Nov. 25, 2024, 11 a.m. PST
Enter
DEVELOP Phase Open for submissions
Dec. 12, 2024, 1 p.m. PST
Power at Sea Prize DEVELOP Phase Kickoff Webinar
Join this kickoff webinar for the DEVELOP Phase to hear details about the final phase of the prize, information on the support to be provided for competitors, and strategies for developing a successful submission package.

Register here: https://nrel.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_gRYfUjxPRQmAhp04g_ZZtA#/registration
June 2, 2025, 2 p.m. PDT
Submission Deadline
DEVELOP Phase Submission Deadline
June 2, 2025, 11 p.m. PDT
Judging
July 2, 2025, 11 p.m. PDT
Judging Closed
July 5, 2025, 3:39 p.m. PDT
You are here
finish
Aug. 14, 2025, 11 p.m. PDT
Anticipated Winner Announcement for Develop Phase
Anticipated Winner Announcement - Subject to Change
Updates7

Challenge Updates

Power at Sea Prize Awards 20 CONCEPT Phase Winners

Nov. 25, 2024, 10:45 a.m. PST by NREL Challenges

Congratulations to the winners of the first phase of the Power at Sea Prize! The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) today announced 20 CONCEPT Phase winners, who were each awarded $10,000 in cash prizes and will now be eligible to compete in the second phase, DEVELOP. The winning submissions showcased a wide range of innovative concepts that leverage marine energy to power ocean-based activities. Read the full announcement from WPTO.

The winning teams are as follows (in alphabetical order):

  • AquaSync (Ann Arbor, MI)  
  • BlueBio&Beyond (Hoboken, NJ)  
  • Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering (San Luis Obispo, CA)  
  • Changzheng Huang (Irvine, CA)  
  • E-Wave Technologies (Hoboken, NJ)  
  • IMTAqua (Ithaca, NY)  
  • OceaniCal (Berkeley, CA)  
  • ODU Ocean Wave Energy (Norfolk, Virginia)  
  • OffshoreLink (Hoboken, NJ)  
  • Oscilla Power Inc. (Seattle, WA)  
  • Pittsburgh Coastal Energy (Pittsburgh, PA)  
  • Poseidon's Kite (Keswick, VA)  
  • SEAquestration Team (Ithaca, NY)  
  • Seatrec, Inc. (Vista, CA)
  • Sperra (Boulder, CO)  
  • Streaming Energy (Wendell, NC)  
  • Team Michigan Tech (Houghton, MI)  
  • Wave Water Works (Farmington Hills, MI)
  • WaveRiders (Calverton, MD)
  • Waverocker Energy (Montrose, CA)

The Power at Sea Prize CONCEPT Phase was one of WPTO’s most competitive challenges to date, and we appreciate the engagement and effort of all the teams who competed. We hope you will continue to advance your technologies and compete in future prizes from the American-Made program.  

Submission Deadline is this Friday, July 26, 2024, 3:00 p.m. MDT/ 5:00pm EDT!

July 22, 2024, 11 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Moderator

The deadline is fast approaching to apply for the PBE: Power at Sea Prize this Friday, July 26, 2024, 3:00 p.m. MDT/ 5:00pm EDT

 

Reminder for last minute questions and feedback: 

HeroX Forum

Post your question on the forum. The forum is monitored M-F from 9:00am-5:00pm MT.

 

Final Days for Office Hours and One-on-One's

OpenSeas, through the Power Connector Program, is providing open office hours to support teams participating in the challenge. Registration will be via the Calendly application identified below.

Schedule:

  • Tuesdays – 18 June through 23 July, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
  • Wednesdays – 26 June through 24 July, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET 
  • Register here through calendly. 

One-on-One’s

Multiple 30-minute availabilities for providing support to individual teams to answer questions and provide mentoring. Requestors may reserve appointments for fixed available slots via the Calendly app, or schedule other times by contacting lparks@odu.edu.

Fixed 30-Minute Availabilities:

  • Tuesdays – 25 June through 23 July, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm ET
  • Wednesdays – 26 June through 24 July, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Register here through calendly.

Open Scheduling

  • Check availability from 18 June through 23 July
  • Contact lparks@odu.edu

Good luck!

The Power at Sea Prize Team

Don't Forget to Apply!

