DOE's Office of Electricity Launches Prize to Advance Production-Ready, Next-Gen Energy Storage

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Electricity (OE) today launched the Storage Design Strategies to Ease Production (STEP) Prize, a $500,000 competition to accelerate the development of next-generation energy storage technologies by addressing manufacturing and supply chain challenges early in the design process.

The two-phase competition will help innovators develop more affordable, reliable and secure energy storage technologies that strengthen America's grid and advance President Trump's American Energy Dominance agenda.

"Many promising energy storage technologies never reach scale not because the science falls short, but because the manufacturing and supply chain hurdles emerge too late in development," said Assistant Secretary of the Office of Electricity Katie Jereza. "The Storage Design STEP Prize supports DOE's commitment to enhancing home-grown solutions that foster an affordable, innovative, secure, and reliable grid of the future."

The Storage Design STEP Prize encourages competitors to incorporate manufacturability, material sourcing, and supply chain resilience into the earliest stages of technology development. By addressing these issues at the design stage, innovators can reduce production risks, avoid costly redesigns, and accelerate commercialization.

The competition is open to all individuals, entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, academic institutions, and other eligible entities developing emerging energy storage technologies for stationary and grid-scale applications.

Phase 1 will recognize up to three Champions, who will receive $20,000, and up to nine Finalists, who will receive $10,000 for demonstrating innovative approaches to manufacturing and supply chain challenges.

Phase 1 winners will advance to Phase 2, where up to two Champions will each receive $100,000 and up to three Finalists will each receive $50,000. Winning teams will also receive DOE recognition and opportunities for future testing and stakeholder engagement.

Phase 1 of the Storage Design STEP Prize closes on Oct. 8, 2026. Learn more about this competition, including key dates and submission details, on HeroX, the official prize platform.

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