WaveSave Selected for Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge

The Trust for Governors Island has selected WaveSave as one of seven winners of the 2026 Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge.

Through the Governors Island Climate Piloting Program, WaveSave will pilot SLAMDAM in a real-world waterfront setting in New York City. The rapidly deployable mobile flood barrier will demonstrate how temporary infrastructure can help cities prepare for flooding caused by coastal storms and heavy rainfall.

The selection brings SLAMDAM to one of New York’s leading environments for testing practical urban climate solutions.

Selected by The Trust for Governors Island

The third annual Climate Solutions Challenge sought technologies that can help New York City and other densely populated areas adapt to climate pressures. These include chronic flooding, extreme heat and water shortages.

WaveSave joined six other selected winners whose projects address urgent urban climate risks. The Trust specifically identified SLAMDAM as a rapidly deployable system that can help communities manage flooding from coastal storms and intense rainfall.

The selection gives WaveSave access to the Governors Island Climate Piloting Program. Winners receive grant support, technical assistance, marketing visibility and opportunities to connect with public agencies, customers, investors and other climate partners.

  • Award
  • Omar Saleh
  • 2026
  • Reading time: 3 min
Large black water-filled barrier labeled "Sandbaggy" blocks moving water near a shoreline on Governors Island, with waves splashing against it—a scene reminiscent of innovations showcased in the Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge.

Quick answer

The Trust for Governors Island selected WaveSave as a winner of its 2026 Climate Solutions Challenge. WaveSave will pilot SLAMDAM, a reusable water-filled mobile flood barrier, on Governors Island in New York City. The pilot will explore how temporary flood protection can support cities facing coastal storms and heavy rainfall.

Selected by The Trust for Governors Island

The third annual Climate Solutions Challenge sought technologies that can help New York City and other densely populated areas adapt to climate pressures. These include chronic flooding, extreme heat and water shortages.

WaveSave joined six other selected winners whose projects address urgent urban climate risks. The Trust specifically identified SLAMDAM as a rapidly deployable system that can help communities manage flooding from coastal storms and intense rainfall.

The selection gives WaveSave access to the Governors Island Climate Piloting Program. Winners receive grant support, technical assistance, marketing visibility and opportunities to connect with public agencies, customers, investors and other climate partners.

 

Large black water-filled SLAMDAM barriers block floodwater; diagram below shows incoming water stopped by the barriers, protecting the area behind them—a practical solution highlighted during Climate Week NYC 2026.

Why SLAMDAM fits the challenge

Cities often need to protect vulnerable locations before or during an approaching flood. However, permanent infrastructure cannot cover every building, road, utility or waterfront site.

SLAMDAM offers an additional option. Teams transport the barrier while it is empty, position it at the required location and fill it with locally available water. The water gives the system its weight and stability.

After use, teams can empty, remove and store the barrier for another deployment. This makes SLAMDAM suitable for changing risks, temporary protection and emergency-response planning.

Potential applications include:

  • Buildings and entrances
  • Roads and access routes
  • Utilities and critical infrastructure
  • Industrial and commercial sites
  • Waterfront locations
  • Temporary water diversion
  • Emergency-response exercises

 

Previous international recognition and testing have also supported SLAMDAM’s development as a practical mobile flood barrier. WaveSave has demonstrated the system in different operating environments and secured independent certification following controlled hydrodynamic testing by Malaysia’s National Hydraulic Research Institute, NAHRIM.

A real-world pilot on Governors Island

The Governors Island Climate Piloting Program gives companies an opportunity to test climate products and services outside a laboratory.

Participants can use the Island for pilot periods ranging from three to 18 months. The programme also provides access to technical support, public events and connections with potential customers, investors, funders and project partners.

Governors Island offers two miles of waterfront in New York Harbor and attracts around one million visitors each year. Therefore, it provides both a relevant physical environment and a visible public platform for climate technology.

For WaveSave, the pilot creates an opportunity to demonstrate deployment, collect practical observations and discuss possible applications with organisations responsible for flood preparedness and infrastructure.

What the SLAMDAM pilot will demonstrate

The pilot will focus on the practical use of rapidly deployable flood protection.

WaveSave will demonstrate:

  • How teams transport and position SLAMDAM
  • How locally available water activates the barrier
  • What site conditions affect deployment
  • How mobile barriers can complement permanent flood defences
  • How teams can empty and reuse the system
  • What training and operational planning users require

 

The demonstration will also support conversations about possible pilot projects elsewhere in New York City and other urban areas facing flood risk.

