The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the allocation of $52 million in grants to support clean energy research and development projects across 39 states. These grants, in line with President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aim to address a wide range of challenges, including cybersecurity for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, radiation threat detection, and lithium metal battery manufacturing.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to supporting small businesses and fostering economic growth. The grants, awarded through the DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, primarily focus on Phase I research and development, with a limited number of Fast-Track awards combining Phase I and II.
The projects cover various areas, including cybersecurity, energy security, emergency response, defense nuclear nonproliferation, electricity, energy efficiency, renewable energy, fossil energy, carbon management, and nuclear energy. Additionally, 20 projects totaling $8 million are funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The DOE’s SBIR/STTR program aims to ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of energy science and engineering, while also facilitating commercial impact and reaching disadvantaged communities. Previous grantees have raised $8.6 billion in private-sector follow-on funding and reported numerous inventions and patent applications between 2009 and 2018.
Among the selected projects, Advanced Grid Technologies aims to extend the lifetime and reliability of distribution transformers, addressing the current shortage of these vital components. Resonant Link will focus on optimizing electric transit through high-power wireless charging, supporting sustainable urban mobility. Atlantic Biomass Conversions aims to develop a low-cost system for producing sustainable aviation fuels from perennial feedstocks. RookStack plans to create an artificial intelligence solution for accurately sizing residential heating and cooling equipment, reducing equipment oversizing. RhinoCorps will investigate new approaches and technologies to enhance security systems in nuclear facilities, aiming to reduce operational costs. Nokomis Inc. will develop a hardware-based cyberthreat detection technology for securing electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
These grants mark a significant step towards achieving the Biden administration’s clean energy goals and fostering innovation in the sector. The DOE’s SBIR/STTR program continues to play a crucial role in driving technological advancements and supporting small businesses across the United States.