Stage I: CONCEPT

Propose a concept for successful, cost-effective fish exclusion at water diversions and intakes

January 27, 2020 to May 13, 2020

Competitors in the CONCEPT Stage submitted their new concepts for successful and cost-effective fish exclusion at water diversions and intakes or improvements to existing fish exclusion technologies. Submissions included a technical narrative, a 90-second video summary, and a one-page summary slide of their concept. The Prize Administrator screened completed submissions and assigned subject matter expert reviewers to independently score the content of each submission.

Graphic of the Fish Protection contest stages; Concept - propose a concept for successful, cost-effective fish exclusion at water diversions and intakes, Incubation - winners are paired with PNNL for support, Pitch Contest - participants will present their refined innovations to a live audience.

Competitors were evaluated based on the technical innovation, technical feasibility, market feasibility, and the proposed research and development plan. On June 30, 2020, DOE announced the 9 winners that were selected by the Prize Administrator, in consultation with WPTO and Reclamation, to move on to the INCUBATION Stage.

Congratulations to our CONCEPT Stage Winners!

Nine winners were selected based on their innovative ideas and strong submission packages in the first stage of the prize. Each winner received 50 hours of in-kind support from PNNL and the opportunity to advance to the INCUBATION Stage.

entry title (listed alphabetically)	team	video

Air Bubble Curtain for Physical Exclusion	Tim Hogan
The Center Sender	Sterling Watson's Team
Deal with the Devilfish: Biometric Screen	Benjamin Mater
Fish Diversion Material & Inspection Improvements	Nicholas LaBry's Team
Fish Entrainment Reduction Structure (FERS)	Jenna Rackovan's Team
Fish Exclusion Using a Floating Separator	Jeremy Martinez
Fish Friendly Gravitational Vortex Energy System	Ron Bingaman
Sweeping CHIRPs, Looming Darkness: In-Sync Stimuli	Fisheries Technology Associates, Inc.
Umida AG - Aquifer Pipe	Umida AG

More CONCEPT Stage Ideas

We would also like to applaud those who participated in the CONCEPT Stage that were not chosen to advance to the INCUBATE Stage. Learn more about these teams and their solutions to protect fish below.

entry title (listed alphabetically)	team	video
AI-DAD	Vijay P's Team
Electromagnetic Longitudinal Wave Barrier	Jophiel Group
Energy Without Environmental Damage	Joy Montgomery's Team
Fish Protection Bubble Safety	Brooks Matthew Benefiel
Fish Protection Challenge	Pinku Kumar
Funny Fish	Nina Te'o
Invisible Field Guidance System	Janine Bryan's Team
Safer Salmonids via Cavitation and Airfoils	Edem Tsikata
Self-Powered Tracker for Fish Protection	Fish Tracker
UpScreen Water at Mid-Depth	Naturale Desalination
Whirlpool Generating Masonry Funnel	Abdullah Baig

Solutions that help shape the future