After a successful Round 1, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity (OE) is excited to announce Round 2 of the Energy Storage Innovations Prize is now open for submissions. This single-phase, $300,000 competition aims to gain insights on innovative, emerging, and next-generation energy storage solutions that address niche markets and inform the DOE’s strategy on transformative storage technologies to accelerate grid modernization for all consumers, while achieving needed reliability, affordability, resilience, and energy security.
This competition places a focus on less conventional use cases (e.g., remote communities, extreme operating conditions) and innovative (less mature) energy storage technology solutions, across all duration scales, to advance the market landscape.
Submissions will be judged on how innovative the use case and solution are, the strength of the plan, and other unique benefits.
Prizes
Up to five Storage Innovations Champions will receive a $50,000 cash prize each and up to five Storage Innovations Finalists will receive a $10,000 cash prize each.
Competitor Eligibility & Guidelines
The competition is open to individuals; academia, non-federal government entities, small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and other inventors who are working on nascent or emerging energy storage innovations that address less conventional use cases (e.g., serving communities in remote environments, extreme operating conditions) all subject to the full requirements in the Official Rules.
Past competitors of the Energy Storage Innovations Prize Round 1 are encouraged to reapply with updated submission materials; however, teams who wonany phase of Round 1 are discouraged from submitting the same or similar idea to this round or any future round of the prize.
Please review the Official Rules for the complete submission process and instructions for participating in this prize.
Solutions of Interest
The Prize places a focus on less conventional use cases (e.g., remote and/or electrically-vulnerable communities, extreme climates) and innovative (less mature) energy storage technology solutions, across all duration scales, to advance the market landscape. DOE is not providing a list of “less conventional use cases” that are eligible for this prize. The prize submission must demonstrate that the use case is less conventional and clearly differentiate how the innovative technology solution solves a problem for a market, community, sector, or other group that is significantly different from conventional applications of that technology.
The energy storage technologies eligible for consideration in a solution are not limited but must discharge electricity. Below are examples of eligible energy storage technologies. However, other technologies beyond those listed are of interest to DOE.
Type
Technology
Other
Other technologies beyond those listed below are of interest
Join the American-Made team at DTECH 2026 in sunny San Diego, CA, February 2–5!
We’re excited to announce that the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Electricity (OE) will be hosting a booth where past and future prize competitors can network and learn more about multiple new prizes, as well as other impactful funding opportunities and activities from OE. Plus, conference attendees can join us at several Knowledge Hub sessions to hear from past winners and prize administrators on the benefits of competing in prizes.
As part of our commitment to engaging the community and advancing innovation, we are offering 50 expo-only tickets to potential participants who are interested in attending. These tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss your chance to connect with us and learn more about how you can get involved.
Have you started your submission for Round 2 of the Energy Storage Innovations Prize? Don’t forget, all materials are due March 13 by 5 p.m. ET. The prize administrators highly recommend submitting all materials well ahead of the deadline to avoid any unexpected delays or technical difficulties. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Take advantage of these helpful resources as you prepare your submission:
Get support from a Power Connector! ADL Ventures is an American-Made Power Connector supporting competitors in Energy Storage Innovations Round 2. For free one-on-one submission support, mentorship, and/or prize questions, please feel free to reach out directly to Suruchi Bhogayata at suruchi@adlventures.com.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Energy Storage Innovations Prize Round 2. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been 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. We appreciate your flexibility and patience during this process.
Prize Administrators are pleased to inform you that, after DOE's review, the Energy Storage Innovations Prize Round 2 will be reopening with a modified timeline and updated Rules and templates. Please follow the HeroX prize page timeline and resources for challenge updates.
The Energy Storage Innovations Prize Round 2 Informational Webinar recording and slides are now available in the Resources tab on HeroX!
Watch the webinar recording to learn more about:
Prize goals
Eligibility
Official prize rules
Submission requirements
And more.
Plus, hear questions from your fellow competitors and the answers given from prize administrators during the live Q&A.
A key takeaway from the webinar is to follow the prize on HeroX by pressing the Follow button in the top right corner. This way, you’ll receive important notifications, such as how to network with and receive helpful application support from prize Power Connectors once they become available.
In addition, remember to read the official rules to learn everything you need to know about the second round of the Energy Storage Innovations Prize! If you have any lingering questions, please reach out to energystorageinnovationsprize@nrel.gov.
Don’t forget, the submission deadline is April 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. We look forward to seeing less conventional use cases and innovative energy storage solutions in your submission!
Anyone interested in competing in the Energy Storage Innovations Prize Round 2 is encouraged to attend an informational webinar on Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. ET!
Reserve your spot to hear about prize eligibility, submission requirements, and key dates for this $300,000 prize.
By participating in this one-phase competition, you’ll propose next-generation energy storage solutions that address niche markets. This will help inform the U.S. Department of Energy’s strategy on transformative storage technologies to accelerate grid modernization for all consumers.
Participating in the webinar is the next step to learn more about the prize!
Register now for the informational webinar and bring your questions on Dec. 12.
