Energy Department announces up to $100M for solar fuels research
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced Feb. 19 that it would provide up to $100 million over five years for research on the production of fuels from sunlight, known as artificial photosynthesis.
The funding will support the establishment of either one large or two smaller DOE Energy Innovation Hubs. The integrated multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research teams will work to accelerate the fundamental scientific breakthroughs required to enable solar fuel production, the generation of usable fuels directly from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
“Sunlight is our most basic energy source, and the ability to generate fuels directly from sunlight has the potential to transform our energy economy and vastly enhance U.S. energy security,” Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar said. “This effort will ensure that American scientists continue to lead in the highly challenging but extremely promising area of artificial photosynthesis research.”
Applications will take the form of multi-institutional proposals submitted by a single lead institution. Eligible lead and partner institutions include universities, nonprofits, DOE national laboratories, and other federal laboratories and agencies.
Total planned funding is up to $100 million for awards starting in Fiscal Year 2020 and up to five years in duration, DOE said. Outyear funding is contingent on congressional appropriations.
