The Department of Energy has announced it is awarding $126 million to 90 different small businesses across 27 states that are actively involved in clean energy research and development projects. The projects cover multiple categories, including decarbonization, grid reliability, fusion energy, and nuclear nonproliferation. The awards also support the development of specialized technologies that aid in scientific discovery.
According to the DOE, American small businesses play a critical role in creating a bridge between the scientific laboratory and the commercial marketplace. The funds will help transition technology breakthroughs into viable products and services.
“Big ideas become realities in the labs, workshops, factories, and plants of America’s small businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Small businesses tackle monumental issues all over the country, including climate change. DOE’s small business grants help companies across the country to develop the technologies, products, and infrastructure we will need for the transition to clean energy.”
All recipients are either Phase II research and development projects that demonstrated feasibility during Phase I or Phase II projects that are continuing prototype and process development from previous Phase II awards.
Examples of project topic areas that will receive funding include:
- Advanced energy storage and power conversion systems for energy equity
- Advanced grid technologies
- Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies
- Geothermal, solar, waterpower, and wind energy
- Bioenergy
- Carbon capture and removal, management, and storage
- Fusion energy systems
