This week's awards: DACHubs South Texas; IDP's Flexible Fuel Electric Hybrid Glass; CC Pilot's Cane Run; CC FEEDs' Four Corners; ERA's Cost-Effective Solar in Western Maine, Reliability and Cost Effectiveness in Rural Areas, Whole-Home Heat Pump Solutions
Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations
September 12, 2024
minute read time
*Issued on Thursday in observance of 9/11*
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
Regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs Program
South Texas DAC Hub
OCED awarded the South Texas DAC Hub, led by 1PointFive, with $50 million (of the total project federal cost share of up to $500 million) to begin Phase 2 activities. 1PointFive plans to build the South Texas DAC Hub at King Ranch in Kleberg County, TX with an initial removal capacity of 500,000 metric tons of CO2 per year with the goal of capturing up to 1 million metric tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere each year at full capacity and permanently storing it in a saline aquifer deep underground. The 1PointFive system draws air into its facility using large fans, where a chemical solution then selectively binds CO2 molecules from the air, creating a CO2-rich solution. The solution is then processed through a series of reactions to separate, purify, and compress it for transportation and permanent storage. During Phase 2 of the project, 1PointFive will conduct engineering design work, acquiring construction permitting—including air, water, and geologic storage permits, providing input to OCED’s National Environmental Policy Act review process, community engagement activities, and workforce development.
View the project fact sheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Industrial Demonstrations Program
Flexible Fuel Electric Hybrid Glass Furnace Demonstration
OCED awarded the Flexible Fuel Electric Hybrid Glass Furnace Demonstration project, led by Libbey Glass, with more than $720,000 (of the total project federal cost share of up to $45.1 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. Libbey Glass plans to replace four regenerative furnaces with two larger hybrid electric furnaces at its facility in Toledo, OH. The project expects to reduce the carbon intensity of the facility by up to 50%. Because glass tableware such as drinking glasses have some of the highest glass product standards, this project could demonstrate the viability of electrification and alternative fuel use for the entire glass industry. During Phase 1 of the project, Libbey Glass will conduct preliminary design and contracting activities, provide input to OCED’s National Environmental Policy Act review process, and carry out preliminary meetings with workforce and community groups in the area.
View the project fact sheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Projects Program
Carbon Capture Pilot at Cane Run Generating Station
OCED awarded the Carbon Capture Pilot at Cane Run Generating Station project, led by Kentucky Utilities Company, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation, with more than $4.9 million (of the total federal cost share of up to $72 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. The project plans to deploy a CO2 capture system at Cane Run 7—a natural gas combined cycle power plant in Louisville, KY. The Carbon Capture Pilot at Cane Run Generating Station would capture 95% of the CO2 from a portion of the unit’s flue gas, using an advanced heat-integrated technology developed by the University of Kentucky. During Phase 1 of the project, Kentucky Utilities Company plans to complete an integrated Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study to determine the technical specifications for incorporating carbon capture into the facility. The project also plans to start workforce planning, project permitting, and providing input into OCED’s National Environmental Policy Act review process. Phase 1 of the project will also include an Environment, Safety, and Health assessment, business plans, community labor engagements, and community benefits planning.
View the project fact sheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program Front-End Engineering Design Studies
Four Corners Power Plant Integrated Carbon Capture and Storage
OCED awarded the Four Corners Power Plant Integrated Carbon Capture and Storage project, led by Navajo Transitional Energy Company, LLC (NTEC), with more than $6.5 million in federal funding to conduct a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study. OCED is working with NTEC to complete an integrated FEED study to determine the specifications for CO2 capture, transport, and storage at the Four Corners Power Plant, a coal-fired power plant located on the Navajo Nation near Fruitland, NM. The FEED study will evaluate the use of amine-based, post-combustion carbon capture technology. The project aims to design a system capable of capturing a minimum of 10 million tons of CO2 per year, achieving a carbon capture efficiency of more than 95%.
View the project fact sheet here.
Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program
Cost-Effective and Equitable Cooperative Community Solar in Western Maine
OCED issued a grant award to the Cost-Effective and Equitable Cooperative Community Solar in Western Maine project, led by Maine Community Power Cooperative, Inc committing up to $5 million in federal funding. The project plans to install 198 kW solar photovoltaic (solar PV) arrays at each of its six project sites across western Maine, generating clean solar power for the communities. The project is expected to create power generation revenue, which would be distributed by a consumer- and worker-owned electric cooperative to members, potentially reducing electricity costs by 20-40%.
View the project factsheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Reliability and Cost Effectiveness in Rural Areas Using Environmentally Sound Practices
OCED issued a grant award to the Reliability and Cost Effectiveness in Rural Areas Using Environmentally Sound Practices project, led by Cumberland Valley Electric, committing up to nearly $5 million in federal funding. The project plans to improve the grid reliability and resilience in Kentucky’s Bell, Knox, and Whitley counties by addressing two critical issues: inefficient fuses and vegetation management. By replacing these inefficient fuses with self-restoring reclosers, Cumberland Valley Electric could reduce outages by nearly 80% and mitigate emissions of health-harming pollutants and greenhouse gases caused by generating backup power or transporting line-crews.
View the project factsheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.
Whole-Home Heat Pump Solutions for Mobile/Manufactured Homes
OCED awarded the Whole-Home Heat Pump Solutions for Mobile/Manufactured Homes project, led by The Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT), with $27,600 (of the total federal cost share of up to $10 million) to begin Phase 1A activities. This project plans to install approximately 675 whole-home, ducted heat pumps in mobile and manufactured homes across Maine’s rural and remote communities. These heat pumps would replace fossil fuel furnaces in low-income homes, while utilizing existing ductwork to prevent water pipes from freezing. During Phase 1A, EMT will conduct planning, development, and design activities, including providing information for the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act compliance, conducting contracting and permitting activities, and developing recruitment and workforce development activities.
View the project fact sheet and community benefits commitments summary here. Learn more about engagement opportunities here.