DOE awards $35M to companies developing clean energy technologies

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding $35 million to businesses to develop clean energy technologies.

The funding will support 158 projects — from climate research tools to improved batteries for electric vehicles. The investment will support President Joe Biden’s goal of a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.

“Supporting small businesses will ensure we are tapping into all of America’s talent to develop clean energy technologies that will help us tackle the climate crisis,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “DOE’s investments will enable these economic engines to optimize and commercialize their breakthroughs while developing the next generation of climate leaders and helping to build a sustainable future to benefit all Americans.”

This funding comes through the DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. SBIR/STTR awardees have reported over $1.7 billion in sales resulting from funding awards.

Among the current list of companies that received grants is Birch Biosciences from Portland, Ore., which will develop next-generation plastic recycling technology using synthetic biology to enable sustainability. The award amount is $256,492.

Coreform LLC from Orem, Utah, was awarded $256,500 to accelerate the development of a new simulation technology capable of running highly complex simulations to enable more efficient product design.

Other winners include ExMat Research from Spokane, Wash. ($250,000); Greenway Energy from Aiken, SC ($200,000); and Novoreach Technologies from Midland, Mich. ($200,000).