The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the winners of the Clean Power for Hours Challenge, awarding a total of $835,000 to recipients for their innovative clean energy solutions. The competition aimed to find promising clean energy storage solutions to keep essential services functioning during power outages.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas highlighted the importance of the challenge, stating, "When disaster strikes, restoring electric power can quickly become a matter of life or death." The challenge empowers citizen innovators to strengthen critical infrastructure resilience and support communities in times of need.
Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov, DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology, commended the winners for their groundbreaking technologies, stating, "The Challenge winners offer ready-to-field energy storage solutions with the potential to advance the DHS mission to strengthen national climate resilience."
CISA Director Jen Easterly emphasized the significance of the challenge in promoting innovative and environmentally friendly energy solutions, stating, "Ensuring that lifeline critical infrastructure facilities have sustainable, robust back-up power solutions is paramount to maintaining the resilience of our nation’s infrastructure."
The Clean Power for Hours Challenge recognized various winners, with Urban Electric Power, Inc. receiving the Grand Prize of $400,000 for its Rechargeable Zinc-Manganese Dioxide Battery Energy Storage System. The Runner-up, Dr. Hari Dharan from Omnes Energy, was awarded $200,000 for his Long Duration Power Delivery for Critical Infrastructure technology.
Additionally, the startup company ElectricFish received an "Innovator" Honorable Mention for its 350squared technology, while New Use Energy Solutions, Inc. and ONYX POWER LLC were also recognized with Honorable Mentions for their innovative solutions.
Moving forward, DHS, S&T, CISA, and their government partners will continue working with the winners to provide future opportunities, including mentorship, connections to technology accelerators, and speaking engagements at security conferences.
To stay updated with DHS S&T and future prize competitions, interested individuals can visit the DHS Prize Competitions website and follow DHS S&T on various social media platforms.
