The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions
The Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to encourage the development of robust, domestic recycling solutions for fiber-reinforced composites and rare earth elements to lessen the need for raw material extraction and processing, thereby reducing environmental harm. It targets enhancing U.S. energy security by diminishing dependence on foreign materials and aims to boost the domestic wind energy industry through commercialization of technologies that can create jobs and attract new talent. The prize promotes the adoption of mature recycling technologies from other sectors, the development of new recycling technologies and processes, and expansion of the DOE's efforts in wind turbine materials recycling. The prize consists of two phases: "Initiate!", where up to 20 winners get $75,000 each to highlight their recycling concepts, and "Accelerate!", where up to six teams can win $500,000 each for developing prototype demonstrations, with an additional $100,000 in vouchers for DOE national laboratories work.