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WPTO is excited to unveil a new look to Water Wire, which will continue to feature the latest water power funding opportunities, news, and upcoming events. Enjoy reading!
Reach out to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE's) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) at WaterPowerTechnologiesOffice@ee.doe.gov with any inquiries or suggestions. Follow the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE's) Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn channels for daily news, announcements, and water power content.
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Upcoming Deadlines
Nov. 26, 2024, is the deadline to submit applications for 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. 12, 2024, is the deadline to submit concept papers to the Fiscal Year 2025 Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) Base Core Laboratory Infrastructure for Market Readiness (CLIMR) Lab Call.
Dec. 13, 2024, is the deadline for nonprofit science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) organizations to apply to the Clean Energy Careers for All program.
Jan. 7, 2025, is the deadline to submit letters of intent to the latest round of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Jan. 9, 2025, is the deadline to submit applications to the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program.
Jan. 13, 2025, is the deadline for submissions to the Explore Phase in the faculty track of the EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP).
Jan. 29, 2025, is the deadline to submit applications for the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
Jan. 30, 2025, is the deadline to submit a full application to WPTO’s Oceans of Opportunity funding opportunity.
Feb. 3, 2025, is the deadline for submissions to the Explore Phase in the student track of EnergyTech UP.
Feb. 27, 2025, is the deadline to submit concept papers to the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas–FY 2025 Release funding opportunity from DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED).
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.
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Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities |
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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 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.
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DOE's Office of Technology Transitions seeks applications for the FY 2025 TCF Base CLIMR Lab Call. This initiative is designed to boost America’s energy competitiveness by facilitating the transition of critical technologies for use in the private sector. The deadline to submit concept papers is 3 p.m. ET on Dec. 12, 2024.
The Clean Energy Careers for All program will award nearly $3 million to nonprofit STEM organizations in support of their workforce development initiatives targeting K–12 and university students, alumni and academic professionals, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Apply by 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 13, 2024.
The latest round of the SBIR and STTR programs features nine water power topics. The funding opportunity is expected to be released on Dec. 16, 2024, and letters of intent are due by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 7, 2025. Learn more about these and other key dates on the Office of Science's website.
Where and how large-scale renewable energy and battery energy storage projects are sited is a complex process that involves many considerations and parties. DOE is seeking applications from organizations with expertise on key siting, planning, and permitting topics to provide technical assistance to State-Based Collaboratives under the R-STEP program. Applications for this program are due at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 9, 2025.
DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions is accepting submissions for EnergyTech UP, with $400,000 and $100,000 cash prizes available for students and faculty, respectively. Interdisciplinary student teams will be challenged to identify high-potential energy technologies and pitch their strategies for commercialization. Faculty will develop and implement educational activities that engage students on energy technology commercialization and entrepreneurship topics at their institutions. Submissions for the Explore Phase of the faculty track are due Jan. 13, 2025, and those for the Explore Phase of the student track are due Feb. 3, 2025.
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OCED opened a $400 million opportunity that will spur innovative, community-focused, clean energy solutions for rural and remote communities across the United States. This funding will help rural and remote communities demonstrate replicable projects, ultimately encouraging and helping to lower energy costs, support local economic development, and enhance energy resiliency. Concept papers are due Feb. 27, 2025.
DOE's Grid Deployment Office announced that 39 hydropower facilities will receive more than $12 million in incentive payments for electricity generated and sold in calendar year 2023. This funding will help ensure hydroelectric generators continue to provide clean, affordable electricity.
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DOE and the U.S. Department of the Interior announced 14 projects totaling nearly $17 million to further support durable and environmentally responsible U.S. marine energy and offshore wind energy deployments. Several projects advance efforts to inform the designs of mooring systems that keep marine energy devices and offshore wind energy platforms in position.
WPTO announced more than $33 million in projects to advance hydropower and marine energy. These selections include more than $8.6 million for 13 hydropower technical assistance projects through the HydroWIRES Initiative and nearly $25 million for 25 hydropower and marine energy research and development projects at six DOE national laboratories.
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Upcoming WPTO and National Lab Events |
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Dec. 4, 2024, 1–2 p.m. ET
Join WPTO to learn more about the water-power-focused topics in the latest round of the SBIR and STTR programs. Questions may be submitted prior to the webinar to WaterPowerTechnologiesOffice@ee.doe.gov.