July 9, 2024, 9:06 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Moderator (Amanda)

The deadline to apply for the PBE: Power at Sea Prize is: July 26, 2024, 3:00 p.m. MDT/ 5:00pm EDT

 

Questions? Join us for the: PBE: Power at Sea Prize APPLY! Webinar

We'll walk through the process to apply using HeroX and will answer questions live. Register here: https://nrel.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_NOLrDARnSdy0l1L05G98Pw#/registration

 

Can't make it? Post your general questions on the forum.

 

Looking for more personalized feedback on your submission? Schedule a one-on-one with OpenSeas or stop by an office hours:

Office hours

OpenSeas, through the Power Connector Program, is providing open office hours to support teams participating in the challenge. Registration will be via the Calendly application identified below.

Scheduled multiple times during June and July.

  • Tuesdays – 18 June through 23 July, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
  • Friday – 21 June, from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET
  • Wednesdays – 26 June through 24 July, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET 
  • Register here through calendly. 

One-on-One’s

Multiple 30-minute availabilities for providing support to individual teams to answer questions and provide mentoring. Requestors may reserve appointments for fixed available slots via the Calendly app, or schedule other times by contacting lparks@odu.edu.

Fixed 30-Minute Availabilities:

  • Thursday - 20 June, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm ET
  • Tuesdays – 25 June through 23 July, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm ET
  • Wednesdays – 26 June through 24 July, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Register here through calendly.

Open Scheduling

  • Check availability from 18 June through 23 July
  • Contact lparks@odu.edu

Register for Upcoming Webinars, View Past Recordings, & Sign-up for Time with OpenSeas

June 20, 2024, 3:36 p.m. PDT by Libby Arnold

Dear Power at Sea Prize Community, 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Power at Sea Prize “Ask!” and “Explore!” webinars. Your engagement and curiosity truly enriched the discussions. For those who missed the live sessions or wish to revisit key moments, we’re pleased to announce that the recordings are now available on our American-Made Challenges YouTube channel. Please click on the links above to access the recordings.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue our webinar series with two more dynamic sessions, designed to further your understanding and spark your innovative spirit in marine energy solutions:

Monday, June 24 at 2 p.m. ET (12 p.m. MT)

Join our experts from the Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office, Pacific Northwest National Lab, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory as we delve into an early-stage marine energy use case. This session will outline the specific challenges, the communities impacted, and the abundant opportunities available for new innovators. We aim to build a robust community of innovators that is welcoming to individuals new to marine energy. Don’t miss this chance to bring your ideas to life and compete in the first phase of the prize, CONCEPT, for a part of the $200,000 cash prize. 

Click here to register for the Innovate! webinar.

Tuesday, June 25, at 12.30 p.m. ET (10:30 a.m. MT)

Friday, June 28, at 4 p.m. ET (2 p.m. MT)

Taking an innovative idea to a successfully sustained enterprise that delivers its value to the world requires two major components that proceed in parallel – the development of technology, and the development of the business opportunity. This webinar will discuss the commercialization process – and how to increase the probability of your success beyond the Power at Sea Challenge.

Register here through Calendly.

Finally, do you need mentorship with your CONCEPT Phase submission? Then sign up for a (free!) individual team consultation, or join the open office hours provided by our prize Power Connector: OpenSeas. Their organization is here to provide invaluable support to all the teams participating in the challenge. Click here to see specific times available.

Don’t wait! Register now to secure your spot in the Power At Sea Prize: Innovate! webinar, OpenSeas Webinar: From Idea to Implementation. Be sure to sign up for consulting time with OpenSeas, so that your team can make the most of these opportunities to enhance your submissions.

Looking forward to connecting soon,

The Power at Sea Prize Administrative Team

Celebrate Earth Day by Joining the Power at Sea Prize: Explore Webinar!

April 18, 2024, 1 p.m. PDT by Libby Arnold

Celebrate Earth Day by joining the Power at Sea Prize: Explore webinar, on April 22, at 2 p.m. ET. This enlightening session will introduce the crucial role you can play in advancing solutions for marine renewable energy. We’ll cover the various types, practical applications, and the challenges facing the field. We’ll also review the basic details of the Power at Sea Prize, including its structure, cash prizes, and important submission reminders. 

Whether you’re a stakeholder in marine technologies, a researcher, or simply curious about marine renewable energy, this webinar will equip you with essential information and an opportunity to engage with experts from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Don’t miss out on this informative event! Click here to register. 

Forum24
Teams1.1K
Entries
Resources
FAQ
Webinars, Recordings, & OpenSeas Office Hours