Forget Silicon: California’s Imperial Valley Has Lithium

Under the desert sun lies a vast lithium brine reserve capable of creating 40 megawatts of steam power while supplying lithium from the wastewater.

Why it matters: Electricity prices are rising, Uranium is experiencing a price bubble and many solar projects are paused due to supply chain issues.

⛏️ Unlike solar and wind power, geothermal power is a 24-hour-a-day source of pollution-free electricity [Roth 2024].

⛏️ Lithium is a critical component in the batteries that power electric vehicles and store alternative energy [Wilson 2024].

Backstory: Lithium prices are falling despite interest in new mining activities [Paraskova 2024].

Causes:

🚗 Electric vehicle sales have slowed globally.

🪫 Lithium stockpiles are high, with many mining operations reducing headcounts.

Between the lines: Lithium is a core part of the energy storage from solar and wind technologies.

💧Critics warn that lithium mining could jeopardize water resources due to the steam needed to extract.

The big picture: Despite the current price fall, demand for lithium is expected to rise significantly over the next six years [Hale 2024].