The Decadal Challenge leverages the Energy Storage Grand Challenge Lab Coordination team to identify key energy storage issues for DOE to address over the next decade. These areas to address are outlined in the Long Duration Storage Shot.
Objectives:
- Establish a Steering Committee that will ideate milestone focused plan in a highly collaborative, cross-track approach. This Committee will include senior technical lab leadership who align with specific topics of interest (manufacturing, policy, etc.)
- Create a process that is open to labs across DOE for wider engagement
- Address challenges across the ESGC tracks (minimum one per track)
Budget:
- Total funds are about $500,000-$700,000 for FY 2024. Project ideas can be small/medium/large. Funding is not intended to do the research, but to develop concept to full program plan.
Timeline:
Challenges are funded annually based on budget.
BIG Decadal Idea Generator (BIG-DIG)
What: Fast Pitch competition to select needle-moving seedling ideas for further development.
- Funding is not to do the research, but to develop the concept into full program plan.
Purpose: To provide fully developed programs that accelerate progress towards the Long Duration Storage Earthshot and ESGC goals.
Problem Being Solved: To maximize use of long-range insights from national lab experts.
Approach: Align organizational work with the four Energy Storage Grand Challenge tracks:
- A standardized pitch and four-page summary format will be provided.
- Track Leaders are encouraged to coach ideas as appropriate.
- Judges are DOE track leads and other Subject Matter Experts (TBD).
Scale: Project ideas can be small, medium or large.
Timing: The challenge began in February 2024; Final Selections are in April-May.
Resources: See the pitch template and an example pitch below.
