This week's awards: Mine Land's A Model for Transition: Coal-to-Solar in West Virginia; ERA's Chignik Hydroelectric Dam and Water Source Project; ERA's Hopi Nation Community Solar Project; ERA Grant's New Stuyahok Solar-Battery; IDP's Syngas Production from Recycled Chemical Byproduct Streams
Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations
October 2, 2024
minute read time
On Wednesdays, OCED will announce the latest projects that have successfully completed award negotiations. OCED will only issue an Award Wednesday notification on weeks when an award has been finalized.
AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land
A Model for Transition: Coal-to-Solar in West Virginia
OCED awarded the A Model for Transition: Coal-to-Solar in West Virginia project, led by Nicholas County Solar Project, LLC (NCSP), a subsidiary of Savion, LLC, with more than $1.9 million (of the total federal cost share of up to $129 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. The project plans to convert two former coal mines in West Virginia into utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities capable of generating 250 MW of clean power. Repurposing these previously disturbed sites could reduce development on sensitive lands, produce and deliver clean power to local communities, and contribute to regional economic revitalization. During Phase 1 of the project, NCSP will refine its business plan—including project schedule, budget, and financial model—and plans to progress permitting and interconnection activities.
View the project fact sheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Energy Improvements in Remote and Rural Areas
Chignik Hydroelectric Dam and Water Source Project
OCED awarded the Chignik Hydroelectric Dam and Water Source Project, led by the Lake and Peninsula Borough, with nearly $65,000 (of the total federal cost share of up to $7.2 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. The project plans to construct a new run-of-the-river hydroelectric facility, replacing a 70+ year-old wooden dam. The proposed 2.1 MWh facility aims to replace 100% of the microgrid’s diesel consumption and provide excess power for heating, electric vehicle charging, and expansion of local economic activities like tourism and fish processing. During Phase 1, the Lake and Peninsula Borough will conduct planning, development, and design activities, including: obtaining easements, providing input into OCED’s National Environmental Policy Act review, and initiating community and labor engagement.
View the project fact sheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Hopi Nation Community Solar Project
OCED awarded the Hopi Nation Community Solar project, led by Arizona State University (ASU), with nearly $550,000 (of the total project federal cost share of up to $9.1 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. The project plans to deploy a hybrid microgrid at the Turquoise Trail Municipal Complex on the Hopi Reservation consisting of a 1.25 MW solar photovoltaic (solar PV) array, battery energy storage systems, and existing backup diesel generators. During Phase 1, ASU will conduct planning, development and design activities—including identifying all required upgrades to existing electrical infrastructure—developing a preliminary design of the hybrid microgrid, providing input into OCED’s National Environmental Policy Act review, and initiating community and labor engagement.
View the project fact sheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
New Stuyahok Solar-Battery
OCED issued a grant award to the New Stuyahok Solar-Battery project—led by Alaska Village Electric Cooperative—committing up to $4.3 million in federal funding. This project would construct a 500 kW solar photovoltaic (solar PV) array, a 540 kWh battery energy storage system, and a microgrid controller in remote southwest Alaska. Remote Yup'ik villages are isolated from major road systems and power grids. However, they experience extended daylight hours and abundant sunlight during the summer months, making solar PV technology an ideal choice. By reducing reliance on imported fuels and integrating clean energy, this project will increase microgrid resiliency, improve air quality, and lower the potential for accidental fuel spills.
View the project fact sheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Industrial Demonstrations Program
Syngas Production from Recycled Chemical Byproduct Streams
OCED awarded the Syngas Production from Recycled Chemical Byproduct Streams project—led by BASF Corporation—with more than $1.5 million (of the total project federal cost share of up to $75 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. BASF plans to recycle liquid byproducts into syngas, which can be used as a low-carbon feedstock at BASF’s chemical manufacturing site in Freeport, TX. By using plasma gasification and renewable power, BASF expects to decrease carbon dioxide emissions associated with select incineration processes at BASF’s Freeport manufacturing site by at least 75%. This would enable the uptake of a technology capable of recycling liquid byproducts into additional production feedstocks like syngas or hydrogen and supporting the transition toward a low-carbon and more circular chemical production. During Phase 1, BASF plans to perform engineering studies, simulations, and calculations to support design development.
View the project fact sheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.