U.S. DoE to invest $75 mln in decarbonization tech

The United States Department of Energy has earmarked $75 million for cost-shared development projects including carbon capture systems and decarbonization of natural gas power and industrials sectors.

The investment was sanctioned under the Funding Opportunity Announcement, Carbon Capture R&D for Natural Gas and Industrial Sources and Front-End Engineering Design Studies for Carbon Capture Systems at Industrial Facilities and Natural Gas Plants.

“Research, development, demonstration and deployment of decarbonization technologies in the industrial sector will drive the energy transition needed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, while engaging communities and local populations and empowering them in the decision-making process,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Jennifer Wilcox. “And projects under this FOA will help move us closer to that goal.”

The DOE-FE Carbon Capture Program works to identify and advance technologies with the goal of decreasing the cost, improving the efficiency, and promoting strategic demonstration and deployment of carbon capture. This funding is focused on carbon capture and storage for power generation and industrial applications, with a goal of commercial deployment by 2030.

By developing innovative technologies to decarbonize natural gas and industrial facilities and by supporting their commercial deployment, this FOA will support the U.S. in achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and a net-zero carbon pollution economy by 2050.

Notably, this FOA, for the first time, will require applicants to submit a comprehensive summary of both environmental justice implications and jobs impacts. The jobs analysis focuses on the creation of jobs located in power plants and industrial communities that are economically distressed and/or have been disproportionately harmed by the adverse environmental impacts of these industries. Applicants will be asked to discuss not only the nature of the jobs, but also recruitment strategies for underrepresented groups and workers from the local community.