{"id":421029,"date":"2022-03-24T21:00:27","date_gmt":"2022-03-24T18:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-us-needs-geothermal-plants-to-boost-its-lithium-supply-and-ev-battery-industry\/"},"modified":"2022-03-24T21:00:27","modified_gmt":"2022-03-24T18:00:27","slug":"the-us-needs-geothermal-plants-to-boost-its-lithium-supply-and-ev-battery-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-us-needs-geothermal-plants-to-boost-its-lithium-supply-and-ev-battery-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"#The US needs geothermal plants to boost its lithium supply and EV battery industry"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a407afa038ec\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a407afa038ec\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-us-needs-geothermal-plants-to-boost-its-lithium-supply-and-ev-battery-industry\/#%E2%80%9CThe_US_needs_geothermal_plants_to_boost_its_lithium_supply_and_EV_battery_industry%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;The US needs geothermal plants to boost its lithium supply and EV battery industry&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-us-needs-geothermal-plants-to-boost-its-lithium-supply-and-ev-battery-industry\/#Enough_lithium_to_far_exceed_todays_US_demand\" >Enough lithium to far exceed today\u2019s US demand<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-us-needs-geothermal-plants-to-boost-its-lithium-supply-and-ev-battery-industry\/#Geopolitical_risks_in_the_lithium_supply_chain\" >Geopolitical risks in the lithium supply chain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-us-needs-geothermal-plants-to-boost-its-lithium-supply-and-ev-battery-industry\/#A_lack_of_policy_support\" >A lack of policy support<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-us-needs-geothermal-plants-to-boost-its-lithium-supply-and-ev-battery-industry\/#Geothermal_energy_gets_a_boost_in_California\" >Geothermal energy gets a boost in California<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CThe_US_needs_geothermal_plants_to_boost_its_lithium_supply_and_EV_battery_industry%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;The US needs geothermal plants to boost its lithium supply and EV battery industry&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n                            Geothermal energy has long been the forgotten member of the clean energy family, overshadowed by relatively cheap solar and wind power, despite its proven potential. But that may soon change \u2013 for an unexpected reason.<\/p>\n<p>Geothermal technologies are on the verge of unlocking vast quantities of lithium from naturally occurring hot brines beneath places like California\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/water.ca.gov\/Programs\/Integrated-Regional-Water-Management\/Salton-Sea-Unit\">Salton Sea<\/a>, a two-hour drive from San Diego.<\/p>\n<p>Lithium is essential for <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/eere\/articles\/how-does-lithium-ion-battery-work\">lithium-ion batteries<\/a>, which power electric vehicles and energy storage. Demand for these batteries is quickly rising, but the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.er.usgs.gov\/publication\/mcs2021\">U.S. is currently heavily reliant on lithium imports<\/a> from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/periodicals\/mcs2022\/mcs2022-lithium.pdf\">other countries<\/a> \u2013 most of the nation\u2019s lithium supply comes from Argentina, Chile, Russia and China. The ability to recover critical minerals from geothermal brines in the U.S. could have important implications for energy and mineral security, as well as global supply chains, workforce transitions and geopolitics.<\/p>\n<p>As a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=GN_MdtQAAAAJ&amp;hl=en\">geologist<\/a> who works with geothermal brines and an <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=gLrgWW4AAAAJ&amp;hl=en\">energy policy scholar<\/a>, we believe this <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> can bolster the nation\u2019s critical minerals supply chain at a time when <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/the-us-is-worried-about-its-critical-minerals-supply-chains-essential-for-electric-vehicles-wind-power-and-the-nations-defense-157465\">concerns about the supply chain\u2019s security<\/a> are rising.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"align-center \">\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" alt=\"A power plant surrounded by fields with a large lake behind it and mountains in the distance.\" width=\"600\" height=\"370\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=370&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=370&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=370&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=465&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=465&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=465&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fshift%2F2022%2F03%2F24%2Fgeothermal-plants-boost-lithium-ev-battery%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: The Elmore geothermal plant near the Salton Sea began operating in 1989. Berkshire Hathaway Energy\" data-title=\"Share The Elmore geothermal plant near the Salton Sea began operating in 1989. Berkshire Hathaway Energy on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share The Elmore geothermal plant near the Salton Sea began operating in 1989. Berkshire Hathaway Energy on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>The Elmore geothermal plant near the Salton Sea began operating in 1989. Berkshire Hathaway Energy<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"A power plant surrounded by fields with a large lake behind it and mountains in the distance.\" width=\"600\" height=\"370\" class=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=370&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=370&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=370&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=465&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=465&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/453112\/original\/file-20220318-25-cnc3ar.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=465&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Enough_lithium_to_far_exceed_todays_US_demand\"><\/span>Enough lithium to far exceed today\u2019s US demand<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Geothermal power plants use heat from the Earth to generate a constant supply of steam to run turbines that produce electricity. The plants operate by bringing up a complex saline solution located far underground, where it absorbs heat and is enriched with minerals such as lithium, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/anime-manga\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"6\" title=\"Anime || Manga\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">manga<\/a>nese, zinc, potassium and boron.