The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) administers several prizes designed to encourage and support innovation
that could help the water power industry grow and improve. Funded and hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), these competitions run throughout the year and tap into a diverse community of contributors who leverage prize money to craft and build solutions for targeted challenges.
Prizes empower a variety of innovators to tackle the challenges of climate change, incentivize rapid prototype development,
spur the transition to a sustainable and equitable clean energy economy, and propel the creation of new, energy-related jobs
and opportunities. By administering and advising these prizes, NREL supports the water power industry, advances clean energy, and inspires the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. These opportunities encourage novel innovation and collaboration among disciplines, private companies, academia, and federal agencies. NREL is pivotal to the success of these competitions by providing competitors with comprehensive expertise as well as administrative support, which includes organizing mentorship, trainings, and industry connections
for participants. All competitors receive ongoing incentives to continue working on their products, ultimately aiding in the advancement of hydropower and marine renewable energy.
