How The DARPA Of The Energy World Wants To Change The Electricity Grid | Co.Exist | ideas + impact

The below article, by Jessica Leber for Co.Exist, makes for an interesting read about a government project I hadn’t heard of before: the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy).

Here’s a bit of background on ARPA-E, directly from their factsheet:

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)

catalyzes transformational energy technologies that could

create a more secure and affordable American future. We

advance high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that

are too early for private-sector investment. ARPA-E awardees

are unique because they are developing entirely new ways to

generate, store, and use energy.

ARPA-E projects have the potential to radically improve

U.S. economic prosperity, national security, and

environmental well-being. We focus on transformational

energy technology projects that can be meaningfully

advanced with a small investment over a defined period

of time. Our streamlined awards process enables us to act

quickly and advance cutting-edge areas of energy research.

ARPA-E empowers America’s energy researchers with funding,

technical assistance, and market readiness. Our rigorous

program design, competitive project selection process, and

active program management ensure thoughtful expenditures.

ARPA-E Program Directors serve for limited terms to ensure a

constant infusion of fresh thinking and new perspectives.

Given their focus on technological innovation and next-generation breakthroughs, this high-concept research division has drawn parallels to the Department of Defense’s DARPA initiative, and you can check out their current list of more than 300 projects here.

Also worth a listen: Acting Director Cheryl Martin on NPR’s Science Friday.

Original article:

How The DARPA Of The Energy World Wants To Change The Electricity Grid | Co.Exist | ideas + impact.