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
Electrochemical
Redox flow
Lead-acid
Sodium ion
Zinc ion
Li-metal
Na-metal
Other metals (e.g., Mg, Al)
Reversible fuel cells
Supercapacitors
Lithium-ion
Electromechanical
Liquid air energy storage
Flywheels
Geomechanical
Pumped storage hydropower
Compressed-air energy storage
Gravitational
Thermal
Phase change
Low-temperature storage
High-temperature sensible heat
Thermal-photovoltaic
Chemical
Chemical carriers (e.g., ammonia)
Hydrogen
Flexible buildings
Thermostatically controlled loads
Building mass
Ice and chilled water
Organic phase change material
Salt hydrate
Thermochemical
Desiccant
Flexible generation
Front-of-the-meter flexibility and hybrids
Behind-the-meter hybrids
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.
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.
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.
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:
Hit the Follow button in the top right corner of this prize page to stay in-the-know about this prize and upcoming deadlines.
Register for the informational webinar taking place on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 12 p.m. ET.
Read the official rules to learn more about the prize.
