Learn more about Critical Materials and Minerals

Low temperature geothermal resources offer opportunities for electricity production, heating and cooling, and other uses. Learn about these technologies and how the Office of Geothermal supports advances via R&D projects.

Idaho National Laboratory’s Characterization of Lithium and Other Critical Minerals of Smackover Formation, Louisiana project is investigating unexplored lithium potential in deep subsurface brines.

A competition engaging students from middle school to graduate school led by the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). Students pursue innovative ideas for the development, design, and invention of technologies within the commercial algae value chain.

The Office of Geothermal-funded American-Made Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize advanced the development of economic direct lithium extraction (DLE) from the hot water used to produce geothermal energy, known as geothermal brines.

The GeoFlight Initiative, an Office of Geothermal and Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey joint effort, seeks to capture surface and near-surface geologic data to identify new geothermal prospects and potential areas for critical minerals.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO) today announced its intent to fund the advancement of novel, high-impact chemical technologies.