42 U.S.C. § 16313 — Solar Fuels Research Initiative

(a) Initiative (1) In general: The Secretary must carry out a research initiative called the "Solar Fuels Research Initiative" to expand theoretical and fundamental knowledge of photochemistry, electrochemistry, biochemistry, and materials science useful for practically converting solar energy to chemical energy. (2) Leveraging: In running the Initiative, the Secretary must draw on expertise and resources from (A) the Basic Energy Sciences Program and the Biological and Environmental Research Program of the Office of Science, and (B) the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (3) Teams: (A) The Secretary must organize the Initiative's work among multidisciplinary teams that draw, as much as practical, on expertise from National Laboratories, universities, and the private sector. (B) These teams must pursue ambitious, milestone-driven basic research goals. (C) The Secretary must give the teams enough resources to reach those goals over a timeframe the Secretary sets. (4) Additional activities: The Secretary may also organize additional work through Energy Frontier Research Centers, Energy Innovation Hubs, or other structures. (b) Artificial photosynthesis (1) In general: Under the Initiative, the Secretary must run a program supporting research needed to overcome scientific barriers to, and build knowledge relevant to, artificial photosynthetic systems. (2) Activities: (A) The Director of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences must support basic research on distinct lines of inquiry, including (i) using light to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water, and (ii) sustainably using light to reduce carbon dioxide into fuel products, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, carbon monoxide, and natural gas. (B) The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy must support translational research, development, and validation of the physical concepts developed under the program. (3) Standard of review: The Secretary must review the program's activities to determine whether technical milestones are being met. (4) Funds: Out of funds authorized for basic energy sciences in a fiscal year, $50,000,000 is authorized for this subsection for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027. (c) Biochemistry, replication of natural photosynthesis, and related processes (1) In general: Under the Initiative, the Secretary must run a program supporting research needed to replicate natural photosynthetic processes using artificial photosynthetic components and materials. (2) Activities: (A) The Director of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences must support basic research expanding knowledge needed to replicate natural photosynthesis, including (i) using light to reduce nitrogen gas into ammonia, (ii) absorbing carbon dioxide from ambient air, (iii) molecular-based charge separation and storage, (iv) light-initiated electron transfer, and (v) catalysis in biological or biomimetic systems. (B) The Associate Director of Biological and Environmental Research must support systems biology and genomics research to understand the genetic and physiological pathways connected to photosynthetic mechanisms. (C) The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy must support translational research, development, and validation of the physical concepts developed under the program. (3) Standard of review: The Secretary must review the program's activities to determine whether technical milestones are being met. (4) Funds: Out of funds authorized for basic energy sciences in a fiscal year, $50,000,000 is authorized for this subsection for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.