Explosive growth in data center demand, driven by the surge in the use of AI, is straining power grids, water systems, and materials supply chains. BNEF projects data centers will become a major user of electricity, consuming 1,600 terawatt-hours by 2035, about 4.4% of projected global electricity demand and comparable to some of the world’s largest economies.

This Pioneers challenge is looking for technologies that support this data center growth while meeting energy and climate goals. These could include, but are not limited to power electronics, cooling, heat reuse, onsite generation with flexible dispatch, and water efficiency solutions.

As solar and wind installations have grown, many grids have come to face steep midday net-load dips and evening ramps – the “duck curve.” In regions with high renewable deployment, this is already reducing project financial returns and slowing clean energy investment. In Spain, a market where renewables account for 50% of the electricity mix last year, average monthly realized prices for solar were 40% lower than average spot prices over the last 12 months.

This challenge seeks technologies and business models that have demonstrated success in shifting demand to better align with power supply and improving asset economics at scale. Examples include demand-side flexibility, smart EV or vehicle-to-grid charging, heat pumps with thermal storage, and municipal and utility programs with measurable results. Submissions should focus on real-world impact such as reduced curtailment, peak shaving, improved project financing or enhanced grid flexibility.

Shipping and heavy-duty road transport are among the hardest sectors to decarbonize because of their heavy reliance on fossil fuels. These segments face steep technical and economic barriers – long duty cycles, energy-dense fuel needs and fragmented infrastructure. BNEF expects carbon emissions from these sectors to fall by roughly a quarter by 2050 thanks to fuel switching and electrification, but without significant technological innovation, they will struggle to achieve net-zero emissions.

This challenge seeks innovations that significantly reduce emissions from long-haul road freight, marine shipping, and related logistics systems at the component, system, or network level. This includes, but is not limited to, zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, green fuels for shipping, fleet charging infrastructure and fleet management systems.