Workshop on Lithium Recovery from Geothermal Brine, Nov. 15, 2018

The Lead Commissioner for Renewable Energy of the California Energy Commission , David Hochschild , will conduct a workshop facilitating a conversation about lithium recovery from geothermal brine. Other commissioners from the Energy Commission may attend the workshop . A quorum of commissioners may be in attendance , but no votes will be taken.

• Thursday, November 15, 2018 1 :00 p.m.-5 :00 p.m.
• CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
• 1516 Ninth Street First Floor, Art Rosenfeld Hearing Room
• Sacramento , California 95814-5512 (Wheelchair Accessible )
• Remote Access by Computer or Phone via WebEx ™ (Instructions below)

Agenda

Lead Commissioner David Hochschild and Californ ia Energy Commission staff will seek input from stakeholde rs including developers of lithium recovery technologies , lithium marketers , geothermal facility operators , investors , local governments , and state and federal agencies involved in lithium recovery from geothermal brine . The workshop will include presentations and panel discussions on the following topics:

• Demand for Development – discussion on the demand for lithium and the additional benefits development of lithium extraction can bring to the geothermal community , local municipalities , battery manufacturers , and the state . •
• Barriers and Opportunities – discussion on the current state of lithium recovery and production in California , the barriers that need to be overcome to expand production , and the opportunities lithium recovery offers for stakeholders and government agencies .
• Policy and Funding Priorities – discussion of the needs and opportunities for policy and financial support of the entire lithium production process and what may be needed to mitigate risks for citizens , investors , developers and the state

An agenda will be posted prior to the workshop at

https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Lists/Docketlog .aspx?docketnumber= 17-GRDA-01

Background

The Energy Commission recognizes that the demand for lithium is likely to increase in the immediate future due to a growing demand for battery storage to support transportation electrification and the integration of storage technologies in all scales of renewable energy generation . An increase in demand for lithium coupled with advances in processes and technologies for lithium recovery , may provide California a unique opportunity to foster an environmentally beneficial market. Increased recovery of lithium from geothermal brine is also estimated to bring with it large revenues , local economic development opportunities within the state , and an opportunity to secure a world class source of battery-grade lithium within California .

The Energy Commission also has a long history of promoting the development of geothermal energy resources and technologies including funding projects that research and demonstrate lithium and other mineral recovery from geothermal brine. At this critical point in time for lithium use and production , Energy Commission staff seek to better understand the issues and opportunities created by the extraction of lithium from geothermal brines .

For any inquiries and questions pertaining to the Energy Commission ‘s efforts to work with stakeholders involved in the recovery of lithium from geothermal brines , please contact Elisabeth de Jong by email at Elisabeth .deJong@energy .ca.gov or phone at (916) 654-4878 .

Further details via the link below.

Source: California Energy Commission