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Did You Know?
The Pioneer Array, part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative, provides publicly accessible, real-time ocean data via satellite. Watch this short video in English or Spanish to learn how researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are working with the Pioneer Array team to explore how to power it with wave energy.
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The deadline to submit preapplications for the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is TODAY, Jan. 17, 2024.
The deadline to submit responses to the Clean Energy Careers for All Program Request for Information (RFI) is Jan. 26, 2024.
The deadline to submit concept papers for the Strategies to Increase Hydropower Flexibility funding opportunity is Feb. 1, 2024. (Updated deadline!)
The deadline for students to register for the EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP) is Feb. 1, 2024.
The deadline for students to apply to use Kestrel, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) high-performance computing system, to support their clean energy research is Feb. 12, 2024.
The deadline to submit concept papers for the Marine Energy University Foundational R&D funding opportunity is Feb. 20, 2024.
The deadline to submit applications for the Installation Noise Reduction and Reliable Moorings for Offshore Wind and Marine Energy funding opportunity is Feb. 29, 2024.
The deadline to apply to the Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research (TEAMER) program’s Request for Technical Support (RFTS) 12 is March 1, 2024.
The deadline to submit concepts to Phase II of the Innovating Distributed Embedded Energy Prize (InDEEP) is May 7, 2024.
The deadline for submissions to the Powering the Blue Economy™: Power at Sea Prize is July 26, 2024.
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FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES
WPTO and the Wind Energy Technologies Office released a $14.5 million funding opportunity to support foundational research at domestic institutions of higher education, including minority-serving institutions, to address challenges facing marine and ocean renewable energy industries and spur innovation and development. This opportunity will provide funding for foundational research and development activities to advance marine energy and offshore wind technologies with the goal of more widely deploying renewable energy sources. Concept papers are due by 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 20, 2024.
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EPSCoR supports early-stage research across a wide range of DOE program areas. By fostering foundational research, increasing human and technical resources, and promoting collaboration between DOE and national laboratories, EPSCoR seeks to strengthen the network of energy-related research across the nation. Preapplications for awards up to $1 million are due by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 17, 2024.
DOE released an RFI on its efforts to address the need for a diverse American energy workforce by leveraging organizations that are uniquely qualified to reach underrepresented communities. This RFI is looking for public feedback related to educational and professional development programming developed by nonprofit organizations that inspire students, alumni, and professionals to pursue STEM-related careers in clean energy. Responses to this RFI must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 26, 2024.
WPTO is accepting concept papers for a $9.5 million funding opportunity that aims to strengthen hydropower's ability to support an electric grid with an increasing amount of variable renewable energy resources. WPTO anticipates making between four and seven awards under this opportunity, and individual awards may vary between $750,000 and $4 million. Applicants must submit a concept paper by 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 1, 2024.
The American-Made EnergyTech UP, sponsored by DOE's Office of Technology Transitions, challenges student teams to identify a promising energy technology, assess its market potential, and create a business plan for commercialization. More than $400,000 in cash prizes are available in this collegiate competition, which challenges student teams to develop and present a business plan that leverages national laboratory-developed or other emerging energy technologies. WPTO is sponsoring a $25,000 bonus prize to students presenting business plans related to powering the blue economy. The deadline for students to register is Feb. 1, 2024.
The TEAMER program announced the selection of ten projects through RFTS 11, reflecting a total funding amount of nearly $1.3 million. The program will support the selected projects in testing expertise and access to numerical modeling, laboratory or bench testing, tank/flume testing, and expertise within the growing TEAMER Facility Network. Selected applicants, along with their supporting facility, must now submit their completed test plans before receiving assistance activities. Applications for RFTS 12 are currently being accepted through March 1, 2024.
Phase II of InDEEP is now open and welcomes both new and returning competitors to participate. InDEEP challenges competitors to develop novel distributed embedded energy converter technology (DEEC-Tec) concepts to harness and convert the power of ocean waves into usable types of energy. In Phase II, competitors will build and test a single energy converter designed to be part of a larger DEEC-Tec. InDEEP welcomes applications from within and beyond the wave energy industry. Diverse, multidisciplinary teams are encouraged to apply to help solve some of the early-stage research challenges in the clean energy transition. Concepts for Phase II are due by May 7, 2024.
