In the United States, the Department of Energy (DoE) publishes a list of its major achievements in 2022. The year 2022 was rich in innovations and advances.
Nuclear fusion, a scientific feat
In the United States, the Department of Energy can point to the achievement in 2022 of one of the scientific feats of recent history. It is the realization of the first ignition by fusion. Indeed, scientists from the National Ignition Facility at DoE’s LLNL laboratory were performing this operation in December 2022.
For the first time, the process creates more energy from the fusion reactions than the energy used to start the process. The Department of Energy believes this scientific success brings the United States closer to abundant, carbon-free fusion energy. Fusion also has the advantage of producing much less waste than the fission method currently used.
In addition to the major breakthrough in fusion, the Department of Energy is supporting projects to develop decarbonized power generation in the United States and around the world. Thus, still concerning nuclear power, the DoE is involved in civil nuclear cooperation with Poland. This commitment led Poland to choose Westinghouse to develop the country’s first reactors.
Support for low-carbon energy
In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy actively supports renewable energy projects. This commitment is reflected in the hosting of a clean energy conference in Pittsburgh in September. Delegations from 300 countries, as well as more than 400 CEOs from the energy sector were present for the first Global Action Forum on Clean Energy.
The conference resulted in 16 countries pledging $94 billion for clean energy demonstration projects. The Ministry of Energy aims to reduce the cost of floating offshore wind by 70% by 2035. Concerning geothermal energy, the DoE wants to reduce costs by 90%.
DoE estimates that this can unlock affordable energy for more than 40 million U.S. households. The U.S. Department of Energy is also making its first loans in 2022 through the Loan Programs Office. The loan program includes a $504 million guarantee to finance the world’s largest renewable hydrogen storage facility.
New laws for the climate
The U.S. Department of Energy also welcomes new legislation passed this year. These include the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS & Science Act. These laws, which are particularly well received in the United States, are causing a reaction among Europeans who perceive a risk of protectionism.
The Inflation Reduction Act enables the largest investment in clean energy and climate action in the nation’s history. This will include tax credits and rebates for a wide variety of clean energy technologies. The DoE will collect $35 billion under this law.
It also authorizes $350 billion in additional loan guarantees through its Loan Programs Office. The CHIPS & Science Act will provide the U.S. Department of Energy with $67 billion to be used for clean energy research and development. The law also authorizes investments in the infrastructure of national laboratories.
The contributions of the regulations
In addition, the law establishes the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation, which will help create and deploy the technologies of the future. The year 2022 results in accomplishments due to the implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. This law allows for electric vehicle charging plans for 50 states with $5 billion in funding.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also benefits hydrogen with $7 billion allocated to the creation of regional renewable hydrogen centers in the United States. On the other hand, this framework enables the launch of the Building a Better Grid initiative. This program aims to develop new or upgraded high-capacity electrical transmission lines nationwide.
Finally, this law provides $2.8 billion in subsidies for battery manufacturing. They demonstrate the positioning and proactive policy of the United States on these essential technologies for the energy transition. The U.S. Department of Energy welcomes this through this publication.
