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American-Made Challenges

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Carbon Management Collegiate Competition

Funded by DOE's Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Office, this competition tasks students to propose a regional carbon transport network.

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Energy, Environment & Resources Government Technology
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Prize Winner Announcement and Awards

This challenge is closed

Energy, Environment & Resources Government Technology
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Overview Guidelines

Overview

The U.S. Department of Energy's Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Office is launching the Carbon Management Collegiate Competition for Spring Semester 2023. Collegiate students will be tasked with proposing a regional carbon transport network, defining its business model, and optimizing the transport network across several parameters and with consideration to regional stakeholders, challenges, and cost variability.

Interdisciplinary teams are required to present a real-world example of work in multi-functional teams. Teams must be comprised of 3 or more undergraduate or graduate students and represent more than one major with preference towards majors or specializations in business, supply chain, geosciences, engineering, GIS, land management, law, computer science, and/or public policy. It is highly encouraged to have representation across two or more disciplines. Faculty participation is welcomed and optional, but the faculty participant does not take the place of a student in the 3-student requirement. 

This competition seeks a diverse range of participants with consideration to disadvantaged communities and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields to advance carbon management technologies and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission goals in a just and sustainable way. 

Follow this HeroX page to receive updates when the rules are posted and the prize opens for submissions.

Guidelines

Please review the official rules  for the complete application process and instructions for competing.

If you want to receive updates on the prize or have any questions, please subscribe by using the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at CarbonComp@nrel.gov.

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Timeline
Updates18

Challenge Updates

Watch a Short Video Highlighting the Competition!

Nov. 21, 2023, 7:13 a.m. PST by NREL Prize Administrator

The Carbon Management Collegiate Competition has drawn to a close, and you can watch this video for a summary of the prize and a highlight of the winners! 

Thank you to all who participated, and keep a watch on americanmadechallenges.org for future prize opportunities within carbon management!

Carbon Management Collegiate Competition Winners Announced!

June 1, 2023, 8:11 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) has announced the winners of the Carbon Management Collegiate Competition! The competition challenged students to help shape the future of carbon management by proposing regional carbon networks capable of transporting at least one million metric tons of CO2 per year. 

 

“Improvements in carbon capture, storage, and transportation are essential for advancing clean energy,” said Kevin Dooley, carbon transport engineer at FECM. “With this competition, FECM hopes to inspire the next generation of carbon management professionals to develop networks that mitigate the challenges of fossil fuel use in a just and sustainable way.”

FIRST PLACE ($12,000 cash prize): Sequestration Squad, University of Michigan

SECOND PLACE ($8,000 cash prize): Biggest Little Lithium, University of Nevada

THIRD PLACE ($5,000 cash prize): GreenHouston, University of Houston

A panel of expert judges from academic, federal, and utility backgrounds reviewed the final submissions to determine the winning teams. In addition to the cash prize, winning teams will receive an invitation to present their winning proposals at the DOE’s Carbon Management Annual Project Review Meeting.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all participants!

Read the FECM Announcement.

Final Deadline Reminders

April 11, 2023, 2:41 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Dear Carbon Management Collegiate Competition Teams,

The deadline for final submissions is this Friday, April 14, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Be sure to upload your completed submission well before the deadline to avoid potential delays that may arise due to technical difficulties.

As a reminder, all Team Captains have access to begin the final submission, but after it’s created, any team member can edit, adjust, and enter the submission. A full submission includes a cover page and narrative, an Excel spreadsheet with LCA calculations, maps in GIS or Google Maps format, and a summary submission slide. You can include the LCA spreadsheet directly within the narrative document. Don’t forget to use the final submission template provided in the HeroX resources!

Finally, we have one last opportunity to join the Entrepreneur Futures Network Office Hours before the submission deadline! Sign up here to attend this event on Wednesday, April 12, at 7:00 p.m. EST for last-minute answers and feedback on your submission.

Good luck!

CMCC Team

Final Submission Deadline Just Over One Week Away!

April 5, 2023, 9:45 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Dear Carbon Management Collegiate Competition Teams,

The final submission deadline is just over one week away! Don’t wait for the last minute, get started on your submission now to ensure you don’t run into any technical difficulties. A few quick reminders:

  • Final submission deadline: Friday, April 14 at 5:00 p.m. EST.
    • All Team Captains have access to begin the Final Submission. You can find this link on the HeroX home page. Please let us know ASAP if you do not see a submission button.
    • Only the Team Captain can begin the submission, but after it’s created any team member can edit, adjust, and enter the submission.
  • A full submission includes a cover page and narrative, Excel spreadsheet with LCA calculations, maps in GIS or Google Maps format, and a summary submission slide. For more details on submission requirements, please see the official prize rules.
  • Don’t forget to use the final submission template provided in the HeroX resources.
  • EFN’s is still offering office hours to provide feedback and support for your submissions! You can find a time and sign up here.
  • Reminder that during the Midway Check-In, several teams asked questions—answers have been posted in the FAQ on HeroX for everyone to see.

We look forward to reviewing your innovative ideas!

CMCC Team

Midway Check-In Feedback, and Reminders

March 20, 2023, 6:55 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Hello Carbon Management Collegiate Competition teams! Below are a few important announcements and reminders:

  • All Midway Check-In feedback has been sent to Team Captains using the email addresses listed on your HeroX applications.
  • For any questions that were asked as part of the Midway Check-In, responses have been posted in the FAQ here on HeroX.
  • As you prepare your Final Submission (due April 14th!), if you are struggling with any parameters, please schedule time to chat with one or both of our Power Connectors - EFN and NHSSF. They are here to help!
  • Lastly, Team Captains please double check that your main HeroX page says "Solve This Challenge" or "Enter" under the competition title. Please let us know if you don't see an option to complete your final submission so that we can make sure everyone is set ahead of the April 14th deadline!

Good luck as we enter the final stages of the Carbon Management Collegiate Competition!

CMCC Team

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