Status: Active
Release Date: 10/02/2019
Project Count: 9

GEMINA

Generating Electricity Managed by Intelligent Nuclear Assets (GEMINA) aims to develop digital twin technology for advanced nuclear reactors and transform operations and maintenance (O&M) systems in the next generation of nuclear power plants. ARPA-E is looking for interdisciplinary teams to develop digital twins, or a similar technology, for an advanced reactor design as the foundation of their O&M strategy. Performers will design tools that introduce greater flexibility in reactor systems, increased autonomy in operations, and faster design iteration. The goal is to create a 10x…

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 09/29/2011
Project Count: 15

GENI

The projects in ARPA-E's GENI program, short for "Green Electricity Network Integration," aim to modernize the way electricity is transmitted in the U.S. through advances in hardware and software for the electric grid. These advances will improve the efficiency and reliability of electricity transmission, increase the amount of renewable energy the grid can utilize, and provide energy suppliers and consumers with greater control over their power flows in order to better manage peak power demand and cost.

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 06/18/2015
Project Count: 14

GENSETS

The GENSETS program aims to develop transformative generator technologies to enable widespread deployment of residential combined heat and power (CHP) systems. These small, natural gas-fueled systems can fulfill most of a US household’s electricity and hot water needs, and if widely used could increase the overall efficiency of power generation in the US, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 07/24/2018
Project Count: 0

GO Competition

ARPA-E’s Grid Optimization (GO) Competition comprises a series of prize challenges to accelerate the development and comprehensive evaluation of new software solutions for tomorrow’s electric grid. Key areas for development include but are not limited to optimal utilization of conventional and emerging technologies, management of dynamic grid operations (including extreme event response and restoration), and management of millions of emerging distributed energy resources (DER). Challenge 1 The first challenge of the GO Competition is an algorithm competition to develop solutions to the…

Status: Active
Release Date: 03/30/2023
Project Count: 0

GOPHURRS

The Grid Overhaul with Proactive, High-Speed Undergrounding for Reliability, Resilience, and Security (GOPHURRS) program seeks to simplify the construction of underground medium voltage (MV, 5 – 46 kV) power distribution grids in urban and suburban areas by adopting a concurrent drilling and conduit installation method of construction that reduces the inefficiencies associated with today’s horizontal drilling and conduit installation operations. To achieve this, a shift in the standard of undergrounding from digging to drilling is needed in order to leave the surface nearly untouched.…

Status: Active
Release Date: 01/15/2016
Project Count: 8

GRID DATA

The Generating Realistic Information for the Development of Distribution and Transmission Algorithms (GRID DATA) program will fund the development of large-scale, realistic, validated, and open-access power system network models. These models will have the detail required to allow the successful development and testing of transformational power system optimization and control algorithms, including new Optimal Power Flow (OPF) algorithms. Project teams will take one of two tracks to develop models. The first option is to partner with a utility to collect and then anonymize real data as the…

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 07/12/2010
Project Count: 16

GRIDS

The projects that comprise ARPA-E's GRIDS program, short for "Grid-Scale Rampable Intermittent Dispatchable Storage," are developing storage technologies that can store renewable energy for use at any location on the grid at an investment cost less than $100 per kilowatt hour. Flexible, large-scale storage would create a stronger and more robust electric grid by enabling renewables to contribute to reliable power generation.

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 09/29/2011
Project Count: 15

HEATS

The projects that make up ARPA-E's HEATS program, short for "High Energy Advanced Thermal Storage," seek to develop revolutionary, cost-effective ways to store thermal energy. HEATS focuses on 3 specific areas: 1) developing high-temperature solar thermal energy storage capable of cost-effectively delivering electricity around the clock and thermal energy storage for nuclear power plants capable of cost-effectively meeting peak demand, 2) creating synthetic fuel efficiently from sunlight by converting sunlight into heat, and 3) using thermal energy storage to improve the driving range of…

Status: Active
Release Date: 06/13/2022
Project Count: 17

HESTIA

The HESTIA program aims to support the development of technologies that cancel out embodied emissions while transforming buildings into net carbon storage structures. HESTIA projects will develop and demonstrate building materials and whole-building designs from a wide range of potential feedstocks (e.g., forestry and purpose-grown products, agricultural residues, direct carbon utilization) that are net carbon negative on a life-cycle basis by using atmospheric CO2 in the production process. HESTIA metrics include: Storage of more carbon in the chemical structure of the finished product…

