Criterion Energy Partners secures DOE grant

Fred Hartman Bridge, Baytown, Texas (source: flickr/ Patrick Feller, creative commons)

In a release shared today, geothermal energy company Criterion Energy Partners announces that it has been awarded grant as part of a $53 million U.S. Department of Energy grant package to 210 small businesses in 38 states. This was announced by U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. The awards include projects relating to particle accelerators and fusion technology, applied nanoscience, quantum information applications, and dark matter research, along with a wide range of other efforts.

“Supporting small businesses will ensure we are tapping into all of America’s talent to develop clean energy technologies that will help us tackle the climate crisis,” said Steve Binkley, Acting Director of the DOE’s Office of Science. “DOE’s investments will enable these economic engines to optimize and commercialize their breakthroughs, while developing the next generation of science leaders and ensuring U.S. scientific and economic competitiveness that will benefit all Americans.”

Criterion Energy Partners plans to use the funds in partnership with the City of Baytown and small business incubator Bay TechWerx to research and develop industrial decarbonization technology that has a direct impact on meeting Baytown’s economic development and sustainability objectives.

The money to Criterion Energy Partners was provided under the theme “Community And Small Business Partner To Remove Systemic Hurdles To Economic Development With Novel Technology Which Will Accelerate Industrial Decarbonization”.

Focused on local economic development, the project by the company aims to establish a blueprint for applying its proprietary technology to integrate a parallel renewable direct heat and power source into the chemical plant. It aims to analyse the feasibility of a dual geothermal direct heat and power system that is to become a key differentiator in renewable co-generation for an overall reduction of emissions of chemical manufacturing facilities. Total offset potential is estimated at 61 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year.

“The City of Baytown remains committed to supporting technology that bolsters the economic advancement of our citizens and is socially responsible,” said the City of Baytown’s Community and Economic Development Manager, Bret Gardella. “We are excited to partner with Criterion Energy Partners to accelerate progress in these areas by bringing new renewable energy solutions to Baytown.”

CEO of Bay TechWerx, Rick Harlow, commented that “Bay TechWerx is thrilled to work alongside Criterion Energy Partners in support of its community engagement in Baytown. This partnership provides Baytown’s small business ecosystem a leadership role in the energy transition, offering a just and equitable approach that can be replicated in other communities.

“The management team at Criterion Energy Partners is honoured to receive Department of Energy support to advance our unique technology in a way that amplifies our commitment to social responsibility,” said the company’s Co-Founder and CEO, Danny Rehg.

Criterion Energy Partners is a next-generation energy company that plans to develop distributed energy projects to help customers reduce emissions and improve operating efficiency using heat from the earth.

Bay TechWerx provides industry trending technologies with a focus on creating jobs in advanced manufacturing and green tech for the purpose of revitalizing communities.  More information about all the projects announced by DOE is available at the following link: https://science.osti.gov/sbir

Source: Criterion Energy Partners