Department of Development announces more than $6.2M in grants to support innovation in coal technologies
The Ohio Department of Development recently announced more than $6.2 million in support for 14 projects aimed at building on Ohio’s storied history of innovation in the coal industry.
The grant funding comes from the Ohio Coal Research and Development Program, which was established to invest in the development and implementation of technologies designed to use Ohio’s vast coal reserves in a way that promotes economic growth, job creation and environmental sustainability across the state.
"Ohio's coal heritage runs deep, and these projects honor that legacy while propelling us forward into a new era of energy innovation,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “By investing in cutting-edge technologies, led by some of Ohio’s top research institutions, we're revitalizing an industry with deep roots in our state and shaping a brighter future for generations.”
The grants will help support projects that modernize the use of Ohio coal through advanced technologies and processes such as rare earth element extractions for manufacturing, alternate uses for coal waste, and even the conversion of coal into high-quality materials for housing construction.
In total, $6,244,349 in grants will be allocated as follows:
Ohio University (Athens County) will receive:
• A $2 million grant to develop coal plastic composite (CPC) pellets for use in 3D-printed building and tooling products. The project will refine CPC materials for commercial use, using both newly mined and waste coal. Partnering with Juggerbot3D, the project will involve material testing, economic evaluations, and equipment upgrades.
• A $250,000 grant to advance a novel vibrational precipitator (VP) from proof-of-concept to a more developed stage. The technology aims to provide a cost-effective solution for reducing emissions, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury from coal-fired power plants. This project aligns with new EPA standards requiring significant emission reductions by 2030, offering an efficient and economical method to meet these goals.
• A $210,671 grant to create a new use for Ohio coal in the lithium-ion battery market by developing coal-derived Soft Carbon-Silicon Composites (SCSC) for high-power battery anodes. Phase I involves developing and testing these materials, while Phase II focuses on extensive performance testing and economic analysis. The project seeks to prove that coal-derived SCSC can match or exceed current battery materials, paving the way for scalable production and further funding.
The Ohio State University (Franklin County) will receive:
• A $1,346,245 grant supporting the development, assessment, and technology transfer of promising harvested coal combustion residue (CCR) for commercial and end-use sectors while also providing workforce training and retention opportunities.
• A $338,101 grant to boost the use of coal ash in concrete by improving the harvesting and testing of the material in Ohio. Project activities include evaluating ash quality, testing its impact on concrete, and recommending policies to ensure its effective use.
• A $249,469 grant to develop a process that uses carbon dioxide from coal power plants to produce syngas, a valuable chemical, through high-temperature electrolysis. Successful lab tests will be followed by pilot-scale tests with industry partner Nexceris, LLC. This technology has the potential to be both environmentally beneficial and economically viable.
The University of Cincinnati (Hamilton County) will receive:
• A $250,000 grant to develop and test advanced sorbents for removing carbon dioxide from gases produced during coal combustion, gasification and chemical manufacturing using Ohio coal. The project seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of these innovative materials in capturing carbon dioxide, contributing to cleaner energy production and industrial processes.
• A $250,000 grant to develop cost-effective and efficient methods for producing ethylene from coal, reducing reliance on crude oil. Successful development will pave the way for industrial upscaling and commercialization.
• A $250,000 grant to develop advanced nano catalysts to convert carbon dioxide from Ohio coal use and methane into syngas. The goal is to utilize large amounts of carbon dioxide and abundant, inexpensive methane to produce syngas, which can be used to create stable chemicals, organics and polymers.
• A $250,000 grant to assess the feasibility of converting carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning power plants into valuable industrial products like polycarbonates and cyclic carbonates, which are used in polymers and lithium-ion battery solvents.
• A $250,000 grant to determine the feasibility of using coal fly ash to degrade organic pollutants in coal washing wastewater (CWW) through advanced oxidation processes.
• A $250,000 grant to assess the feasibility of extracting valuable rare earth elements and lithium from coal preparation plant refuse and fly ash. Initial economic analysis shows that recovering these resources from coal byproducts is economically viable.
• A $249,986 grant to assess a new absorption-based method for separating carbon dioxide from flue gas produced during Ohio coal combustion. This innovative technology uses a unique solvent formulation that minimizes water usage and reduces energy requirements for carbon dioxide removal.
• A $99,877 grant to showcase a novel liquid metal-CO2 flow battery designed for both thermal and electric energy storage at Ohio coal-fired power plants. This innovative system will simultaneously capture carbon dioxide from flue gas and convert it into a safe, permanently sequestered form of carbon.
Funding was open to municipal-, rural- and investor-owned utilities, non-profit and for-profit entities operating in Ohio, as well as educational and scientific institutions throughout the state.
This round of funding was made possible with support from the Ohio General Assembly in the most recent capital budget. All awarded projects are required to be completed within either 12 or 24 months.
Those with detailed questions about a project should contact the entity receiving the grant.
The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places and businesses. Learn more at development.ohio.gov.
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