Waves to Water Prize Update: Winners of ADAPT Stage move forward to CREATE

This week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced 10 winners in the ADAPT stage of the Waves to Water Prize, a competition focused on using the power of waves to develop clean energy-powered desalination technologies to help provide potable water to communities in need. Moving forward to the next phase of the competition known as the CREATE stage, the chosen teams will have 180 days to build a functional prototype or proof of concept of their system. The winners will also have the opportunity to work with prize sponsors that will support their progress. Up to 10 CREATE Stage winners will be selected to share a $500,000 prize pool and will develop a plan to build and deliver their technology for the final stage of the prize, DRINK.

As first announced last Spring, the Coastal Studies Institute and Jennette’s Pier will partner with DOE and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) to host the prize finalists. The pier will serve as the launch and test site for the competitors’ final designs.

“The CSI team is excited to host the DRINK stage of the competition in 2022.  These innovative technologies have tremendous potential in advancing marine energy solutions for our blue economy and addressing global drinking water challenges” says George Bonner, Director of North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program.

Learn more about the Waves to Water Prize, follow the competitors’ progress as they near the grand finale, and stay tuned to CSI’s social media platforms and website for more updates.