Status: Active
Release Date: 08/09/2018
Project Count: 15

HITEMMP

The projects that comprise ARPA-E’s HITEMMP (High Intensity Thermal Exchange through Materials and Manufacturing Processes) program will develop new approaches and technologies for the design and manufacture of high temperature, high pressure, efficient, and highly compact heat exchangers. Heat exchangers are critical to efficient thermal energy exchange in numerous industrial applications and everyday life, with valuable applications in electricity generation, transportation, petrochemical plants, waste heat recovery, and much more. HITEMMP projects target heat exchangers capable of…

Status: Alumni
Release Date:
Project Count: 59

IDEAS

The IDEAS program – short for Innovative Development in Energy-Related Applied Science – provides a continuing opportunity for the rapid support of early-stage applied research to explore pioneering new concepts with the potential for transformational and disruptive changes in energy technology. IDEAS awards, which are restricted to maximums of one year in duration and $500,000 in funding, are intended to be flexible and may take the form of analyses or exploratory research that provides the agency with information useful for the subsequent development of focused technology programs. IDEAS…

Status: Active
Release Date: 11/09/2023
Project Count: 0

IGNIITE

The objective of Inspiring Generations of New Innovators to Impact Technologies in Energy 2024 (IGNIITE 2024) is to support early-career innovators seeking to convert disruptive and unconventional ideas into impactful new technologies across the full spectrum of energy applications. IGNIITE 2024 aims to empower these early-career scientists and engineers in becoming independent researchers and unleashing their creativity to address the urgent energy-related challenges our society currently faces. In addition to funding research efforts, IGNIITE 2024 will include dedicated events, meetings…

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 04/29/2010
Project Count: 15

IMPACCT

IMPACCT's projects seek to develop technologies for existing coal-fired power plants that will lower the cost of carbon capture. Short for "Innovative Materials and Processes for Advanced Carbon Capture Technologies," the IMPACCT program is geared toward minimizing the cost of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from coal-fired power plant exhaust by developing materials and processes that have never before been considered for this application. Retrofitting coal-fired power plants to capture the CO2 they produce would enable greenhouse gas reductions without forcing these plants to close, shifting…

Status: Active
Release Date: 07/26/2017
Project Count: 9

INTEGRATE

The projects that comprise ARPA-E’s INTEGRATE (Innovative Natural-gas Technologies for Efficiency Gain in Reliable and Affordable Thermochemical Electricity-generation) program will develop natural gas fueled, distributed, ultra-high efficiency electrical generation systems. The program will focus on hybrid system designs that integrate a fuel cell with a heat or reactive engine, such as a gas turbine or a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The INTEGRATE program encourages the development and demonstration of integrated hybrid systems and/or enabling component technologies. Project…

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 09/13/2016
Project Count: 16

IONICS

Today's growing demand for electricity from carbon-free, renewable resources and for alternatives to petroleum as a transportation fuel has led to a strong desire for cost-effective and durable energy storage and conversion products. The projects that make up ARPA-E's IONICS program, short for "Integration and Optimization of Novel Ion-Conducting Solids," are paving the way for technologies that overcome the limitations of current battery and fuel cell products by creating high performance separators and electrodes built with solid ion conductors. The program will focus on developing new…

Status: Active
Release Date: 09/19/2017
Project Count: 22

MARINER

The projects that comprise ARPA-E’s MARINER (Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources) program seek to develop the tools to enable the United States to become a global leader in the production of marine biomass. Presently, macroalgae, or seaweed, is primarily used as food for human consumption, but there is a growing opportunity for the production of macroalgae for use as feedstock for fuels and chemicals, as well as animal feed. ARPA-E estimates the United States has suitable conditions and geography to produce at least 500 million dry metric tons of macroalgae per year. Such…

Status: Active
Release Date: 06/04/2018
Project Count: 9

MEITNER

The projects that comprise ARPA-E's MEITNER (Modeling-Enhanced Innovations Trailblazing Nuclear Energy Reinvigoration) program seek to identify and develop innovative technologies that can enable designs for lower cost, safer advanced nuclear reactors. These enabling technologies can establish the basis for a modern, domestic supply chain supporting nuclear technology. Projects will be improved and validated with advanced modeling and simulation tools, and project teams will have access to subject matter experts from nuclear and non-nuclear disciplines. An ARPA-E-provided Resource Team will…

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 09/19/2013
Project Count: 19

METALS

The projects that comprise ARPA-E's METALS program, short for "Modern Electro/Thermochemical Advances in Light Metal Systems," aim to find cost-effective and energy-efficient manufacturing techniques to process and recycle metals for lightweight vehicles and aircraft. Processing light metals such as aluminum, titanium, and magnesium more efficiently would enable competition with incumbent structural metals like steel to manufacture vehicles and aircraft that meet demanding fuel efficiency standards without compromising performance or safety.

