Beyond the Meter: Energy Storage Integration Prize

The Beyond the Meter: Energy Storage Integration Prize is a two-phase competition funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity and will foster the development of next-generation energy- storage-enabled solutions, paving the way for an efficient and affordable energy future. The prize offers a total prize pool of $3,400,000 in cash prizes and $800,000 in vouchers to be used at a DOE national laboratory across two phases with two separate tracks. 

Behind-the-meter (BTM) storage is a powerful mechanism to lower energy costs for electricity consumers, delivering documented annual savings for households, reducing demand charges for commercial entities, and improving net present value for system owners. Realizing this potential, however, necessitates addressing existing interoperability challenges to ensure grid-wide coordination and efficient value stacking of BTM resources. BTM storage has the potential to unlock significant value for the grid and individual customers, especially when working in concert with other consumer-focused energy resources.  

The high cost and engineering complexity of integrating and coordinating consumer-focused energy resources designed by different entities can result in missed opportunities to co-optimally operate these assets and maximize their potential benefits.  

This prize will highlight innovative solutions that enhance affordability through integration and interoperability of BTM grid-edge technology and other grid-edge resources. By strategically deploying energy storage on consumers’ premises, the management of BTM assets can be optimized, facilitating the transition to a more reliable and affordable energy future. 

This prize includes two distinct tracks—one focused on residential solutions and the other focused on commercial and industrial solutions: 

• Residential Solution Track 
• Commercial/Industrial Solution Track.

For both tracks, this competition encourages companies to form coalitions to demonstrate products and strategic plans for integrating and managing BTM grid-edge technologies alongside BTM ESS while reducing transaction costs. DOE is seeking solutions that are fully-integrated BTM before connecting or interacting with the grid-edge technologies.  

Submissions for the Residential Solution Track should highlight technologies that are intended for residential use (e.g., single-family homes, multifamily housing, apartments). Submissions for the Commercial/Industrial Solution Track should highlight technologies that are designed for larger-scale applications (e.g., commercial buildings, industrial facilities, warehouses, manufacturing plants, office complexes). 

The Beyond the Meter Prize offers a total prize pool of $3,400,000 in cash prizes and $800,000 in vouchers to be used at a DOE national laboratory across two phases with two separate tracks.

Phase 1 - Introduction

Teams introduce their organization, present their products, and outline their strategic plans for further product development and collaboration with grid-edge technology vendors. Teams should work to identify other groups and vendors they can team with to create a coalition in Phase 2, where they can develop an interoperable product capable of seamless integration and effective management of BTM grid-edge technologies.

Up to three winning teams from each track—the Residential Solution Track and the Commercial/Industrial Solution Track—will receive up to $250,000 each in cash. Winning teams will receive $50,000 each after the announcement of Phase 1 winners and $200,000each after successfully attending and participating in the OE Energy Storage Peer Review in summer 2026. 

Phase 1 winners are also eligible to each receive a $100,000 voucher to redeem at a single DOE national laboratory at the conclusion of Phase 2 after submitting a Phase 2 HeroX submission and attending and participating in the OE Energy Storage Peer Review in summer 2027. A national laboratory voucher is a funding mechanism that allows teams to collaborate with DOE national laboratories to access specialized expertise, facilities, and technologies for advancing research, development, and innovation.

*Phase 1 winners are eligible to receive a $100,000 voucher if they submit a Phase 2 HeroX submission and attend and participate in the OE Energy Storage Peer Review in summer 2027. 

Phase 2 – Progress

Phase 1 winning teams will build on the foundation set in the first phase. Phase 2 requires teams to highlight significant progress in both their product development and collaboration efforts. Teams will be given sufficient time to refine their solutions, with the expectation that they will have formed a coalition to present a commercially ready product capable of seamless integration and effective management of BTM grid-edge technologies. 

In summer 2027, teams must provide evidence of advancements of their product and its interoperability at the 2027 OE Energy Storage Peer Review, where judging will take place. At this event, up to one winner from each track will be awarded $950,000, making attendance at the 2027 OE Energy Storage Peer Review a requirement for winning. The Phase 2 winner will also be awarded an additional $100,000 voucher to redeem at a single DOE national laboratory at the conclusion of Phase 2.

Please review the Official Rules document for the complete application process and instructions for competing. 

If you want to receive updates on the prize or have any questions, please subscribe by using the follow feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at . 

Who Can Participate?  

This prize is best suited for companies and coalitions already working on behind the meter grid-edge technology solutions. For full eligibility requirements, read the Official Rules document.