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Did You Know?
WPTO and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) offer a hydropower technical collaboration opportunity for industry partners interested in developing innovative hydropower technologies using advanced materials and manufacturing. Interested applicants should visit the ORNL website for more details and instructions on how to submit a concept abstract.
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Today! Oct. 9, 2024, is the deadline to apply to the National Science Foundation's Engineering Research Initiation, which includes marine energy and hydropower topic areas.
Oct. 16, 2024, is the deadline to submit concept papers for the $100 million funding opportunity from DOE's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) to support non-lithium, long-duration energy storage pilot projects.
Oct. 18, 2024, is the deadline to submit proposals for the Ocean Energy Safety Institute's Request for Proposals II, which seeks projects from the marine energy sector.
Oct. 23, 2024, is the deadline to submit full applications for the Water Power Innovation Network funding opportunity.
Oct. 25, 2024, is the deadline to submit a concept paper for the Oceans of Opportunity funding opportunity.
Oct. 30, 2024, is the deadline for hydropower technology developers to apply to receive testing support from the Hydropower Testing Network (HyTN).
Nov. 14, 2024, is the deadline for utilities and grid operators to apply for technical assistance through the Key Assist pathway in the Utility and Grid Operator Technical Assistance program.
Dec. 6, 2024, is the deadline to submit applications for the Marine Energy Fellowship program for those interested in beginning their fellowships in summer 2025.
Dec. 13, 2024, is the deadline for non-profit science, technology, engineering, and math organizations to apply to the Clean Energy Careers for All program.
Jan. 13, 2025, is the deadline to submit applications for the faculty track of the Office of Technology Transitions' EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP).
Rolling: Concept abstracts are being reviewed on a rolling basis for the technical collaboration opportunity focused on developing innovative hydropower technologies using advanced materials and manufacturing.
Rolling: Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis for utilities and grid operators to receive up to 100 hours of subject-matter expertise through the Utility and Grid Operator Technical Assistance program.
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FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES
WPTO announced up to $112.5 million in funding for its largest ever investment in marine energy. This five-year investment will significantly accelerate the design, fabrication, and testing of multiple wave energy converters. It will help identify and mature high-potential technologies, reduce financial risks for developers and incentivize investors, progress technologies at smaller scales while developing toward utility scale, and increase learning for installation, operations, and maintenance. Join an informational webinar at 11 a.m. ET today, Oct. 9, 2024. Concept papers are due by 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 25, 2024.
WPTO invites hydropower technology developers to apply to receive testing support through HyTN. HyTN's 18 test facilities currently offer more than 40 capabilities, ranging from hydraulic testing to biological and aquatic testing. For-profit companies, nonprofit research organizations, and academic institutions developing hydropower technologies can apply for support. Selected developers will be matched with one of their preferred test facilities. Applications are due by 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 30, 2024.
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The Marine Energy Fellowship program connects participants with leading scientists and researchers and allows them to gain insight into marine energy career and research opportunities. The program now features a two-track structure: one for graduate students working on marine energy-focused research theses or dissertations and a new post-graduate track for recent graduates focused on advancing their careers in marine energy. Applicants who would like to begin their fellowship in summer 2025 must submit their applications by 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 6, 2024, and applicants who prefer to start in fall 2025 must submit their applications by 5 p.m. ET on March 7, 2025.
OCED opened an opportunity for up to $100 million in funding to support pilot-scale energy storage demonstration projects. The funding will focus on non-lithium technologies, long-duration systems, and stationary storage applications. OCED aims to use this funding to move energy storage technologies closer to commercial viability and utility-scale deployment. Concept papers are due by 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 16, 2024.
DOE has three new, no-cost technical assistance opportunities available to utilities and grid operators.
- Key Assist provides between $500,000 and $1 million worth of support over two years at no cost to the applicant. Applications are due by Nov. 14, 2024.
- Rolling technical assistance provides up to 100 hours of subject-matter expertise from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and other DOE national labs. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
- Electric utility engineers, planners, operators, and leadership can connect with resources and insights, as well as experts and cutting-edge research, through NREL's Utility Planning Resources for Energy Transition webinar series.
NREL will host an informational webinar on these opportunities at 12:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 10, 2024.
The Clean Energy Careers for All program will award nearly $3 million to non-profit science, technology, engineering, and math organizations in support of their workforce development initiatives targeting K–12 and university students, alumni and academic professionals, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Register for the informational webinar on Oct. 16, 2024, and apply for the program by 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 13, 2024.
