Energy Department, NASA hosts energy technology competition

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched on Thursday the NASA iTech challenge, a new competition for transformative energy concepts.

The challenge aims to identify energy generation, storage and distribution capabilities technologies that could benefit space exploration as well as life on Earth.

Technology sub-themes for the iTech challenge include: fuel cells and regenerative fuel cells; high-energy-density batteries and supercapacitors; solar power systems; small fission power systems; innovative power management and distribution including smart grids and wireless power transfer; and
X-Factor Energy, “innovations so compelling NASA and ARPA-E should know about them.”

ARPA-E will support provide subject matter expertise to support the competition and judging process.

“ARPA-E is thrilled to partner with NASA for this iTech competition and help bring the future of energy technology to space,” ARPA-E Principal Deputy Director Chris Fall said. “ARPA-E continually seeks to reinvent what’s possible, and we’re engaging our unmatched American energy innovation community to support this exciting competition.”

Inventors and entrepreneurs can submit a five-page white paper on their concept on the NASA iTech website through April 29.

A panel of subject matter experts from NASA and ARPA-E will then review submissions and choose 10 finalists based on their relevance and potential impact.

The 10 finalists will be invited to present their ideas to NASA and ARPA-E technologists, other energy and space experts and potential investors at the 2018 NASA iTech Cycle II Forum this June in New York City.