Date/Time: Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Track: Technical Panel
Room: Tuscany 7-8
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Description:

Lithium is a key aspect in the clean energy transition supply chain, as lithium-ion batteries are a critical component to electrifying the transportation sector and contributing energy storage capabilities needed to integrate high amounts of intermittent renewable energy into a grid that needs to meet current and future energy demands. At present, most lithium used in the US comes from foreign sources. Several executive orders have been issued to promote the development of a secure domestic supply of critical materials, including lithium. A world-class lithium resource has been identified at the Salton Sea geothermal field (also known as Lithium Valley), and a number of companies are currently working on developing and implementing methods to recover lithium from produced geothermal brines. The purpose of this panel is to engage a group of stakeholder representatives to discuss the nature of this resource, the current stages of lithium recovery activities, and assess some of the technical, economic, environmental and social benefits and risks associated with these activities. These activities are also linked with a resurgence in geothermal development at the Salton Sea.

Moderator: Patrick Dobson, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Panelists: 

• Derek Benson, ESM
• Mike McKibben, UC Riverside
• Luis Olmedo, Comite Civico del Valle
• Jon Trujillo, BHER