The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $10.9 million for 10 projects across nine states that will advance innovative technologies to extract and convert battery-grade lithium from geothermal brine sources in the United States. This work will increase America’s access to cost-effective, domestic sources of this critical material needed for batteries for stationary storage and electric vehicles to meet the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals of 50% electric vehicle adoption by 2030 and a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
Currently, the United States has limited capabilities to produce and refine domestically sourced lithium. Direct lithium extraction from geothermal brines represents an opportunity to domestically produce lithium hydroxide—the form of lithium used for advanced batteries—in an efficient and environmentally friendly way.
“A strong, domestic supply chain for lithium is crucial for our nation’s clean energy economy,” said Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). ”This investment will support innovations leading to safe and sustainable production of the lithium we need for batteries for electric vehicles and the grid right here at home.”
Related: Sizing Up the Challenges in Extracting Lithium from Geothermal Brine
The 10 projects were selected from two Topic Areas:
Click here for the full list of selected projects.
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