Frequent Questions about the EmPOWER Air Data Challenge
The EmPOWER Air Data Challenge is an opportunity for researchers to use one or more Clean Air and Power Division (CAPD) datasets in an innovative way. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the EmPOWER Air Data Challenge, as well as some specific to the application process.
General Questions
What are the benefits of winning the EmPOWER Air Data Challenge?
The EmPOWER Air Data Challenge offers academics and researchers practical experience working on environmental issues with CAPD power sector and environmental quality data. If your proposal is selected, you will receive direct technical support from CAPD staff subject matter experts to answer questions and assist with CAPD data and tools. In addition, you will receive national recognition on the EmPOWER Air Data Challenge website and have opportunities to present your findings to EPA staff.
For students, an EmPOWER Air Data Challenge project can contribute to a thesis or dissertation. By the end of 2024, at least four dissertations have prominently featured work from EmPOWER Air Data Challenge projects.
How will EPA typically collaborate with winners on a project?
Collaboration may include:
- Facilitating access to CAPD datasets and resources that may enhance your project.
- Describing data, including collection methods and uncertainties.
- Conducting regular check ins and feedback sessions to discuss project or data challenges.
- Connecting you with other Government or academic researchers working on complimentary research.
- Providing platforms for you to present your findings and solutions.
- Exploring opportunities for continued collaboration beyond the challenge, fostering long-term relationships between researchers and EPA staff.
EPA CAPD staff will tailor the types of interaction based upon project proposals, providing technical support needed to understand and use the CAPD data and tools to successfully complete each project. Collaboration may include regular meetings with EPA staff, email contact, and status updates to proactively address any issues.
Do I need to have a strong scientific or engineering background to get involved?
The EmPOWER Air Data Challenge aims to make CAPD emissions, allowance, and environmental monitoring data more understandable to the public, a goal that’s benefitted by many types of skills and knowledge sets. Even without scientific or engineering expertise, you could offer creative insight into educating stakeholders, exploring opportunities to use CAPD data in the classroom, and crafting new communication tools.
We encourage you to design a project that applies your unique skills and interests to any of the potential project themes: analyzing data, enhancing communication, developing technology and data mashups, promoting environmental education, and improving data quality.
What funding is available for winning projects?
The EPA does not provide funding or financial prizes for the selected project proposals. However, you are encouraged to reach out to potential funding sources for additional financial support if needed.
Are internships available for challenge winners?
At this time, EPA CAPD cannot support paid internships for members of the Challenge research teams. However, we encourage students to look at EPA’s student internships web page for more information about opportunities at EPA.
Are all CAPD data public?
Yes, all CAPD data resources are public information and can be cited in any published literature. For more information about the data, please visit CAPD’s Data and Tools webpage.
What data does CAPD collect?
CAPD collects emissions, allowance, and environmental monitoring data, as well as a variety of facility information. Please visit CAPD’s Data and Tools webpage for more information.
EmPOWER Air Data Challenge project submissions must include at least one of the following datasets:
- Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) data: eGRID provides annual power plant air emissions, emission rates, electricity generation, heat input, resource mix and other attributes for almost all the electric power generated in the United States. It includes data for electricity generation units that are grid connected and greater than 1 megawatt (MW) of nameplate capacity. The data are available at plant level, state, and power sector regions (e.g., balancing authority, NERC regions).
- CAPD’s Power Sector Emissions Data: the Power Sector Emissions Data includes hourly emissions and operations data from over 4,000 electricity generating units. These data are used to assess compliance with emission reduction programs like the Acid Rain Program and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. This dataset includes information on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon dioxide (CO2); operating parameters, like hourly heat input and gross electricity output; and facility attributes, like location, fuel types, monitoring systems, and air pollution controls.
- Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) Data: the CASTNET monitoring program provides environmental quality measurements to assess long-term trends in air quality and deposition and provide accountability for emission reduction programs. CASTNET measures hourly ozone concentrations to support EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and regional transport evaluations. Weekly gaseous (SO2, HNO3) and aerosol (SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, Cl-) concentrations are also collected at more than 90 sites.
- CAMD Allowance Trading Program Data: the Allowance Trading Program Data are used to assess compliance with several cap-and-trade programs like the Acid Rain Program and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. The data include allowance allocations, allowance holdings, allowance transactions, and account information.
Project submissions may include additional datasets not listed here.
If my proposal is selected for the EmPOWER Air Data Challenge, will I be able to publish my results in a peer-reviewed publication?
Yes. EPA will work with project teams who wish to publish their analysis in a peer-reviewed journal to determine the best way to highlight the winning projects on the challenge website without conflicting with journal rules limiting submission of previously published work.
How is the cooperation memorialized for selected project proposals?
After a proposal is selected by the EPA review team, the primary contact for the selected proposal will receive a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) that describes the goals of the Challenge, EPA’s authorities to operate the Challenge, primary points of contact, responsibilities, limitations, treatment of proprietary information and intellectual property, and procedures for modifying or terminating the agreement.
Application Process
Who can apply to the EmPOWER Air Data Challenge?
Anyone affiliated with an accredited college or university or research institution (e.g., think tank) can submit an application. This includes research fellows, students with faculty leadership, Ph.D. candidates, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty. Additional details are available on the EmPOWER Air Data Challenge website.
How can I apply?
To apply, complete the EmPOWER 4 Application Form (pdf) and send that along with your project description by email to EmPOWER@epa.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 14, 2025. Applications should address all stages of the proposed project, including the approach you will take, timeline, and type of results and/or product of the project. Applications should be no more than eight pages (excluding the Application Form).
How will the applications be reviewed?
A review panel of EPA staff will individually assess and assign scores for each application based upon the evaluation criteria. After the scoring process, the review panel will meet to reach a consensus on the selected proposal(s). The evaluation criteria include: clarity and effectiveness of proposed approach (40%), project outcomes (40%), and partner capabilities (20%). Additional details are available on the EmPOWER Air Data Challenge website.
How many applications will be selected?
EPA expects to select up to three projects. Additional projects may be chosen depending on the staff resources needed to support each project.
When will I find out if my submission has been selected?
EPA will notify applicants of the project decisions on or before April 14, 2025.
If my submission is selected, when will my project begin?
After EPA notifies the primary contact for the selected proposal, EPA will provide a draft MOU that outlines the terms of the cooperation. Once both parties have signed the MOU, you can begin working on your project with the goal of completing the project before the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.