Washington, D.C. – In an effort to accelerate the development of wave energy powered desalination systems and launch technologies to address critical water security challenges, the U.S. Department of Energy opened Thursday the first stage of the Waves to Water Prize.
Competitors can win up to $2.5 million in prizes for their solutions that are modular, portable and can serve the clean water needs of remote communities or aid in disaster relief.
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Waves to Water is divided into four stages: concept, technical design, building of a prototype and an open water testing competition. The first concept stage is now open for applications through Sept. 11.
The initial concept stage has $200,000 in prizes, with up to $10,000 in funding for up to 20 winners. More information on specific guidelines for submissions and rules of the competition can be found here.
“The start of the Waves to Water Prize marks an important step toward driving growth and progress in the marine energy sector as well as spurring innovation to develop desalinization technologies that will have a global impact,” said U.S. Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes in a statement. “Supplying potable drinking water is a significant challenge in many parts of the world, and we have the opportunity to use the power of competition to find lasting solutions through the development of these two industries.”
The prize is the first to be launched by department under the White House-initiated Water Security Grand Challenge, a department-led program to advance technology and innovation to meet the global need for safe, secure, and affordable water, according to officials.
The Waves to Water Prize is led by the department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Water Power Technologies Office and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on the American Made Challenges platform.
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