Please join the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center for the next episode of EnergySource Innovation Stream. This series highlights new energy technologies with the potential to reshape the global energy system through discussions with companies and individuals working diligently to bring those innovations to market at scale. On Tuesday, December 7 from 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST, the Global Energy Center will host Rod Colwell, chief executive officer of Controlled Thermal Resources, to discuss lithium recovery from Salton Sea geothermal brines and how this fully integrated process will support a sustainable lithium battery supply chain in the United States. Randolph Bell, senior director and Richard Morningstar chair for global energy security at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center, will moderate the discussion.

Lithium is a key ingredient in the batteries that keep our cellphones and laptops fully charged, store solar and wind energy, and power electric vehicles. Ambitious EV targets are increasingly being matched by policies and regulations stimulating market growth. In the United States, a 24 percent automotive market share for electric vehicles is expected by 2026, on the way to President Biden’s 50 percent goal by 2030; meanwhile, China aims for a 20 percent share by 2025, increasing to 40 percent by 2030. ​​​​​​​Consequently, lithium industry analysts forecast demand to more than triple by 2025, rising to a million metric tons and outpacing projected supply by 25 percent. There is added pressure for the US government to secure a robust domestic lithium supply chain; the United States currently produces no battery-grade lithium products and is wholly reliant on imports for this critical mineral. Rod Colwell will explain how lithium recovery from Salton Sea geothermal brines in California’s ‘Lithium Valley’ is set to transform the industry and deliver 100% US lithium products with the highest sustainability credentials available in the world today.