While
geothermal power is an attractive potential source for sustainable energy
production, the high heat temperature requirements (typically >150°C) of
most geothermal capture systems constrain geographic distribution and economic
viability of geothermal energy production. Advancement of strategic material or
mineral recovery aims to address this limitation. By partnering with geothermal
and mineral industry stakeholders to develop additional revenue streams from
brines, the economic viability of geothermal projects will increase while also
allowing for increased geographic diversity of this clean, round-the-clock
energy source.
Rare earths and strategic minerals are
essential for modern industry, especially clean-energy technologies, but are
subject to supply risk in the face of ever-increasing demand. As an example,
consumer uses of lithium batteries have soared over the last decade, powering
everything from electric cars to tablets to cell phones. Global demand for
lithium carbonate is expected to exceed 250,000 tons by 2017—a 60% increase
over current usage. As demand grows in this burgeoning market, a reliable supply
of critical materials for advanced manufacturing technologies is a growing
concern. This program aims to help alleviate this type of supply bottleneck.
The Energy Department seeks up
to ten 1-2 year feasibility and/or applied R&D projects that will lead to
commercialized technologies. Geothermal mining of rare earth and near-critical
metals are the focus of this research, with the intent to effectively lower the
cost of geothermal energy production while diversifying and stabilizing the
supply of critical materials for domestic industries. To learn more about the
‘Low-Temperature Mineral Recovery Program’ funding opportunity, click here. Register for an
informative webinar to learn more about the strategic material extraction and
this opportunity.
The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates development and
facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies
and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental
quality, and economic vitality. EERE supports innovative technologies that
reduce both risk and costs of bringing geothermal power online. Learn more
about the Department's efforts to develop geothermal energy.