<\/p>\n<p>Geothermal brines are <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/oYtyEVPGEU8\">the concentrated liquid left over<\/a> after heat and steam are extracted at a geothermal plant. In the Salton Sea plants, these brines contain high concentrations \u2013 about 30% \u2013 of dissolved solids.<\/p>\n<p>If test projects now underway prove that battery-grade lithium can be extracted from these brines cost effectively, 11 existing geothermal plants along the Salton Sea alone could have the potential to produce enough lithium metal to provide about <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saltonseataskforce.ucr.edu\/_files\/ugd\/0d73bf_02e916684d584127a0cd621ac746348e.pdf\">10 times<\/a> the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/periodicals\/mcs2022\/mcs2022.pdf\">current U.S. demand<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n<figure>\n<p>                <iframe loading=\"lazy\" srcdoc=\"&lt;style&gt;*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden}html,body{background:#000;height:100%}img{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;transition:opacity .1s cubic-bezier(0.4,0,1,1)}a:hover img+img{opacity:1!important}&lt;\/style&gt;&lt;a href=\" https:=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/oYtyEVPGEU8\/hqdefault.jpg\" style=\"top: 50%;left:50%;width:68px;height:48px;transform:translate3d(-50%,-50%,0)\" height=\"240\" width=\"320\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>        <!--resp-video-container--><\/p>\n<figure><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">How lithium is extracted during geothermal energy production. Courtesy of Controlled Thermal Resources.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Three geothermal operators at the Salton Sea geothermal field are in various stages of designing, constructing and testing pilot plants for direct lithium extraction from the hot brines.<\/p>\n<p>At full production capacity, the 11 existing power plants near the Salton Sea, which currently generate about 432 megawatts of electricity, could also produce about <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saltonseataskforce.ucr.edu\/_files\/ugd\/0d73bf_02e916684d584127a0cd621ac746348e.pdf\">20,000 metric tons of lithium metal<\/a> per year. The annual market value of this metal would be over $5 billion at current prices.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"align-center \">\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" alt=\"Satellite image of the Salton Sea showing a wide valley\" width=\"600\" height=\"495\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=495&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=495&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=495&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=622&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=622&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=622&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fshift%2F2022%2F03%2F24%2Fgeothermal-plants-boost-lithium-ev-battery%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: The Salton Trough, seen from a satellite with the Salton Sea in the middle, is a rift valley that extends from east of Los Angeles, in the upper left, to the Gulf of California, visible at the bottom right. The San Andreas fault system crosses here, where two tectonic plates meet. Jesse Allen\/NASA Earth Observatory\" data-title=\"Share The Salton Trough, seen from a satellite with the Salton Sea in the middle, is a rift valley that extends from east of Los Angeles, in the upper left, to the Gulf of California, visible at the bottom right. The San Andreas fault system crosses here, where two tectonic plates meet. Jesse Allen\/NASA Earth Observatory on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share The Salton Trough, seen from a satellite with the Salton Sea in the middle, is a rift valley that extends from east of Los Angeles, in the upper left, to the Gulf of California, visible at the bottom right. The San Andreas fault system crosses here, where two tectonic plates meet. Jesse Allen\/NASA Earth Observatory on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>The Salton Trough, seen from a satellite with the Salton Sea in the middle, is a rift valley that extends from east of Los Angeles, in the upper left, to the Gulf of California, visible at the bottom right. The San Andreas fault system crosses here, where two tectonic plates meet. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Salton_Trough.jpg\">Jesse Allen\/NASA Earth Observatory<\/a><\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"Satellite image of the Salton Sea showing a wide valley\" width=\"600\" height=\"495\" class=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=495&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=495&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=495&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=622&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=622&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/452709\/original\/file-20220317-7550-1htyiut.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=622&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geopolitical_risks_in_the_lithium_supply_chain\"><\/span>Geopolitical risks in the lithium supply chain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Existing lithium supply chains are rife with uncertainties that put mineral security in question for the United States.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/22970918\/russia-war-in-ukraine-explained\">Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine<\/a> and competition with China, as well as <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/news\/daily-comment\/russia-and-china-unveil-a-pact-against-america-and-the-west\">close ties between Russia and China<\/a>, underscore the geopolitical implications of the mineral-intensive clean energy transformation.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spglobal.com\/marketintelligence\/en\/news-insights\/latest-news-headlines\/china-mining-battery-companies-sweep-up-lithium-supplies-in-acquisition-blitz-67205411\">China is currently the leader in lithium processing<\/a> and actively procures lithium reserves from other major producers. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/11\/20\/world\/china-congo-cobalt.html\">Chinese state mining operators often own mines<\/a> in other countries, which produce other vital clean energy minerals like cobalt and nickel.