DOE splits $126M in awards for clean energy research, development between 90 small businesses

Grants totaling $126 million were announced by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) this week as awards to small businesses’ efforts in pursuit of clean energy and decarbonization, cybersecurity, reliability, fusion energy and nuclear nonproliferation.

A total of 106 awards were doled out, though they were split between 90 small businesses spread across 27 states. Phase II research and development is underway in all cases, and the support from the DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards will help them to continue. Each either demonstrated feasibility for innovations during Phase I efforts or are building out prototypes and process development from previous awards.

“Big ideas become realities in the labs, workshops, factories, and plants of America’s small businesses,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “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.”

Project topic areas include items like additive manufacturing techniques for space applications and radiation detection, energy systems cybersecurity, advanced energy storage and power conversion system, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, hydrogen and fuel cell technology, vehicle technology, carbon capture and removal, nuclear energy and waste technologies, fusion energy systems and more.

California was the state with the largest contingent of recipients, with 22 grants earned.