ARPA-E programs explore creative “outside-the-box” technologies that promise genuine transformation in the ways we generate, store and utilize energy. Unlike conventional DOE research, ARPA-E funds concepts that industry alone cannot support, but whose success would dramatically benefit the nation. Its high risk, high reward programs aim to substantially reduce foreign energy imports; cut energy-related greenhouse gas emissions; and improve efficiency across the energy spectrum.
PETRO is targeted at optimizing the biochemical processes of energy capture and conversion, enabling crops that deliver more energy per acre with less processing.
REACT will fund early-stage technology alternatives that reduce or eliminate the dependence on rare earth materials by developing substitutes for electric vehicle motors and wind generators.
HEATS will develop revolutionary cost-effective thermal energy storage technologies that if successful, would dramatically improve performance for a variety of critical energy applications.
GENI will fund innovative control software and high-voltage hardware than can reliably control the electric grid, specifically cost-optimizing sporadic energy sources and resiliently control power flow in real-time.
Solar ADEPT will focus on integrating advanced power electronics into solar panels and solar farms to extract and deliver energy more efficiently.
Better batteries will encourage public adoption of electric vehicles and shift transportation energy reliance from oil to the domestically-powered U.S. electric grid.
IMPACCT aims to revolutionize technologies that prevent carbon dioxide produced by coal-fired power plants from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.
GRIDS explores new technologies that enable widespread use of cost-effective grid-scale energy storage and balance the short-duration variability in renewable generation.
ADEPT explores materials for key advances in soft magnetics, high-voltage switches, and reliable, high-density charge storage that will reduce energy costs and consumption.
ARPA-E seeks to use microorganisms to harness energy and convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels. Theoretically, this could be10 times more efficient than current approaches.
ARPA-E seeks to develop energy-efficient building cooling technologies that will reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions.
In addition to targeted solicitations, ARPA-E funds discrete projects to accelerate the development of key energy technologies.