About the LIFTOFF Reports
Purpose of DOE Liftoff Reports
The Department of Energy (DOE) plays a critical role in accelerating the commercialization of emerging energy technologies and enabling the nation’s broader industrial strategy – creating high quality American jobs, strengthening domestic supply chains and global competitiveness. DOE is actively investing billions of dollars in large-scale demonstration and deployment of these technologies over the next decade. These investments are intended to drive commercialization and unlock trillions in private investment over the same period.
DOE’s Pathways to Commercial Liftoff provide public and private sector capital allocators with a perspective as to how and when various technologies could reach full-scale commercial adoption– including a common analytical fact base and critical signposts for investment decisions. Given the constantly and rapidly evolving market, technology, and policy environment, the Liftoff Reports are designed to be “living documents” – and will be updated as the commercialization outlook on each technology evolves.
The Liftoff Report effort has been quarterbacked by DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions and are the nation’s first industrial commercialization roadmaps for these critical technologies. These emerging technology areas have been chosen due to their likelihood to attract large-scale investment, complement existing technologies, and ultimately promote national energy and security goals. The Liftoff reports enhance DOE dialogue with the private sector, and DOE leverages continuous feedback from industry as these reports are updated and revised over time.[1] The DOE will continue to solicit input through industry forums, requests for information, and regular interaction in the context of our authorities; we also welcome direct public input which can be submitted via email to [email protected].
[1] Note: The Liftoff Report initiative does not represent a policy position for DOE or the U.S. Government; nor does it reflect intentions for DOE program execution or funding.
Overview
Liftoff Reports
How to read the Liftoff Reports
Please note that these reports were prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the U.S. Government. Neither the U.S. Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government or any agency thereof.
As of January 2025, thirteen Liftoff Reports have been developed. Each Liftoff Report takes the view of a single technology and is designed to provide a shared understanding on the current state, pathways to commercial scale, and challenges to liftoff for each technology. The reports are organized accordingly. An Executive Summary is provided for each report that captures the key insights and takeaways. The full report also includes a robust appendix of analysis and existing research. Each full Liftoff Report is organized into the same chapters for consistency and ease of use:
- Introduction & Objectives
- Current State of the Technology (e.g., value proposition, landscape, and business models)
- Pathways to Commercial Scale
- Challenges to Commercialization and Potential Solutions
- Metrics and Milestones
- Appendices of exhibits and further analysis
DOE welcomes input and feedback on the contents of these Pathway to Commercial Liftoff Reports. Please direct all inquiries and input to [email protected]. Input and feedback should not include business sensitive information, trade secrets, proprietary, or otherwise confidential information. Please note that input and feedback provided is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.