Innovating Distributed Embedded Energy Prize

The Phase III competitors have been hard at work developing their DEEC-Tec concepts in advance of the final event in March. Today, we’re spotlighting finalist EBB:FLOW.  

The EBB:FLOW team from Braintree, Massachusetts brings together experience in marine renewables, smart materials, and U.S. regulatory and market landscapes to advance a novel direct generation wave energy technology.  

The team’s technology is a Dielectric Fluid Generator comprising of a set of pouches that act as variable capacitors when an external load is applied. As the fluid-filled pouches are compressed and expanded by the action of ocean waves, their cyclical charging and discharging generates electricity.  

EBB:FLOW will present on their technology at the InDEEP Final Forum in March in pursuit of winning the grand prize.

During Phase III, the InDEEP finalists have been hard at work developing their DEEC-Tec concepts in advance of the final event in March. Today, we’re spotlighting finalist PECWEC from Storrs, Connecticut.

This team from the University of Connecticut is advancing wave energy harvesting through the Piezoelectrochemical Wave Energy Converter (PECWEC). This solution is designed to transform the mechanical energy of ocean waves into electrochemical energy.

The PECWEC project aims to address the limitations of traditional mechanical energy harvesters in capturing energy from low-frequency ocean waves. PEC materials, which convert energy through volume changes induced by electrochemical reactions, are better fit for low-frequency applications. This technology has enabled the team to develop an efficient energy harvesting technique that is suitable for the dynamic and environment of ocean waves. 

Team PECWEC will join the other finalists at the InDEEP Final Forum in March for the culmination of the InDEEP Prize.

During Phase III, the InDEEP finalists have been hard at work developing their DEEC-Tec concepts in advance of the final event in March. Today, we’re spotlighting the Piezogami Team.

Hailing from Blacksburg, Virginia, the Piezogami Team is developing a wave-powered electric barrier using inspiration from the ancient art of Kirigami paper cutting. This wave-powered, autonomous fence aims to deter invasive marine species, particularly the sea lamprey, to protect the country’s Great Lakes and oceans.

The members of the Piezogami Team combined their expertise in soft piezo-electric materials, kirigami structures, and marine energy harvesting to create a hierarchical meta-structure that maximizes wave energy harvesting at different levels. Not only does the integrated system harvest and store energy from waves, but the piezoelectric kirigami sheets can also act as a sensor to detect contact from invasive fish and release electricity to deter these harmful species. 

The Piezogami Team will present on their technology at the InDEEP Final Forum in March in pursuit of being named a grand prize winner.

During Phase III, the InDEEP finalists have been hard at work developing their DEEC-Tec concepts in advance of the final event in March. Today, we’re spotlighting finalist WaveHarvest.

WaveHarvest’s concept involves a unique configuration of three different DEEC types to harness energy from ocean waves and convert it into useful electricity. Their novel energy harvesting device combines piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and dielectric elastomer transducers into a distributed and multimodal system. 

Significantly, the integration of these transduction mechanisms extends beyond simple combination and instead leads to increased energy density for the device, as the presence of one system enhances the efficiency of the other. 

WaveHarvest will join the rest of the prize finalists at the InDEEP Final Forum in March to present their technology and compete for the grand prize. 

The latest round of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs features multiple opportunities for water power innovators. DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) is seeking SBIR and STTR applications related to both hydropower and marine energy technologies in eight subtopics (see page 129 of the SBIR/STTR topics document for more details): 

Hydropower  

a. Municipal and Industrial Conduit Hydropower  

b. Innovations in data collection, analytics, models and tools  

c. Pumped Storage Hydropower Innovative Concepts  

Marine Energy  

d. Co-Development of Marine Energy Technologies  

e. Development of Standardized Modular Power Electronics for Grid-Compatible Marine Energy Systems 

f. Advances in Overtopping Wave Energy Converters for Coastal Structures  

g. Next-Generation Tidal and River Current Energy Technologies for Arctic/Alaskan Communities  

h. Feasibility of Co-locating Marine Energy and Offshore Wind 

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the topics document to identify technology areas of interest and begin formulating innovative responses and partnerships. 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. 

WPTO will also be hosting an informational webinar on Dec. 4 to discuss the topics and answer questions from interested applicants. Learn more and register for the webinar.  

As you pursue this and other opportunities, remember that the American-Made Network is a great resource for finding commercialization-assistance providers and vendors with specific expertise across technology sectors. The Network helps accelerate innovations through a robust group of entities that includes national laboratories, energy incubators, investors, and other industry partners from across the United States who engage, connect, mentor, and amplify the efforts of small businesses.