U.S. Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize Challenge
Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize banner (Source: American-Made Challenges website)
Carlo Cariaga
2 Aug 2021
Phase 1 submission for the U.S. Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize Challenge has been extended to September 2, 2021.
The submission deadline for Phase 1 of the US Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize Challenge has been extended to September 2, 2021. This is a two-month extension from the original deadline.
The eligibility criteria has also been expanded to allow for individuals associated with small businesses, as well as university incubators that have teamed with partners at a US academic institution.
The American-Made Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize is designed to find solutions that de-risk and increase market viability for direct lithium extraction (DLE) from geothermal brines. Advancement of DLE technologies allow for improved methods that lower cost, lessen environmental impact and further the mission to turn the threat of climate change into an opportunity to revitalize the U.S. energy and critical materials supply chain.
Lithium from geothermal brines is an attractive approach in sourcing Lithium locally and is seen as of strategic importance for independence from having to source Lithium internationally not only for the United States.
The Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize
Lithium is a major component of high-charge-density batteries for electric vehicles and grid-scale electricity storage. It is expected that global demand for lithium will increase by 500% by 2050 due to widespread adoption of electric vehicles and grid-scale battery storage, making lithium supplies a crucial element in the clean energy supply chain.
The current U.S. lithium stock is almost entirely imported, with only 1% of U.S. lithium supply being sourced domestically. Traditional sources of lithium are environmentally destructive and cost-prohibitive due to the complexity of the extraction process. The combination of rapidly expanding global demand and lack of a secure domestic supply has created an urgency to develop a safe, domestic, and cost-competitive source of lithium. Advancements in domestic geothermal lithium extraction will also help ensure American leadership in the transition to a carbon-free economy and clean energy job creation throughout a robust domestic supply chain.
Prize Structure
The Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize consists of three phases that will fast-track efforts to identify, develop, and test disruptive solutions to improve the profitability of DLE from geothermal brines. Each stage will include a contest period when participants work to rapidly advance their solutions.
Important Dates
Phase 1: Idea & Concept
- Phase 1 submission deadline: September 2, 2021 11 p.m. CEST
- Phase 1 semifinalists announced, and Phase 2 begins: Expected November 1, 2021
Phase 2: Design & Invent
- Phase 2 submission opens: Expected November 2, 2021
- Phase 2 virtual innovation pitches with IAP: Expected January 10, 2022
- Phase 2 submission deadline: Expected February 4, 2022
- Phase 2 finalists announced, and Phase 3 begins: Expected March 1, 2022
Phase 3: Fabricate & Test
- Phase 3 submission opens: Expected March 1, 2022
- Phase 3 submission deadline: Expected March 1, 2023
- Phase 3 winners announced: Expected April 30, 2023
All dates are subject to change including contest openings, deadlines, and announcements. Sign up for updates on our HeroX challenge page.
Source: American-Made Challenges
