The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced more than $3.5 million for 18 hydropower and marine energy projects as part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program.

DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) selected these small business-led projects that can help spur water power-focused innovation across the country. These projects will help achieve the Biden administration’s goals of a carbon-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero-emissions economy by 2050, DOE said.

Because hydropower and marine energy technologies capture energy from the movement and flow of water, they are predictable, reliable and well-suited to help balance an electricity grid with higher levels of variable renewable energy like wind and solar, DOE said.

The 18 projects were awarded under six topic areas:

Innovations in Water Data?

Fathom Science LLC, Raleigh, N.C.

Geometric Data Analytics Inc., Durham, N.C.

Grid Modernization Solutions LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah

Hedgefog Research Inc., San Pedro, Calif.

Ocean Motion Technologies Inc., San Diego, Calif.

Upstream PBC, Alameda, Calif.

Advanced Coatings and Geomembrane Liners?

Achiewell LLC, Hatfield, Pa.

Intelligent Optical Systems Inc., Torrance, Calif.

Nanoionix LLC, Famington, Ct.

River Connectivity Systems, Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Identification of Cybersecurity Threats and Research and Development of Mitigation Strategies for Hydropower and Dams’ Operations?

Fend Incorporated, Arlington, Va.

Co-Development of Marine Energy Technologies

4D Maker LLC, Okemos, Mich.

Bladerunner Energy Inc., Bend, Ore.

Calwave Power Technologies Inc., Hercules, Calif.

Triton Systems Inc., Chelmsford, Mass.

Marine Energy Supply Chain Development?

3U Technologies LLC, Conroe, Texas

Triton Anchor LLC, Chelmsford, Mass.

Agricultural Power Decarbonization?

Continuous Solutions LLC, Portland, Ore.