LPDD

Pathway 2.

Cross-Cutting Approaches to Reducing Emissions → Technological Innovation

2.3.1 Promoting Decarbonization through R&D

LPDD Recommendation: “The federal government should provide direct funding of R&D for carbon reduction technologies.”

Federal nuclear research grants

Congress, Individual Agencies
In 2017, DOE announced nearly $67 million in grants awarded towards advanced nuclear energy research. Congressional appropriations for fiscal year 2019 approved $1.33 billion in funding for DOE’s nuclear energy research.

Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear

Individual Agencies
Seeks to provide the nuclear community with access to the technical, regulatory, and financial support necessary to move innovative nuclear energy technologies toward commercialization.

DOE Advanced Battery R&D Awards

Individual Agencies
Including a collective $5.7M award to Battery500, $19M in awards for twelve new cost-shared research projects focused on batteries and vehicle electrification technologies, and $59 million for 43 projects for advanced vehicle technologies research.

Advanced Technologies Vehicle Manufacturing Program

Congress, Federal Agencies and Departments
Provides direct loans to automotive or component manufacturers for reequipping, expanding, or establishing manufacturing facilities in the U.S. that produce fuel-efficient advanced technology vehicles or qualifying components.

NYSERDA Smart Grid Funding

State Agencies
Including a $15 million Future Grid Challenge, $30 million into the High Performing Grid program, and $5 million specifically to support research on integrating renewable energy onto the grid.

SunShot Initiative

Individual Agencies
The DOE’s SunShot Initiative was launched in 2011 with the goal of reducing the cost of solar energy 75% by 2020, which target was met three years early. The program has set a 2030 goal to halve that target again.