CX-100889 Accelerated Discovery of Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production Materials via High-Throughput Computational and Experimental Methods

Accelerated Discovery of Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production Materials via High-Throughput Computational and Experimental Methods
Award Number: DE-EE0008087
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Fuel Cells Technologies Office
Location(s): CO
Office(s): Golden Field Office

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to Colorado School of Mines (CSM) for the development of Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production (STCH) materials to meet DOE cost and efficiency goals. Project work would occur within existing laboratories at CSM and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado with a small portion of experimental testing occurring at Sandia National Laboratory’s Combustion Research Facility in Livermore, California. This is a three-year research project that includes three budget periods. Only Budget Period 1 (BP1) is being negotiated at this time so this NEPA review is for BP1 activities only. Additional NEPA review will be required if DOE proposes to continue funding the project into subsequent budget periods.

Project work includes the modeling, synthesis, and testing of new advanced STCH oxide materials which would include chemical synthesis of transition-metal oxides for use in bulk testing and as targets for pulse laser deposition, and thermal analysis testing and other materials characterization through x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Project work would occur in existing facilities/laboratories designed for this type of work that would utilize standard laboratory equipment; therefore no modifications, new permits, additional licenses and/or authorizations would be necessary. No ground disturbing activities, no changes in operation of existing facilities, and no installation of equipment outdoors would occur at any of the facilities involved in the project. Project work would involve the use and handling of various hazardous materials, including metal oxide precursors and industrial solvents. Each of the facilities utilizing hazardous materials would follow the proper procedures for the handling and disposal of those materials in accordance with each of the facility’s existing environmental health and safety plans and procedures as well as all federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Additional policies and procedures would be implemented as necessary if new health and safety risks are identified. Other non-hazardous wastes would be disposed of in accordance with established guidelines at each facility. DOE does not anticipate any impacts to resources of concern due to the proposed activities of the project.