The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $10.2m investment in four projects aimed at advancing cost-effective and environmentally responsible processes for producing and refining critical minerals and materials domestically.
The first four projects selected for negotiation are focused on developing alternatives and substitutes for critical minerals and materials.
These projects are led by Idaho National Laboratory, Battelle Energy Alliance; Iowa State University of Science and Technology; the Pennsylvania State University; and Aspen Aerogels.
As part of their applications, the selected project teams were required to submit Community Benefits Plans to demonstrate engagement with and benefits to the communities where the projects will be located.
The DOE noted that the initiative is part of the Biden Administration's Investing in America agenda and is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
It is designed to meet the increasing demand for critical minerals and materials by developing new and alternative supplies from a broad range of domestic resources.
The investment is expected to reduce the US's reliance on offshore supplies.
Critical minerals and materials are essential for manufacturing clean energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells.
These technologies are central to achieving the ambitious climate goals set by the Biden-Harris Administration. The funding will also create good-paying jobs and support communities that have historically depended on mining and energy production.
The Critical Material Innovation, Efficiency and Alternatives funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will provide up to $150m over several rounds of project selections.
The goal is to build a secure, sustainable domestic supply of critical minerals from sources across the US.
The FOA will support bench and pilot-scale research, development and demonstration projects that strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said: “America’s clean energy and manufacturing boom will require large quantities of critical minerals and materials, which is why developing sustainable domestic resources for meeting this demand has become a Biden-Harris Administration priority.
“We are investing in innovative technologies and techniques to protect scarce mineral resources all while enhancing our energy security.”