The pilot does not imply that one temporary system can solve every flood problem. Instead, it will show where a deployable barrier may provide a useful additional layer of protection.

Why the Governors Island pilot matters

Flood risks can vary between neighbourhoods, infrastructure assets and individual storms. Cities therefore need a range of measures rather than one standard response.

Permanent defences remain essential in locations with persistent or severe exposure. Meanwhile, temporary systems can help protect specific sites, support emergency operations or provide interim protection while organisations develop longer-term measures.

The Governors Island pilot will place that approach in a practical urban context. It will allow public agencies, engineers and infrastructure operators to assess how a mobile flood barrier works and where it may add value.

Supporting urban climate innovation

The Climate Piloting Program forms part of the Trust’s wider Center for Climate Solutions initiative. Since 2023, the programme has supported projects involving clean water, living shorelines, energy, buildings, circular systems, air quality and urban agriculture.

Its impact report shows that previous participants have used their pilots to attract customers, investment and follow-on opportunities. Collectively, participating organisations had raised nearly $15 million in investment and secured more than 130 new customers by the end of 2025.

For WaveSave, joining this environment provides more than public recognition. It creates a route to test SLAMDAM in New York, build local relationships and explore practical applications for urban flood resilience.

SLAMDAM demonstration during Climate Week NYC 2026

WaveSave also plans to demonstrate SLAMDAM on Governors Island during Climate Week NYC 2026.

The live demonstration will give visitors an opportunity to learn how the barrier is transported, filled, deployed and removed. WaveSave will also explain potential uses for coastal areas, buildings, infrastructure and emergency-response operations.

The exact date, time and visitor information will appear on our dedicated event page once confirmed.

Looking ahead

Over the coming months, WaveSave will work with The Trust for Governors Island to prepare the SLAMDAM pilot and determine the most suitable deployment approach.

We will share further updates about:

  • Pilot installation
  • Demonstration dates
  • Climate Week NYC visitor information
  • Technical observations
  • Photographs and video
  • Lessons from the pilot

 

The Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge marks an important step in bringing SLAMDAM to the United States. More importantly, it creates an opportunity to demonstrate how flexible flood protection can support cities in preparing for changing water-related risks.

 

Are you working on urban flood resilience, infrastructure protection or emergency preparedness? Contact WaveSave to discuss SLAMDAM, a demonstration or a potential pilot project.

 

Aerial view of Governors Island in New York Harbor, showing green lawns, historic buildings, and surrounding water. The site is a focal point for the Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge, with the Statue of Liberty visible in the distance.

Ocean waves washing over a paved walkway, with a metal fence and cloudy sky in the background, capturing the environmental challenges highlighted by the Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge.

Floodwater rises onto a grassy path next to a black chain-link fence along a city waterfront, with tall buildings in the background—a striking scene reminiscent of challenges addressed by the Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge.

Flooded waterfront area with sunlight reflecting off water, a chain-link fence in the foreground, and city buildings visible in the distance under a clear blue sky—capturing the kind of resilience and adaptation envisioned by the Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge.

Several boats are docked in a harbor on a cloudy day, with large black flood barriers lining the waterfront street—a striking reminder of the city's resilience and adaptation efforts highlighted during Climate Week NYC 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge?

The Governors Island Climate Solutions Challenge selects companies and organisations that can test practical climate solutions in the Island’s real-world setting. The 2026 challenge focused on technologies that help dense urban areas adapt to risks such as flooding, extreme heat and water shortages.

Why did The Trust for Governors Island select WaveSave?

The Trust selected WaveSave to pilot SLAMDAM as a rapidly deployable mobile flood barrier. The pilot will demonstrate how temporary infrastructure can help cities manage flooding caused by coastal storms and heavy rainfall.

What will WaveSave pilot on Governors Island?

WaveSave will pilot SLAMDAM, a reusable water-filled barrier for temporary flood protection, water diversion and emergency preparedness.

Can visitors see SLAMDAM during the pilot?

WaveSave plans to hold a public demonstration during Climate Week NYC 2026. The date, time and visitor information will appear on the dedicated WaveSave event page once confirmed.

 

Interested in meeting us at the event?

Contact us now