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Carbon Management Collegiate Competition

Funded by DOE's Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Office, this competition tasks students to propose a regional carbon transport network.

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Summary
Timeline
Updates14
Forum4
Teams172
Resources
FAQ
Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy's Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Office is launching the Carbon Management Collegiate Competition for Spring Semester 2023. Collegiate students will be tasked with proposing a regional carbon transport network, defining its business model, and optimizing the transport network across several parameters and with consideration to regional stakeholders, challenges, and cost variability.

Interdisciplinary teams are required to present a real-world example of work in multi-functional teams. Teams must be comprised of 3 or more undergraduate or graduate students and represent more than one major with preference towards majors or specializations in business, supply chain, geosciences, engineering, GIS, land management, law, computer science, and/or public policy. It is highly encouraged to have representation across two or more disciplines. Faculty participation is welcomed and optional, but the faculty participant does not take the place of a student in the 3-student requirement. 

This competition seeks a diverse range of participants with consideration to disadvantaged communities and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields to advance carbon management technologies and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission goals in a just and sustainable way. 


Please review the official rules  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 contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at CarbonComp@nrel.gov.

Timeline

Challenge Timeline

start
July 19, 2022, 9:48 a.m. PDT
Date Launched
Nov. 29, 2022, 8 a.m. PST
Informational Webinar
The Carbon Management Collegiate Competition informational webinar is on Tuesday, November 29 at 11 a.m. ET. We invite you to join us at this date and time to learn more about this upcoming competition. Register today: https://nrel.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_yFl2VS-xQZ24yEBLtySooA
Jan. 2, 2023, 8 a.m. PST
Enter
Anticipated
Feb. 28, 2023, 9 p.m. PST
Submission Deadline
Deadline for the REQUIRED Midway Check-In. To be eligible for the final submission, a team MUST complete this Midway Check-In. This Check-In is an opportunity to get feedback on your submission and prepare your Final Submission. The Midway Check-In asks one question from each parameter (~2 pages in total length).
March 1, 2023, 8 a.m. PST
Enter
From this point forward, only teams that completed the Midway Check-In are eligible to enter for the Final Submission.
March 23, 2023, 12:38 a.m. PDT
You are here
April 14, 2023, 9 a.m. PDT
Submission Deadline
Anticipated
April 17, 2023, 8 a.m. PDT
Judging
Anticipated
May 5, 2023, 8 a.m. PDT
Judging Closed
Anticipated
finish
June 1, 2023, 8 a.m. PDT
Prize Winner Announcement and Awards
Anticipated Winner announcement.
Updates14

Challenge Updates

Midway Check-In Feedback, and Reminders

March 20, 2023, 6:55 a.m. PDT by NREL Challenge

Hello Carbon Management Collegiate Competition teams! Below are a few important announcements and reminders:

  • All Midway Check-In feedback has been sent to Team Captains using the email addresses listed on your HeroX applications.
  • For any questions that were asked as part of the Midway Check-In, responses have been posted in the FAQ here on HeroX.
  • As you prepare your Final Submission (due April 14th!), if you are struggling with any parameters, please schedule time to chat with one or both of our Power Connectors - EFN and NHSSF. They are here to help!
  • Lastly, Team Captains please double check that your main HeroX page says "Solve This Challenge" or "Enter" under the competition title. Please let us know if you don't see an option to complete your final submission so that we can make sure everyone is set ahead of the April 14th deadline!

Good luck as we enter the final stages of the Carbon Management Collegiate Competition!

CMCC Team


Competition Reminders and Resources!

March 10, 2023, 9:45 a.m. PST by NREL Challenge

Thank you to the teams who completed the Midway Check-In submission! Per the Official Rules, these teams will be receiving their feedback and will be able to complete a Final Submission. Below are a few important reminders!

  • The deadline for the Final Submission is Friday, April 14th at 12pm EST
  • The Official Rules contain the specific points that should be addressed for each of the five parameters. Make sure to see how these parameters will be scored!
  • Our Power Connectors EFN and NHSSF are available to provide feedback and support!
  • The Resources section of HeroX contains a final submission template you can follow, as well as extremely helpful reference lists and data resources!

