The Department of Energy (DOE) Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) is launching this prize in support of the Wind Energy Technology Recycling Research, Development, and Demonstration program.
Donor Name: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Prize
Deadline: 09/29/2023
Size of the Grant: $75,000
Details:
The prize is designed to incentivize application of material processing technologies of varying maturity levels to support recycling materials relevant to the wind energy industry. Teams will develop concepts into early-stage prototypes and develop a plan for a relevant scale demonstration.
Prize Goals
Developing robust, domestic recycling options for fiber-reinforced composites and rare earth elements can lessen the United States’ need to extract and process raw materials, which can, in turn, reduce damage to the environment. Additionally, recycling rare earth elements would safeguard domestic manufacturing by improving resilience to price volatility and supply chain disruption.
The Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize also seeks to help the United States:
- Adopt commercially mature recycling technologies from other industries and create synergistic collaborations.
- Develop recycling technologies and processes that have not yet been applied commercially in the United States.
- Enhance domestic energy security by reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign materials.
- Commercialize technologies that have the potential to create well-paying jobs and grow the domestic wind energy industry.
- Attract new talent and expertise to the wind energy industry and engage entities that have not previously worked with DOE.
Funding Information
The $5.1 million Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize has two phases that will run from 2023 to 2024.
- During the first phase, Initiate!, competitors will prepare a submission package that highlights a concept for wind material recycling focused on economic and environmental sustainability. Up to 20 winners will be selected to receive $75,000 in cash each and an invitation to compete in the second phase of the competition.
- In the second phase, Accelerate!, competitors will develop submissions based around prototype demonstrations of their technologies. In this phase, up to six teams will be selected to each receive a cash prize of $500,000 and vouchers to work with DOE national laboratories valued at $100,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals, teams of individuals, private entities (for-profits and nonprofits), nonfederal ((such as state, county, tribal, and municipality) government entities, and academic institutions are eligible to compete.
For more information, visit U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
