The top concrete reinforcing steel producer and rebar fabricator has signed a 15-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement with EDF Renewables North America for 250 megawatts of new solar array-derived energy in Texas. A first for Charlotte, N.C.-based Nucor Corp., the agreement represents the steel industry’s largest electricity procurement vehicle of its kind and positions EDF Renewables to add more clean energy to the South Central power grid.
“Nucor is one of the most efficient and cleanest steel producers in the world, and we are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint,” says Nucor CEO Leon Topalian. “We are already North America’s largest recycler, and supporting the addition of more clean power to the regional grid via this agreement further demonstrates commitment to sustainable steelmaking.”
“Nucor’s decision to procure solar energy allows this project to move forward, provid[ing] an economic boost to the local economy through new construction jobs and expanded tax base,” adds EDF Renewables Executive Vice President Ryan Pfaff.
Solar project construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2022, with electricity production anticipated the following year. Once completed, the solar facility’s expected annual output will be the equivalent of the electricity consumed by nearly 50,000 average-sized Texas homes.
GreenFront Energy Partners of Richmond, Va. acted as Nucor’s financial adviser on the Power Agreement. Northern California-based WattTime, a clean energy-focused subsidiary of the Rocky Mountain Institute, assisted the steelmaker with evaluating carbon dioxide emissions the transaction will avoid.
ASTM SLAG PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
D8021 Standard Guide for Blast Furnace and Steel Furnace Slag as Produced During the Manufacture of Iron and Steel is the latest document from ASTM International Committee D04 on Road and Paving Materials. It assists manufacturers, regulatory bodies and consumers in slag material characterization.
“The intent is to provide instruction as to the appropriate and typical mineralogy observed when slag is produced during the manufacture of iron and steel,” says John Yzenas, a Hobart, Ind. consultant and veteran of W.R. Grace and Michigan slag cement supplier Edw. C. Levy Co. “This standard aids users in determining if slag is a product and offers guidance as to which criteria and regulations they should then use.”