The EmPOWER Air Data Challenge, hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), invites academics and researchers to develop innovative analyses, tools, and visualizations using power sector and environmental quality data. The challenge aims to enhance the understanding of the impacts of electricity generation and use on environmental quality, focusing specifically on air quality and emissions. By utilizing EPA’s Clean Air and Power Division’s datasets, participants are expected to contribute valuable insights into the management and reduction of environmental pollution through analytical methods and innovative applications.

The datasets provided for this challenge include the Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID), which compiles annual power plant emissions, emission rates, electricity generation, and other attributes for nearly all U.S. electric power. Another dataset, the Power Sector Emissions Data, covers hourly emissions and operational data from over 4,000 electricity generating units, providing details on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Additionally, the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) Data offers long-term air quality and deposition trends through hourly ozone and weekly gaseous concentrations. Lastly, the CAMD Allowance Trading Program Data is crucial for assessing compliance with cap-and-trade programs, offering insights into emission allowances and transactions.

The challenge seeks to foster advancements in the understanding, use, and application of these datasets, which are essential for evaluating air quality, emission controls, and regulatory compliance. The data can be leveraged for creating tools and visualizations that inform both scientific communities and policy makers. A key expectation is that submissions will incorporate at least one of the aforementioned datasets, although additional datasets may also be used to enrich the analyses.

Applicants will have the opportunity to attend an informational webinar hosted by the EPA on January 14 at 2:00 PM Eastern. This session will provide additional details on the challenge application process and help participants understand how to best utilize the available datasets. The webinar is an essential resource for those considering entering the challenge, offering guidance on the datasets, submission process, and expectations.

The deadline for submissions is March 14, 2025, at 10:59 PM GMT-5. This extended submission period provides ample time for participants to formulate and submit their projects. As the competition progresses, further information may become available to assist applicants in refining their submissions. The challenge aims to foster meaningful contributions that will advance air quality analysis and the use of power sector data in environmental assessments.

The challenge is open to a wide array of applicants, particularly those in academia and research fields. Specific details on the eligibility requirements are not provided, but it is clear that participants should have expertise in data analysis, environmental science, or a related field. Those interested in participating should ensure that their submissions align with the goals of the challenge and leverage the provided datasets effectively.