IMPEL launches call for Innovator Applications:
IMPEL invites entrepreneurs, building/construction/energy/policy/workforce professionals, small business owners, national labs researchers, university faculty members, graduate students, and all other innovators with applicable projects to apply to their free program for the upcoming season! IMPEL provides entrepreneurs-at-large with coaching, mentoring, and powerful pipelines to funding opportunities in support of the built environment, i.e. projects for buildings, smartgrid, and renewables.
This year IMPEL will focus on projects from a range of topics including hardware, software, services, solutions, and programs. Each selected project gets segmented into one of the categories listed below.
Decarbonize: radically reduce emissions for a zero-carbon built environment
Digitalize: smartly connect buildings, EVs, renewables, energy storage, distributed energy resources, people, and organizations
Democratize: provide just and equitable access to wellness in a resilient living environment
IMPEL has helped 165 early-stage Innovator teams secure $20M+ in non-dilutive and private funding and create ~100 jobs since it was established in 2019. Alumni are based in 25 U.S. states and over 50% are non-white and/or non-male. As the program continues to grow, they hope to continue to broaden their pool of Innovator pool with increased gender, racial, and regional diversity.
The priority deadline is November 15th, but spots are already filling up! Please apply and/or forward this information to others who may be interested in this opportunity. To learn more about IMPEL, please visit impel.lbl.gov, or watch the IMPEL Kickoff Webinar.
Notice of Intent: Lithium Extraction & Conversion from Geothermal Brines (DE-FOA-0002823)
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Advanced Manufacturing Office and Geothermal Technologies Office, a joint Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Lithium Extraction & Conversion from Geothermal Brines”.
Through this FOA, EERE seeks to address gaps in domestic supply chains for lithium batteries for electric vehicles and stationary storage. The U.S. currently has limited production of lithium from domestic sources and also lacks domestic capabilities to refine materials needed to support component manufacturing – including lithium hydroxide needed for lithium battery cathode production. Geothermal brines have proven to be a sustainable resource of critical materials including lithium. Direct lithium extraction from geothermal brines represents an opportunity to produce lithium hydroxide from domestic sources in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
For more information please visit here.