WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced today that four Ohio projects will receive more than $17.5 million in federal funds to invest in clean energy technology development across the state. The federal funds, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), are allocated through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) newly formed Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).

“Clean energy is the future of our nation, and Ohio entrepreneurs and workers are leading the way,” Brown said. “Done right, increased research and development of new clean energy technologies will drive innovation and create new jobs.”

DOE’s ARPA-E program was created to support energy research that can provide transformative new solutions for climate change and energy security. Ohio ranks third nationally in ARPA-E grants and total funding received from this first-round selection.
This year, Brown hosted numerous recovery workshops to convene Ohio businesses with federal officials. Many of Ohio’s ARPA-E recipients attended Brown’s events, which were held across the state. More than 200 businesses attended Brown’s Columbus Clean Energy Summit, which connected Ohio clean energy leaders and companies with federal resources. 

COLUMBUS

ARPA-E Recipient

Funding

Category

Project Description

Ohio State University- (PSRI, CONSOL Energy, Inc., Shell/CRI, The Babcock and Wilcox Company)

$5,000,000

Carbon
Capture

Through Syngas Chemical Looping (SCL), the program will convert coal or biomass into electricity while efficiently capturing the CO2 and will scale the process to pilot plant level at the National Carbon Capture Center

MARYSVILLE

 

 

 

ARPA-E Recipient

Funding

Category

Project Description

Univenture, Inc.

(Rockwell Automation, Ohio University, Case Western Reserve University)

$5,992,697

Biomass Energy /
Direct
Solar Fuels

Initiative will develop an algae harvesting system that could reduce the energy cost necessary to harvest, dewater, and dry algae with the potential to transform the economics of algae-based biofuel production.

 

MIAMISBURG

 

 

 

ARPA-E Recipient

Funding

Category

Project Description

Inorganic Specialists, Inc.- (Ultramet, Inc., EaglePicher, Southeast Nonwovens, EMTEC)

$1,999,447

Energy
Storage

To develop silicon-coated carbon nanofiber paper to be used in the next generation Lithium-ion batteries, which could be used in hybrids and electronic vehicles

 

STRONGSVILLE

 

 

 

ARPA-E Recipient

Funding

Category

Project Description

Momentive Performance Materials (Soraa, Advanced Photonic Crystals)

$1,999,447

Building Efficiency

A high-pressure ammonothermal process to more efficiently produce single crystal GaN substrates at high crystal growth rates, which could produce light emitting diodes (LEDs).

A second set of ARPA-E funding opportunities will be announced later this fall. More information is available at DOE’s ARPA-E Web site here: www.arpa-e-.energy.gov.


Brown is a leading advocate in Congress to promote Ohio’s clean energy economy. Since 2007, Brown has held more than 130 roundtables across the state, meeting with workers and business leaders about how to position Ohio as a leader in the clean energy production and development. In August, Brown introduced the IMPACT Act, which would establish a $30 billion Manufacturing Revolving Loan Fund to help small and medium sized manufacturers transition to the clean energy economy. Brown’s IMPACT Act has gained the support of thousands of businesses across the country and was included in the U.S. House climate change bill.

###