Status: Active
Release Date: 10/27/2022
Project Count: 17

MINER

The Mining Innovations for Negative Emissions Resources (MINER) program seeks to increase the U.S. domestic supplies of copper, nickel, lithium, cobalt, and other rare earth elements. These minerals are critical during the transition to clean sources of energy, such as wind and solar. The MINER program will fund the technology research that increases the mineral yield while decreasing the required energy, and subsequent emissions, to mine and extract these energy-relevant minerals. Specifically, the program will investigate the potential CO2-reactive ores to unlock net-zero or net-negative…

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 12/16/2014
Project Count: 12

MONITOR

The projects that comprise ARPA-E’s Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR) program are developing innovative technologies to cost-effectively and accurately locate and measure methane emissions associated with natural gas production. Such low-cost sensing systems are needed to reduce methane leaks anywhere from the wellpad to local distribution networks, reduce safety hazards, promote more efficient use of our domestic natural gas resources, and reduce the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) impact from natural gas development. In order to evaluate…

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 08/24/2015
Project Count: 11

MOSAIC

ARPA-E’s MOSAIC program seeks to develop technologies and concepts that will lower the cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems and improve their performance. Project teams will develop micro-scale concentrated photovoltaic systems (CPV) that are similar in cost and size to conventional solar PV systems, but with greatly increased performance levels. Multidisciplinary teams will leverage expertise in conventional flat-plate PV, CPV, manufacturing, optical engineering, and material science to produce a new class of PV panels. If successful, these technologies could facilitate cost-…

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 07/12/2012
Project Count: 13

MOVE

The projects that comprise ARPA-E's MOVE Program, short for "Methane Opportunities for Vehicular Energy," are finding cost-effective ways to power passenger cars and other light-duty vehicles with America's abundant natural gas resources. Natural gas is currently less expensive than gasoline, and produces fewer harmful emissions than any other fossil fuel. Despite these advantages, significant technological and infrastructure barriers currently limit the use of natural gas as a major fuel source in the U.S. ARPA-E's MOVE projects are finding innovative ways to break through these barriers,…

Status: Active
Release Date: 11/02/2016
Project Count: 12

NEXTCAR

Recent rapid advances in driver assistance technologies and the deployment of vehicles with increased levels of connectivity and automation have created multiple opportunities to improve the efficiency of future vehicle fleets beyond in new ways. The projects that make up ARPA-E's NEXTCAR Program, short for "NEXT-Generation Energy Technologies for Connected and Automated On-Road Vehicles," are enabling technologies that use connectivity and automation to co-optimize vehicle dynamic controls and powertrain operation, thereby reducing energy consumption of the vehicle. Vehicle dynamic and…

Status: Alumni
Release Date: 12/11/2015
Project Count: 13

NODES

The Network Optimized Distributed Energy Systems (NODES) Program aspires to enable renewables penetration at the 50% level or greater, by developing transformational grid management and control methods to create a virtual energy storage system based on use of flexible load and distributed energy resources (DERs). The challenge is to cost-effectively and reliably manage dynamic changes in the grid by leveraging these additional grid resources, while maintaining customer quality of service. The expected benefits include reduced periods of costly peak demand, reduced energy waste and increased…

Status: Active
Release Date: 05/19/2021
Project Count: 11

ONWARDS

The next generation of advanced nuclear reactors (AR) is currently being developed to enhance the safety, reduce the cost, and increase the efficiency of nuclear power generation. The future deployment of ARs will ensure that the U.S. meets its goals of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and facilitates U.S. energy security and global thought leadership in advanced nuclear energy. To enable the growth of advanced nuclear energy, ONWARDS seeks to develop and demonstrate breakthrough technologies that will facilitate a 10x reduction in AR waste volume generation or repository footprint. In addition…