The U.S Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, a new DOE office aimed at supporting clean energy technology demonstration projects in areas including clean hydrogen, carbon capture, small modular reactors, and grid-scale energy storage, among others.
The announcement follows the recent signing into law by President Biden of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which earmarked over $20 billion in funding for clean energy demonstrations and research hubs, aimed at accelerating the administration’s goals to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 and a net-zero-carbon economy by 2050. With a focus on next-generation clean energy solutions, the law allocates $8 billion to clean hydrogen technologies, over $10 billion to carbon capture, direct air capture, and industrial emission reduction and $2.5 billion for advanced nuclear.
Demonstration projects prove the effectiveness of innovative technologies in real-world conditions at scale. The demonstrations also aim to unlock follow-on investment from the private sector and enable widespread adoption and deployment of the new technologies.
The DOE stated that the office’s programs also include billions to invest in demonstration projects in rural areas and economically hard-hit communities, as part of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, aimed at delivering 40% of clean energy investment benefits to disadvantaged communities, and those experiencing the worst impacts of climate change.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said:
“Thanks to the investments Congress made in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations will move clean energy technologies out of the lab and into local and regional economies across the country, proving the value of technologies that can deliver for communities, businesses, and markets. This new office will hire the best and brightest talent to invest in cutting edge clean energy projects, and DOE is calling on anyone dedicated to addressing the climate crisis to roll up their sleeves and join us.”
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