Governor's Special Advanced Energy Fund
On June 12, 2008, Governor Ted Strickland signed a $1.57 billion bipartisan job stimulus package (HB 554) to create new jobs while laying the foundation for future economic prosperity.
This program creates an Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Fund that is administered through a public process managed by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA). The Fund awards grants and loans to a portfolio of advanced energy projects that serve to attract new investment to Ohio, build upon Ohio's manufacturing strength, advance energy technology development toward commercialization, and prepare Ohio's workforce for the future.
The focus of this bond-funded program is not on "research and development," but rather on industrial and other business applications that will create jobs in the near term.
OAQDA intends to make awards for advanced energy projects that create new fulltime jobs, create significant investment, and are most likely to have a major impact on the advanced energy sector of Ohio’s economy. Specific guiding principles place high priority on new job creation; a project's ability to leverage the investment of other public and private dollars; a clear indication that a project represents a "tipping point" that advances a technology to a higher stage; and, strategic positioning - evidence that a project strengthens Ohio's manufacturing base, prepares for the industries of the future, reclaims Ohio's heritage of innovation, and prepares Ohio's workforce for the future.
There are two components of the Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Fund: clean coal technologies and non-coal advanced technologies. Each component has specific criteria and guidelines.
The non-coal projects will generally be in the range of grants in the amount of $50,000 to $250,000 and loans in the amount of $1 million to $2 million.
Projects offering Ohio a high value proposition will be considered for larger amounts.
Eligible advanced energy projects include (but are not limited to) advanced energy resources (i.e. clean coal technologies, advanced nuclear, fuel cells, and distributed and co-generation); renewable energy resources (i.e. solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal); energy efficiency; Edison Technology Centers; and university research and development programs.
A complete list of eligible projects can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) sections 3706.25 and 4928.621 (for non-coal technologies), 1551 and 1555 (for clean coal technologies), and in and the Ohio Coal Development Agenda.
Swiger Coil Systems:
Growing in the Wind Turbine Industry
Swiger Coil Systems, LLC, a Cleveland, Ohio privately held company, first got into the wind turbine manufacturing business by harnessing their 35 years of traction motor experience and attending the American Wind Energy Association's 2005 show in Denver. From those initial contacts, Swiger Coil has built relationships with numerous major manufactures of wind turbine equipment in North America. Currently they are working on no fewer than three additional wind turbine generator projects with North American wind turbine manufacturers.
Swiger Coil Systems is building proprietary wind turbine generators for a North American OEM. Since the development 15 months ago of a proprietary design, Swiger Coil Systems is entering into a full scale manufacturing agreement with this manufacturer for a uniquely-designed generator.
 Swiger Coil Systems' wind turbine generator team poses with one of the generators they developed for a major North American OEM |
Swiger's growth and manufacturing prowess are attracting attention: last month they were recognized by MAGNET, winning their second annual competitiveness challenge for its Lean project in their wind turbine manufacturing cell. In addition they are recognized this month with the Weatherhead 100 award sponsored by Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Business. Swiger Coil was also recently awarded the coveted Supplier of the Year award from BART in San Francisco. Swiger Coil Systems has added $1.8 million in capital spending and 79 new employees in the past 18 months to support their continued growth, which is due in part to their work in the wind turbine industry. Swiger Coil System's success in the wind industry is an example of how Great Lakes companies can leverage existing capability to tap a fast growing market, attracting customers, investment, and creating jobs.
It's About Making Connections:
Great Lakes WIND Network™
U.S. OEMs noticed the shift in the financial winds in November, and several announced to suppliers a reduction on growth projections for 2009. Much of this is blamed on financing delays and funding restrictions to wind farm developers for already-budgeted projects. It is unknown how long this bump in the road will slow down industry growth, and hopes are high that the new Administration will take appropriate action starting early next year.
Vestas, the world's largest wind turbine OEM, has announced plans for a new nacelle assembly facility in the U.S. and has engaged the Great Lakes Wind Network for supply chain support. In November, our organization pre-qualified and introduced 19 GLWN manufacturers to Vestas supply chain managers over a two-day period. Individual company interviews ranged up to 45 minutes each, and feedback from both Vestas and manufacturers was that prospects for future business as a result of the meetings were excellent.
Export opportunities in 2009 were the topic of a series of Supplier Meetings between GLWN manufacturers and Enercon-India. According to company officials, the market for wind turbines in India is not suffering the reductions seen in North America. As a result, supply chain assistance is needed for future years, and November's visit by Enercon-India was intended to lay the groundwork for exploring manufacturing and shipment to India of select major components. 20 GLWN companies met with Enercon personnel, and a return visit by the OEM is expected to some by the end of the year.