Dec. 5, 2024, 1–2 p.m. ET
Learn about the Energy Flexibility-Environment Trade-Off Tool, a practical software toolkit designed to evaluate the trade-offs between hydropower energy production and environmental outcomes. This tool links hydropower flow decisions to both power system metrics and ecological impacts, enabling users to simultaneously assess how operational changes affect fish habitats and generation revenues. The tool offers functions such as:
- Comprehensive Analysis: Links hydropower flow decisions to both power system metrics and ecological impacts
- Impact Assessment: Enables users to assess how operational changes affect fish habitats and generation revenues
- Advanced Modeling: Incorporates flow velocity and depth preference data for fish, allowing for detailed environmental flow analysis
- Decision Support: Aids in informed decision-making within hydropower regulatory processes.
Dec. 5, 2024, 2–3 p.m. ET
Join researchers from Idaho National Laboratory to learn about the technical resource potential at federally controlled reservoirs and the associated regulatory pathways for obtaining floating photovoltaic project approval.
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 about key prize details, important dates, submission materials, and more. The webinar will conclude with a live Q&A.
Dec. 17, 2024, 2–3 p.m. ET
The Drinking Water System Outage Cost Estimator is a free Microsoft-Excel-based tool designed to quickly calculate ballpark estimates of the costs of water system interruptions to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as internal water system costs associated with an outage. These cost estimates can be used for a variety of purposes and may be of interest to potable water system owners and operators, as well as consultants that support water power systems. This webinar will demonstrate the tool's use and its outputs and give participants an opportunity to ask questions.
Jan. 27–31, 2025 (Hydropower Program)
Feb. 10–14, 2025 (Marine Energy Program)
Registration is now open for WPTO’s 2025 Peer Review, which will be conducted virtually. The purpose of peer review is to evaluate WPTO programs based on their contributions to the office’s mission and goals, provide feedback on future direction, and assess the office’s overall management and performance.
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Publications of the Month |
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Growing up in a working-class family in Florida, Matthew Grosso was inspired by Abraham Lincoln's legacy and decided to pursue public service. Grosso, who recently became WPTO director, is excited to lead the office as it works to advance hydropower and marine energy technologies.
In celebration of National STEM Day on November 8, WPTO recognized the innovative and impactful work of six national laboratories that have used funding from WPTO to develop community-centered programs focused on STEM outreach for learners of all ages. From hands-on activities and interactive games to exchanging oral traditions and formal mentoring, these laboratories worked with schools, museums, and Tribal nations to lower structural hurdles and find meaningful ways to engage their local communities in STEM pathways and water power careers.
WPTO staff continued to hit the road and made vital connections across the hydropower and marine energy industries this year. The latest installment of the "On the Road With WPTO" series shares how staff participated in conferences, spoke on panels, and shared their water power expertise to engage with stakeholders across the clean energy industry.
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Making a Splash in the News |
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U.S., German Governments Award Grants for 3D-Printed Subsea Pumped Hydro Energy Storage
—Energy Storage News, Andy Colthorpe, Nov. 1, 2024
Scientists Create Revolutionary Tool To Help Power Over 20 Million Homes: 'Developers Can Spend More of Their Time Building Better Devices'
—The Cool Down, Jeremiah Budin, Oct. 29, 2024
DOE Awards $12 Million to Expand Marine Energy Initiatives at Lehigh and Partner Universities
—EurekAlert, Staff Writer, Oct. 28, 2024
How the U.S. Energy Department Reorganized to Champion Clean Energy
—TIME, Justin Worland, Oct. 25, 2024
We Want Moor! New DOE Funds Aim To Improve Marine Energy Moorings
—Hydro Review, Sean Wolfe, Oct. 24, 2024
U.S. Department of Energy Finalizes $81 Million Award for Lewis Ridge Long-Duration Energy Storage Project
—North American Clean Energy, Staff Writer, Oct. 22, 2024
Hydro Hybrids: Can Utility-Scale Batteries Improve Hydro Plant Efficiency?
—Hydro Review, Sean Wolfe, Oct. 21, 2024
Increasing the Efficiency of Hydropower Plants With Utility-Scale Batteries
—Idaho National Laboratory, Brandon Hallmark, Oct. 21, 2024
U.S. Research Program Opens Applications for 15th Call for Marine Energy Projects
—Offshore Energy, Zerina Maksumic, Oct. 23, 2024
First Tidal Turbine in the Pacific Northwest Signals Wave of the Future
—Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Alexandra Freibott, Oct. 1, 2024
New Report Provides Update on Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy
—Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Akhila Sriram, Sept. 17, 2024
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