The US Government will fund multiple lithium extraction projects domestically, in an effort to improve battery mineral supply for US EV makers. 

THIS WEEK, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced US$11 million for 10 projects across nine states, to speed the transition for local lithium extraction.

The projects all advance innovative technologies to extract and convert battery-grade lithium from geothermal brine sources in the United States.

“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 the safe and sustainable production of the lithium we need for batteries for electric vehicles and the grid right here at home.” 

The 10 projects were selected from two Topic Areas: 

Field Validation of Lithium Hydroxide Production from Geothermal Brines:  

Pilot or demonstration projects to validate cost-effective, innovative lithium extraction and lithium hydroxide conversion technologies.  

Applied Research & Development for Direct Lithium Extraction from Geothermal Brines:  
Research and development projects to advance emerging direct lithium extraction process technologies to increase efficiency, reduce waste generation, and/or reduce cost. 

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.  

The goals of these projects align with DOE’s Critical Minerals and Materials Program, the Energy Storage Grand Challenge Roadmap, the Federal Consortium on Advanced Batteries National Blueprint for Lithium Batteries, and the  American Battery Materials Initiative.

List of investments outlined by the US Department of Energy.