Rep. Kaptur Heralds $74,995,687 Award for Energy Industries of Ohio
Department of Energy award supports development of advanced prototype steam turbine and components
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, heralded groundbreaking news today that Energy Industries of Ohio will partner with the Department of Energy on a $74,995,687 project to support the design, procurement, construction, and testing of a prototype Advanced Ultra-SuperCritical Component (AUSC) steam turbine and related components.
“This Department of Energy award builds on Northern Ohio’s already strong record of competitive sustainable energy development,” said Rep. Kaptur. “This cutting-edge project is a perfect fit for Northern Ohio. Our region has long been known for its energy production, and in recent years has asserted itself as a leader in a new energy future. This project builds on that base and supports a growing industry that is creating and supporting good high-tech manufacturing jobs and driving economic growth here. Congratulations to the team at Energy Industries of Ohio for their work, and to the Department of Energy for its prudent support of a critical new technology.”
Bob Purgert, CEO for Energy Industries of Ohio, added: “After many years of development by the consortium led by EIO for new high temperature/pressure materials needed for Advanced UltraSuperCritical (AUSC) conditions, we have been notified by the U.S. Department of Energy that our proposed “last lap” activities for technology commercialization was selected for funding. This full scale test, with OCDO’s support, is planned to be conducted in Ohio. The project has been able to locate a suitable site at the former Ohio Edison plant which is now the Youngstown Thermal District heating site. We will be building additional infrastructure to accommodate the test and we plan to install the first AUSC turbine on site. This is very positive news not only for moving the technology forward but for sub-tier opportunities for Ohio’s manufacturing industries. The need for castings from Ohio’s foundries, forgings and fabrication of products along with job training for skills needed to weld and install the equipment will directly benefit Ohio workers. The timeliness of the test could not be more critical in view of the proposed Clean Power Plan.”
In addition to the prototype AUSC steam turbine, Energy Industries of Ohio will also test components that deliver steam to the turbine. including a boiler, superheater, boiler tube membrane walls, steam desuperheater, steam headers, main steam piping, and main steam line valves.
Energy Industries of Ohio describes is mission as “to develop, demonstrate, and incubate technologies that will improve the competitiveness of Ohio industry through increased energy efficiency, reduced operating costs and improved environmental performance.”
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