<\/p>\n<p>There is currently <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/periodicals\/mcs2022\/mcs2022-lithium.pdf\">one lithium production facility<\/a> in the U.S. That facility, in Nevada, extracts saline liquid and concentrates the lithium by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.nv.us\/App\/InterimCommittee\/REL\/Document\/16038\">allowing the water to evaporate<\/a> in <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewjournal.com\/local\/local-nevada\/nevadas-next-boom-demand-poised-to-spur-silver-states-lithium-production-2451259\/\">large, shallow ponds<\/a>. In contrast, the process for extracting lithium while producing geothermal energy returns the water and brines to the earth. Adding another domestic source of lithium could improve energy and mineral security for the United States and its allies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n<figure>\n<p>                <iframe loading=\"lazy\" srcdoc=\"&lt;style&gt;*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden}html,body{background:#000;height:100%}img{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;transition:opacity .1s cubic-bezier(0.4,0,1,1)}a:hover img+img{opacity:1!important}&lt;\/style&gt;&lt;a href=\" https:=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/6Q1A44qtx2o\/hqdefault.jpg\" style=\"top: 50%;left:50%;width:68px;height:48px;transform:translate3d(-50%,-50%,0)\" height=\"240\" width=\"320\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>        <!--resp-video-container--><\/p>\n<figure><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">By pairing with geothermal power production, lithium extraction reduces the need for excess water consumption.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_lack_of_policy_support\"><\/span>A lack of policy support<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Geothermal power today represents <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/geothermal\/use-of-geothermal-energy.php\">less than 0.5%<\/a> of the utility-scale electricity generation in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>One reason it remains a stagnant energy technology in the U.S. is the lack of strong policy support. Preliminary findings from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pangea.stanford.edu\/ERE\/db\/IGAstandard\/record_detail.php?id=35412\">a research study<\/a> being conducted by one of us indicate that part of the problem is rooted in disagreements among older and newer geothermal companies themselves, including how they talk about geothermal energy\u2019s benefits with policymakers, investors, the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a> and the public.<\/p>\n<p>Geothermal power has the ability to complement solar and wind energy as a baseload power source \u2013 <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/eere\/articles\/5-common-geothermal-energy-myths-debunked\">it is constant<\/a>, unlike sunshine and wind \u2013 and to provide energy and mineral security. It could also offer a professional bridge for oil, gas and coal employees to transition into the clean energy economy.<\/p>\n<p>The industry could benefit from policies like <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gdflac.com\/about\/objectives\/\">risk mitigation funds<\/a> to lessen drilling exploration costs, grant programs to demonstrate innovations, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/europeangeothermalcongress.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/CUR-30-Turkey.pdf\">long-term power contracts<\/a> or <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finance.senate.gov\/ranking-members-news\/crapo-whitehouse-release-energy-innovation-tax-credit-proposal\">tax incentives<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Adding the production of critical metals like lithium, manganese and zinc from geothermal brines could provide geothermal electrical power operators a new competitive advantage and help get geothermal onto the policy agenda.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geothermal_energy_gets_a_boost_in_California\"><\/span>Geothermal energy gets a boost in California<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Trends might be moving in the right direction for geothermal energy producers.<\/p>\n<p>In February, the California Public Utilities Commission adopted a new <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cpuc.ca.gov\/news-and-updates\/all-news\/cpuc-approves-long-term-plans-to-meet-electricity-reliability-and-climate-goals\">Preferred System Plan that encourages the state to develop 1,160 megawatts<\/a> of new geothermal electricity. That\u2019s on top of a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.cpuc.ca.gov\/PublishedDocs\/Published\/G000\/M389\/K155\/389155856.PDF\">2021 decision to procure 1,000 megawatts<\/a> from zero emissions, renewable, firm generating resources with an 80% capacity factor \u2013 which can only be met by geothermal technologies.<\/p>\n<p>The California decisions were primarily meant to complement intermittent renewable energy, like solar and wind, and the retirement of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. They suggest that the era of geothermal as the forgotten renewable energy may be ending.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/179465\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\"\/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/179465\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"\" srcset=\"\"\/><\/noscript><br \/>\n<em>Article by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/bryant-jones-1287280\">Bryant Jones<\/a>, Ph.D. Candidate of Energy Policy, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/boise-state-university-1983\">Boise State University<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/michael-mckibben-1329304\">Michael McKibben<\/a>, Research Professor of Geology, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-california-riverside-737\">University of California, Riverside<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>This article is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-a-few-geothermal-plants-could-solve-americas-lithium-supply-crunch-and-boost-the-ev-battery-industry-179465\">original article<\/a>.<\/em>\n                        <\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/geothermal-plants-boost-lithium-ev-battery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The US needs geothermal plants to boost its lithium supply and EV battery industry&#8221; Geothermal energy has long been the forgotten member of the clean energy family, overshadowed by relatively cheap solar and wind power, despite its proven potential. But that may soon change \u2013 for an unexpected reason. Geothermal technologies are on the verge&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":421030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/shift?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/03\/GP.jpg&signature=c61ce29e87367b973d0563606eac7453","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-421029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/421029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=421029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/421029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/421030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=421029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=421029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=421029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}