Bioenergy R&D to Receive $178 Million From Energy Department

The Department of Energy is investing $178 million into the research and development of bioenergy implementations in sectors such as health care, agriculture and industry. According to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the funded projects are intended to advance biotechnology, create jobs and achieve climate goals. Granholm added that organic energy produces savings for consumers and combats carbon pollution, the Energy Department said.

Funds worth $99.7 million will be allocated toward studying microorganism applications for bioproduction and bioenergy crops, among several fields. About $33 million will go to research on microbiome processes in soil while enhanced feedstock development will receive $27.4 million and quantum studies on bioimaging and biosensors will get $18 million.

This latest round of investments continues ongoing efforts to reach President Joe Biden’s net-zero carbon goals. Earlier in September, DOE announced $46 million in funding toward 22 biofuel projects. August saw $540 million allocated to establishing academic research centers on clean energy. In May, the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Science Foundation to strengthen collaboration in developing various clean energy methods.

About $54 million went to 235 small businesses in 2021 to develop advanced solutions to decarbonization and alternative energy.