Applications Due Aug. 31 for DOE Wood Heater Design Challenge

WASHINGTON— Applications are due on Wednesday, Aug. 31, for a chance to participate in the Department of Energy’s Wood Heater Design Challenge.

There are an estimated 12.5 million homes in the United States that use wood or pellets for space heating, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

For decades, wood heater technology has enabled this country to reduce fossil fuel dependence and it remains a vital way for middle- and low-income households to affordably heat with a low-carbon, renewable fuel. But how can we develop modern wood heater technology that is efficient and produces low emissions? And, how can modern wood heater technology fit into our residential renewable energy future? 

The challenge, a collaboration between the Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Alliance for Green Heat, will seek to answer those questions. 

It was created to engage and expand the wood heater community; foster relationships among academia, industry, and other stakeholders to develop innovative wood heaters that are cleaner and more efficient; and to build strong teams to create and design new wood stove technologies.

The challenge organizers will host a Technology Slam on Sept. 29, 2022, in advance of next year’s Stove Competition. 

The 2022 Wood Heater Technology Slam is an opportunity for teams to pitch innovative wood stove ideas to retailers, the public and panels of experts, who will assess which stove is the most innovative and boasts the most market potential.

Teams with the most points will be eligible for funding to advance to the competition stage of the 5th Wood Heater Design Challenge.

For more information access the application on the Brookhaven National Laboratory website.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue.