This week's awards: IDP's Steel Slab Electrified Induction Reheat Furnace Upgrade; ERA's Adams Electric Cooperative Green Energy, Mashkiiziibii Minigrid, Yakama Tribal Solar Canal & Hydro
Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations
August 21, 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
Industrial Demonstrations Program
Steel Slab Electrified Induction Reheat Furnace Upgrade
OCED awarded the Steel Slab Electrified Induction Reheat Furnace Upgrade project, led by Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corporation (Cleveland-Cliffs), with more than $19 million (of the total project federal cost share of up to $75 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. Cleveland-Cliffs plans to electrify the only production facility for high-silicon grain oriented electrical steel in the United States. By implementing induction heating—a highly energy efficient heating method that minimizes energy losses and enables precise control over temperatures—this project aims to secure a crucial component of the U.S. domestic energy supply chain and could be widely replicable among the many iron and steel facilities that use reheat furnaces across the nation. Cleveland-Cliffs estimates the furnace installations could result in up to a 100% reduction in direct greenhouse gas emissions associated with the high-temperature reheat furnaces and improve air quality for the nearby communities.
During Phase 1 of the project, Cleveland-Cliffs plans to conduct preliminary design and engineering activities, provide documentation and reports necessary for OCED to complete the National Environmental Policy Act review, and continue to engage community and labor stakeholders.
View the project factsheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas
Adams Electric Cooperative Green Energy
OCED issued a grant award to the ERA project Adams Electric Cooperative Green Energy, led by the Adams Electric Cooperative, committing up to $5 million in federal funding. The Adams Electric Cooperative Green Energy project plans to install a 1 MW wind turbine and a 1 MW solar photovoltaic (solar PV) array to provide clean, renewable, and cost-effective electricity for the rural electric cooperative’s approximately 7,500 members, including 1,264 members in Schuyler County, IL. The project aims to reinvigorate disadvantaged communities affected by coal-mine closures and increase renewable energy generation in Illinois. Once fully operational, the project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease dependence on fossil fuels, and help stabilize electricity rates.
View the project factsheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Mashkiiziibii Minigrid
OCED awarded the Mashkiiziibii Minigrid project—led by the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians—with $635,881 (of the total federal cost share of up to $14.1 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. The project plans to build a 5 MW solar photovoltaic (solar PV) array and an 8 MWh battery energy storage system to connect with existing diesel and natural gas generation. This combination would form a hybrid minigrid that would power the reservation’s Odanah, Aspen Acres, Franks Field, and Birch Hill communities. During Phase 1, the project team plans to conduct preliminary design, planning, and development activities, including forming a joint tribal-utility working group, providing input into OCED’s National Environmental Policy Act review, and initiating community and labor engagement.
View the project factsheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Yakama Tribal Solar Canal & Hydro
OCED awarded the Yakama Tribal Solar Canal & Hydro project, led by Yakama Power, with $610,302 (of the total project federal cost share of up to $32 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. The project plans to install solar photovoltaic (solar PV) and micro-hydropower on an irrigation system converted from open canals, demonstrating responsible siting of renewable energy generation using land that does not risk disturbing cultural and ecological resources. By deploying renewable power generation, Yakama Power intends to maintain low energy costs for members of the Yakama Nation. During Phase 1, Yakama Power will conduct planning, development and design activities, to include: obtaining easements, providing input into OCED’s National Environmental Policy Act review, initiating community and labor engagement, and developing preliminary designs.
View the project factsheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.