DOE welcomed 25 new coastal, remote, and island communities to the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) as this technical assistance program's fourth cohort. These types of geographically isolated communities face unique energy challenges, including issues with accessing reliable and affordable power and increasing energy resilience. ETIPP helps communities assess and advance clean energy solutions that best meet their needs with support from experts at DOE's national labs and a network of regional partner organizations.
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TODAY! Oct. 9, 2024, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. ET
Join WPTO as it hosts an informational webinar on the Oceans of Opportunity funding opportunity. Speakers will discuss the funding opportunity and areas of focus. This webinar will be recorded.
EnergyTech UP Informational Webinars
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Oct. 24, 2024, 1–2 p.m. ET: This prize introduction webinar will familiarize students and faculty with the 2025 EnergyTech UP. Registrants will learn more about key prize details, important dates, submission materials, and more. The webinar will conclude with a live Q&A.
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Dec. 10, 2024, 1–2 p.m. ET: This track details webinar will cover important information for the 2025 round of EnergyTech UP. Students and faculty alike will learn more about key prize details, important dates, submission materials, and more. The webinar will conclude with a live Q&A.
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Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Floating Photovoltaic and Hydropower Webinar Series
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Nov. 6, 2024, 2–3 p.m. ET: During this session, the INL team will explore different optimization strategies that benefit the operation of hydropower plants for increased revenue, complementary energy generation, and flexibility.
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Dec. 5, 2024, 2–3 p.m. ET: Join INL to learn about the technical resource potential at federally controlled reservoirs and the associated regulatory pathways for obtaining floating photovoltaic project approval.
- Jan. 27–31, 2025 (Hydropower Program)
- Feb. 10–14, 2025 (Marine Energy Program)
Registration will open in the fall for WPTO's 2025 Peer Review. The purpose of peer review is to evaluate WPTO-funded projects based on their contributions to the office’s mission and goals, track progress against stated objectives, and assess the office's overall management and performance.
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HAPPENING NOW! Oct. 7–10, 2024, Portland, Oregon
See WPTO and DOE national laboratory staff at Clean Currents 2024! This conference brings together professionals from across the hydropower and marine energy industries. It facilitates collaboration, encourages innovation, and highlights advancements in the water power sector. Find WPTO at booth 1143.
The future of hydropower and marine energy is dependent on the availability of a skilled workforce. To help develop this workforce, WPTO established the Hydropower and Marine Energy Collegiate Competitions, and as part of these competitions, student-led teams foster connections in their local communities. Hear from the winners of the Community Connections Challenge from the 2024 competitions and learn about their projects.
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Like most typical kids, Charles Scaife liked to play outside. But his "outside" was anything but typical. Scaife was part of a military family that moved from Florida (their original homebase) to several southern U.S. cities and towns before heading north to the Dakotas and Alaska and, eventually, ocean-hopping to Japan and Germany. Now, Scaife is a technology manager and scientist at WPTO, overseeing the hydrologic system science portfolio, which supports research on how the shifting climate might impact U.S. water supplies and how those shifting supplies might impact energy, specifically hydropower.
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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MAKING A SPLASH IN THE NEWS
Demonstration to Convert Kentucky Coal Mine to Pumped Hydro Secures Federal Funding
—POWER Magazine, Sonal Patel, Sept. 26, 2024
US to Propel Safety, Tech, and Risk Mitigation to New Highs, as OESI Rolls out $16M Research Fund Across Offshore Marine, Wind, and Oil & Gas Arenas
—Offshore Energy, Zerina Maksumic, Sept. 24, 2024
Climate Solutions: 2 Kinds of Ocean Energy Inch Forward Off The Oregon Coast
—The Associated Press, Claire Rush and Jennifer McDermott, Sept. 24, 2024
Marine Energy Technology Development Risk Management Framework
—NREL, David Snowberg, Ritu Treisa Philip, and Jochem Weber, Sept. 23, 2024
Study Identifies 5 Key Gaps in the Hydropower Supply Chain — & Ways To Address Them
—CleanTechnica, Staff Writer, Sept. 23, 2024
Resilience – US Department of Energy Places Hybrid Research Vessel Into Service
—Baird Maritime, Staff Writer, Sept. 23, 2024
US-Backed Program Opens Doors to New Technical Support Applications for Marine Energy Testing and Development Projects
—Offshore Energy, Zerina Maksumic, Sept. 23, 2024
US Rolls Out Largest Wave Power Fund in its History to Step Up the Ocean Energy Game
—Offshore Energy, Zerina Maksumic, Sept. 20, 2024
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