2026 Incubatenergy® Labs Challenge to Drive Innovation in Energy Systems

The focus areas include Grid Modernization and Resilience, Demand Flexibility, Smart Load Growth, Advanced Utility Operations, and Open.

Focus areas encompass advanced power quality monitoring and analytics systems, increased transmission and distribution lines capacity and efficiency, expedited planning and permitting process for new power lines, mitigation of power quality issues like voltage fluctuations, surges, and outages, and advanced loading and hosting capacity maps for grid optimization. They also include transformer modelling, advanced grid management and predictive maintenance for connected devices, predictive maintenance with real-time data integration, high-efficiency and scalable power electronics for different voltage levels, and bi-directional communication protocols between distributed energy resources (DERs) and the grid. Additional priorities address advanced metering infrastructure capable of real-time data analysis, cybersecurity for AMI 2.0 and grid-edge devices, improved weather information systems, detailed vegetation data sensors, wildfire risk mitigation technologies, and the use of large language models for processing complex specification sets rapidly.

Further objectives cover demand flexibility solutions to manage the impact of data centers and electric vehicles, managed and fast charging tools, smart charging infrastructure to reduce wait times, and improved access and affordability for EV charging in urban and rural areas. Focus extends to fleet analysis tools for EV adoption, edge computing for DER management, advanced DER management systems, smart inverters responsive to grid signals, communication protocols for virtual power plants, and planning energy solutions for multi-dwelling units. Also included are financial assistance programs for electrification, and innovative rate structures to promote energy conservation and adoption of electric appliances.

The program also supports new generation technologies such as geothermal, energy storage planning and deployment, and improving the economic viability of energy storage through accurate value propositions. It encourages long-duration and lithium-ion alternative technologies, minimizes safety risks, and promotes resiliency solutions through local generation, grid hardening, and on-site backup offerings. Priorities also include optimizing land use and environmental impact, agrivoltaics, remote sensing for environmental assessments, compliance tools for environmental laws, greenhouse gas monitoring, coal-to-nuclear transition safety, and minimizing water use in energy systems.

Advanced utility operations priorities include advanced manufacturing to reduce replacement lead times, improving operational safety and efficiency, and using real-time monitoring tools like drones. The challenge also highlights customer insights tools, natural language processing for engagement, automated vegetation management prioritization, anomaly detection and predictive maintenance via robotics, reinforcement learning, and robotics for in-home or field operations. Additional themes include novel sensors and inspection techniques, risk evaluation of assets, integration of emerging technologies, workforce upskilling for evolving grid systems, VR and AR for safe training, autonomous kiosks for customer service, safety culture enhancement, and circular economy solutions.

This challenge is open to early-stage startups offering technologies relevant to utilities and energy systems. The process begins with an application phase followed by startup evaluation. Selected startups will participate in a Pitch Day in Spring 2026 and may move into paid demonstration contracts in Summer 2026, with outcomes showcased during Demo Day in Fall 2026. Participating startups gain exposure to utility members, access to real-world demonstration opportunities, and the potential to scale their technologies across the industry.

For more information, visit EPRI.