US DOE to support domestic manufacturing with US$24.5mn

The US Department of Energy (DOE) reports its plans to support domestic manufacturing improvements to build resilient, modern electricity infrastructure and address environmental challenges.

The DOE plans to fund up to US$24.5mn to back the research and development (R&D) for the materials and technologies needed to:

• Expand the grid with new, clean-energy sources
• Deliver affordable electricity to disadvantaged communities
• Help reach Biden’s target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

“By investing in American-made, clean-energy technologies, the Department of Energy is harnessing our country’s innovative spirit to build an equitable and sustainable energy system. These funding opportunities will help manufacture the next-generation energy storage systems and power lines that support President Biden’s climate goals, create and sustain U.S. jobs, and build a strong, secure, and efficient electric grid,” commented Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

The US Department of Energy (DOE)’s funding opportunities

Enhancing flow battery system manufacturing

As part of the ‘Flow Battery Systems Manufacturing’ funding opportunity, the DOE will award up to US$20mn for R&D projects focusing on flow battery systems. “By partnering with industry to address flow battery challenges, this opportunity can help position the United States as a world leader in the next-generation energy storage technologies,” commented the DOE.

Advancing electricity-conducing materials manufacturing

As part of The Conductivity-enhanced materials for Affordable, Breakthrough Leapfrog Electric applications (CABLE) Conductor Manufacturing Prize which will award up to $4.5 million in cash and vouchers, DOE will support the commercialisation of affordable, manufacturable materials that will conduct electricity more efficiently.

CABLE is a three-stage, three-year prize, where participants aim to identify and verify new materials and methods to enhance conductivity, as well as a method to produce the material affordably.

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