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Energy Storage Innovations Prize Round 2

Propose transformative energy storage solutions that address niche markets and inform the DOE’s strategy to accelerate grid modernization.
Energy, Environment & Resources Science Technology
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prize:
$300,000
Energy, Environment & Resources Science Technology
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Summary
Overview Competitor Eligibility & Guidelines Solutions of Interest

Overview

Summary

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 won any 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. 

TypeTechnology
OtherOther technologies beyond those listed below are of interest
ElectrochemicalRedox flow
Lead-acid
Sodium ion
Zinc ion
Li-metal
Na-metal
Other metals (e.g., Mg, Al)
Reversible fuel cells
Supercapacitors
Lithium-ion
ElectromechanicalLiquid air energy storage
Flywheels
Geomechanical
Pumped storage hydropower
Compressed-air energy storage
Gravitational
ThermalPhase change
Low-temperature storage
High-temperature sensible heat
Thermal-photovoltaic
ChemicalChemical carriers (e.g., ammonia)
Hydrogen
Flexible buildingsThermostatically controlled loads
Building mass
Ice and chilled water
Organic phase change material
Salt hydrate
Thermochemical
Desiccant
Flexible generationFront-of-the-meter flexibility and hybrids
Behind-the-meter hybrids

 

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Updates5

Challenge Updates

Prize Reopen for Submissions

Dec. 18, 2025, 10:01 a.m. PST by NLR Prize Administrator

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. 

  

If you have any questions about your existing application, please reach out to energystorageinnovationsprize@nrel.gov.  

Informational Webinar Recording and Deck Now Available

Dec. 16, 2024, 8:20 a.m. PST by NREL Prize Moderator

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!  

Informational Webinar Tomorrow!

Dec. 11, 2024, 5:26 a.m. PST by NREL Prize Moderator

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. 

Register for the Informational Webinar

Dec. 3, 2024, 6:24 a.m. PST by NREL Prize Moderator

Prize administrators are hosting an informational webinar on Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. ET for Round 2 of the Energy Storage Innovations Prize. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the prize and ask any questions you may have.  

In the informational webinar, administrators will go over: 

  • Eligibility  
  • Submission requirements 
  • Key dates 
  • Application process 
  • Cash prizes and winner participation in a U.S. Department of Energy video 

Start gathering your questions, register now, and mark your calendar! 

Don’t forget, if you’re not already following this prize on HeroX, make sure to click the Follow button in the top right corner to receive important prize updates.  

Open for Submissions: Energy Storage Innovations Prize Round 2

Nov. 25, 2024, 12:24 p.m. PST by NREL Prize Moderator

Round 2 of the $300,000 Energy Storage Innovations Prize is now open! 

This one-phase competition invites individuals, academics, non-federal government entities, small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and other inventors in the U.S. working on nascent or emerging energy storage innovations to submit their energy storage solutions that address less conventional use cases.  

Participation in this prize will lead to insights on innovative, emerging, and next-generation energy storage solutions that address niche markets and inform the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) strategy on transformative storage technologies. The aim of this prize is to accelerate grid modernization for all consumers, while achieving needed reliability, affordability, and energy security. 

 

 

Up to five Storage Innovations Champions will receive a $50,000 cash prize each and up to five additional Storage Innovations Finalists will receive a $10,000 cash prize each. They will also be highlighted in a DOE promotional video! 

If you’re interested in Round 2 of the Energy Storage Innovations Prize, here’s what next:  

  1. Hit the Follow button in the top right corner of this prize page to stay in-the-know about this prize and upcoming deadlines. 
  2. Register for the informational webinar taking place on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 12 p.m. ET.  
  3. Read the official rules to learn more about the prize. 

We hope to see you at the informational webinar! 

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