The electrical grid (power grid) is the combination of electricity generation, transmission,
distribution, and control systems. Grid capacity refers to the ability of the electrical
grid to reliably generate and deliver power to homes and businesses where and when
it is needed. Generation capacity is the amount of electricity a utility is able
to generate from coal, natural gas, or other sources.
Lithium (Li) is an element used in cell phones, pharmaceuticals, military technologies,
electric vehicles and more, often in the form of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS)
classifies lithium as a critical mineral. A
recent scientific paper published in the journal Nature found that it may be
possible to extract significant amounts of lithium (up to 40% of US annual consumption)
from Marcellus Shale gas production wastewater in Pennsylvania. These results could
also apply to Marcellus wells in West Virginia. The Marcellus Shale is a geological
formation beneath parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia (see figure). This Science
and Technology Note considers potential challenges and benefits of pursuing lithium
co-production with natural gas in West Virginia.
The electrical grid is the combination of electricity generation, transmission and
control and distribution systems (see figure). Electrical power outages can
cause significant disruptions to economic activity, state functions, and public
health.
This Science & Technology Note deals with economic costs and opportunities associated
with orphaned oil and natural gas wells in West Virginia and considers possible
policy options.
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are new lower-power, smaller-footprint reactor designs
that seek to avoid the high costs and delays
associated with nuclear power. This Science and Technology Policy Note considers
opportunities and challenges associated with advanced nuclear power deployment
in West Virginia, with a particular focus on SMRs at former coal sites.
