The Geothermal Energy Operations and Lithium Innovation (GEO/LI) fund projects that develop and demonstrate technologies to reduce impacts from scaling and corrosion at geothermal power plants in California or advance processes to enhance the recovery of lithium and other valuable minerals from geothermal brine at the Salton Sea geothermal field.
Donor Name: California Energy Commission (CEC)
State: California
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/15/2024
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Project Focus
Project teams will be expected to have demonstrated expertise necessary to accomplish the objectives below. Applicants are encouraged to seek input from, or partner with, geothermal operators to ensure commercial feasibility of the innovation(s).
Each project must fall within one of the following project groups:
- Group 1: Preventing Scaling and Corrosion in Geothermal Facilities
- This group will target improvements in geothermal infrastructure and processes to reduce operation and maintenance costs associated with managing a highly corrosive and high-saline environment.
- Group 2: Recovering Minerals and Decreasing Waste Products from Geothermal Brine
- This group will target advancements in pre-treatment, co-product recovery, and waste reduction processes to improve the profitability of mineral recovery from geothermal brine. Projects that solely focus on lithium recovery without addressing one of the goals under item b) below will not be considered. Projects must include field testing at a geothermal power plant at the Salton Sea geothermal field.
- Group 3: Comprehensive Brine Management Concepts to Reduce Operating Costs and Improve Mineral Recovery
- This group will target projects that develop comprehensive approaches to managing geothermal brine at the Salton Sea geothermal field that simultaneously address issues affecting geothermal power production, mineral recovery, and overall efficiency and costs. Projects will be expected to advance technology concepts through computer modeling and lab testing if appropriate.
Funding Information
There is up to $23,000,000 available for grants awarded under this solicitation.
- Group 1: Preventing Scaling and Corrosion in Geothermal Facilities
- Available CEC funding: $9,000,000
- Minimum CEC award: $3,000,000
- Maximum CEC award: $5,000,000
- Group 2: Recovering Minerals and Decreasing Waste Products from Geothermal Brine
- Available CEC funding: $9,000,000
- Minimum CEC award: $3,000,000
- Maximum CEC award: $5,000,000
- Group 3: Comprehensive Brine Management Concepts to Reduce Operating Costs and Improve Mineral Recovery
- Available CEC funding: $5,000,000
- Minimum CEC award: $2,000,000
- Maximum CEC award: $3,000,000.
Eligibility Criteria
This solicitation is open to all public and private entities with the exception of local publicly owned electric utilities. In accordance with CPUC Decision 12-05-037, funds administered by the CEC may not be used for any purposes associated with local publicly owned electric utility activities.
For more information, visit CEC.