Please reach out to or make a forum post here with any questions or concerns!


Reminder! Required Midway Submission Due Tomorrow!

Feb. 27, 2023, 8:55 a.m. PST by NREL Challenge

Don't forget to submit your Mindway Check-In by tomorrow, February 28th at 5pm EST! A few reminders:

  • Even if your submission isn't as thorough or detailed as you'd like, please go ahead and submit in order to get feedback.
  • Navigate to the Resources section to find a template to guide your submission.
  • See the Updates below for a detailed Q&A about the Midway Check-In.

You can also feel free to contact with any questions or concerns. Good luck to our teams finishing up their Midway Check-In submissions!


Receive Support and Feedback from Entrepreneur Futures Network!

Feb. 20, 2023, 8:30 a.m. PST by NREL Challenge

With the required Midway Check-In submission's deadline approaching (Tuesday, Feb 28th), consider taking advantage of EFN's support for the Carbon Management Collegiate Competition, including weekly office hours beginning Wednesday, February 22nd and continuing throughout the remainder of the prize competition!


"To get your questions answered and receive expert advice from Entrepreneur Futures, sign up for weekly office hours beginning next Wednesday, February 22nd.  Register here for all upcoming office hours. Meet with EFN's Steve Messner to get the help you need."

 

Office hours are a low-pressure, low-risk way to get answers to your questions and feedback on your ideas! EFN is here to help any competitor free of charge. And if you are concerned about the Midway Check-In, make sure you read the quick FAQ update below for answers and reassurance!


Reminder: Complete the Midway Check-In by Feb. 28

Feb. 13, 2023, 8 a.m. PST by NREL Challenge

Don’t forget to complete your midway check-in by Tuesday, February 28! Although this check-in is mandatory, don’t be intimidated! This step will allow teams to receive feedback from prize administrators to improve your final submissions. Here is a friendly Q&A to help you prepare: 

Q: What is the midway check-in?

A: The midway check-in includes introductory questions from each parameter covered within the challenge. Teams must provide draft answers to each question to demonstrate their progress in the challenge. This is an opportunity for teams to receive feedback on their direction and progress to prepare their final submission.

Q: Is the midway check-in required?

A: Yes. Teams must submit a midway check-in to be eligible to submit a final submission on Friday, April 14. 

Q: Do teams need to be final to submit the midway check-in?

A: No, you can still add members to your team after submitting the midway check-in. Just remember that you must have at least three members to be eligible for the final submission. Visit the “Forum” tab for help finding or expanding your team. 

Q: Is the midway check-in scored? 

A: The midway check-ins will not be scored, but teams will receive feedback from prize administrators.

Q: What is covered in the midway check-in?

A: Teams are asked to answer one question from each parameter in the midway check-in: 

  1. Economics and Business Model
  2. Operational Safety Considerations
  3. Life Cycle Analysis
  4. Climate Change Projected Impacts
  5. Environmental Justice, Social Impacts, and Engagement

Visit the “Resources” tab for a template to help you prepare your midway check-in submission.

Q: Do I need to answer every question in the midway check-in?

A: Yes. Submit answers for each question, even if they aren’t final. You will receive feedback on your midway check-in submission to help you strengthen your answers for the final submission. 

Q: Where can I find background information to start my submission? 

A: The Carbon Management Collegiate Competition administrators have collected several resources to support teams as they gather information for their submissions. You can find these under the “Resources” tab, or in this earlier HeroX update

Q: When is the midway check-in due?

A: Submissions are due by 3 p.m. MST on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Pro tip: Don’t wait until the last minute! Early submissions are encouraged. 

Q: Where do I go to complete the midway check-in? 

A: You can access the midway check-in submission form by clicking “BEGIN ENTRY” on the main page. 

We look forward to learning about your bright ideas for sustainable carbon management!


Forum4
Teams172
Resources
FAQ