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WPTO launched the Powering the Blue Economy: Power at Sea Prize, which will award up to $1.7 million to competitors to advance marine energy technologies for offshore applications, such as ocean-observing devices and aquaculture installations. Competitors are challenged to develop innovative concepts that address integration challenges specific to the blue economy. The first phase of the competition is now open for submissions and will close on July 26, 2024.
In November 2023, DOE released the Phase I topics for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs in Fiscal Year 2024. The topics include pumped storage hydropower, the co-development of marine energy technologies, environmental monitoring technologies, and other water power areas of interest. The funding opportunity announcement is expected to be published soon. In the meantime, learn about recent water power innovations and advancements from three companies that previously received SBIR funding.
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INDEEP Phase II Webinars
Dive into Phase II of InDEEP with the prize team as they host a pair of webinars this month to prepare new and returning competitors for the upcoming concept submission deadline:
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Jan. 23, 2024, 4–5 p.m. ET
EnergyTech UP, sponsored by DOE's Office of Technology Transitions, is a collegiate competition challenging multidisciplinary teams to develop and present a business plan that leverages DOE national laboratory-developed and other high-potential energy technologies. Students are encouraged to join this recruitment webinar to get remaining questions answered about competing in EnergyTech UP 2023 ahead of the Feb. 1, 2024, student registration deadline. If you are unable to attend the webinar, please still register, as the recording and follow-up information will be sent to everyone who signs up for the webinar.
Jan. 24, 2024, 3–4 p.m. ET
Join WPTO representatives as they discuss the newly released marine and offshore renewable FOA. The team will provide in-depth information about the $14.5 million funding opportunity, aimed at supporting foundational research in domestic higher education institutions, including minority-serving institutions. The focus is on addressing challenges in the marine and ocean renewable energy industries, fostering innovation, and promoting development.
Jan. 31, 2024, 2–3 p.m. ET
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working with partners from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Low Impact Hydropower Institute to create a georeferenced dataset of fish passage infrastructure at U.S. hydropower facilities. During the webinar, the team will provide an overview of the project and stakeholder questionnaire as well as answer questions.
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Feb. 1 and 2, 2024, 9 a.m.– 3 p.m. CT, Tomas Rivera Conference Center, El Paso, Texas
Join PNNL's TORCH (Training, Outreach, and Recruitment for Cybersecurity in Hydropower) Project to recruit future hydropower cybersecurity professionals at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Spring Career Fair Feb. 1–2, 2024.
Booth sign up registration closes on Jan. 19; don’t miss your chance to recruit the next generation of hydro-cyber professionals as they enter the workforce.
Feb. 5–8, 2024, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, Virginia
DOE's Grid Modernization Initiative and the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response will host a summit focused on DOE-led efforts that modernize the future power grid and enable a more resilient, secure, and equitable energy transition. The summit will feature presentations from thought leaders and working sessions to encourage a dialogue about strategies for future energy systems through partnerships and technology transition.
The registration fee for this event is $250; registration details are available on the summit's website.
Feb. 7, 2024, 6–7:30 p.m. ET
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and NREL will host an informational marine energy career panel for students interested in working in the marine energy industry.
The panel will feature staff from various research disciplines who will discuss their careers, education, and current projects. Staff will answer questions from the audience and wrap up the event by discussing how students can look for positions within national laboratories.
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Feb. 15, 2024, 2:30–4 p.m. ET
What's coming down the road for WPTO? How is the office making decisions about research and development priorities? Join WPTO leaders and team members to learn about the office's strategic planning process and the Advanced Manufacturing and Materials for Hydropower Strategy (the first strategy to result from this process), as well as external collaborations that could guide next steps in the Marine Energy Program.
Jen Trimble was never sure what she wanted to be when she grew up. A nurse, a pediatrician, a psychologist—the possibilities were endless. But after leaving the Army and working a few different jobs, she landed as the operations manager for WPTO. From managing budget and logistics to hiring the next generation of water power professionals, Trimble is creating a space for everyone in water power.
Celebrating the notable research highlights from Fiscal Year 2023, NREL published its annual accomplishments report. NREL's water power research collaborations spanned multiple disciplines and technologies. This report offers a quick glimpse of some of NREL's Fiscal Year 2023 water power achievements and their impacts.
Looking to dive deeper into publications, reports, and other news in water power? Subscribe to WPTO’s program-level newsletters, Hydro Headlines and The Water Column, which provide content focused on hydropower and marine energy, respectively.
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