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emPOWERING TRIBES through energy…

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Introduction

NIMIIPUU ENERGY is a Tribe-to-Tribe Utility Cooperative built with a singular focus; to collaborate with regional tribes utilizing advancements in alternative energy technologies and software in order to help the energy transition.

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Problem vs. solution

01.

Table of contents

The best product

02.

Market Analysis

03.

Our business model

04.

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Our company

Executive Summary

Nimiipuu Energy has become a regional leader in the deployment of Photovoltaic (PV) solar and battery storage. In less than two years, Nimiipuu Energy has deployed 1.1MW of PV on seven sites and built two micro-grids utilizing advanced battery technology. Most notably, all the initial PV/storage deployments were constructed by Tribal members with no prior solar experience.

Climate change, looming salmon extinction, and a dynamic national market for renewable energy are driving Nimiipuu Energy’s effort to become a leader in the operation of Virtual Power Plants across the Western Grid.

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Our History

The Nez Perce Tribe recognizes that energy and business practices over the past 150 years have negatively affected the Indigenous peoples of the region and devastated the native wildlife and environment. The once great salmon runs of the Columbia and Snake Rivers have been especially affected. In Nez Perce culture, there is no separation between Salmon and the People--the future of the fish is interwoven with the future of the People.

Thirteen populations of Columbia River anadromous fish are listed under the Endangered Species Act and all four species of native Salmon and Steelhead are in danger of extinction. Our current energy systems on the Snake and Columbia Rivers have dramatically altered the rivers and devastated fish populations. Seventeen billion dollars have been spent on salmon restoration in recent years in the Columbia River system and the salmon stocks continue towards extinction. The 2022 estimate for Sockeye Salmon returning to Idaho spawning grounds is two hundred fish, and less than 10 of these will be natural, wild fish.

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History continued…

Climate Change and Energy Subcommittee formulation Spring 2019

Serves to address climate change and natural resource issues, promote eco-justice, mitigation strategies, energy consumption, energy developments, environmental health, workforce development, and all efforts to take the Tribe to being greener, utilizing sustainable methodology and having sustainable solutions for and on behalf of the Nez Perce Tribe.

This created a political avenue for energy projects to come through.

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Problem vs solution

01.

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$510,000,000

Commercial and Industrial project goal…

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Our team

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Problem

Energy is the largest commodity in the Western United States, and energy will continue to be the societal foundation that drives innovation and business. Underserved and remote communities have often missed this innovation and opportunity and pay a disproportionate amount for energy, while simultaneously withstanding the worst of exploration and environmental degradation for this commodity. We aim to reverse this trend and become the leader in the rapidly expanding market of renewable energy.

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Our Commitment

Our Cooperative

In September 2020, The Nez Perce Tribe Executive Committee passed a Resolution seeking:

  • Energy Independence
  • Resilience against Climate Change
  • Financial self-determination
  • A future for the Salmon runs of the Columbia and Snake Rivers

Nimiipuu Energy will work with Tribal reservations across the Western Grid to form the largest Virtual Power Plant in the United States. By cooperating in the deployment of solar and battery storage on sovereign Indian Reservations, we can attain renewable energy penetration at a faster and more efficient rate than currently practices allow.

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Solution

The rapid evolution of solar and storage technologies provides Nimiipuu Energy a weapon in the fight for energy independence and environmental restoration. The idea of energy independence and dispersed energy was not possible until the last several years.

In 2016, The US Army Corps of Engineers stated it will take 5311 MW of solar to offset the four lower Snake River dams. Nimiipuu Energy intends to meet that challenge and install 5311 MW of solar and additional storage as identified by the Corps of Engineers. The Nez Perce Tribe has developed plans to install 10% of the 5311MW requirements on their reservation and will additionally provide the structure and training to assist other regional tribes in supporting this effort. We will replicate our effort on the Nez Perce Reservation with other Tribes through technical assistance and training.

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SWOT analysis

S

W

O

T

Successful proof of concept

Job creation

Easy duplication

Building Partnerships for other projects

Weaknesses

Governmental funding mechanisms and educating community

Opportunities

Strengths

Threats

Political investment into the old energy system

Supply & Demand

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Strategic Partners

RevoluSun Mountain States, LLC.

SWELL ENERGY

Nimiipuu Energy

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Product overview

Workforce Development

PV solar

Advanced technology and Integration

Battery Storage

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Insert your multimedia content here

Product demo

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Financial Plan

70%

DOE Guaranteed Loan

25%

Tax Equity Investors

5%

Tribal Equity Purchases

DOE

Tax investor

Tribal purchase

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Investor funding

Draw Schedule

Cumulative

Amount:

($51,000,000)

1-May-23

($51,000,000)

First Draw

$102,000,000

8/15/2023

$51,000,000

Second Draw

$25,000,000

10/15/2023

$76,000,000

Third Draw

$50,000,000

12/15/2023

$126,000,000

Fourth Draw

$50,000,000

3/31/2024

$176,000,000

Fifth Draw

$50,000,000

6/30/2024

$226,000,000

Sixth Draw

$50,000,000

8/31/2024

$276,000,000

Seventh Draw

$50,000,000

10/1/2024

$326,000,000

Eighth Draw

$50,000,000

12/15/2024

$376,000,000

Ninth Draw

$50,000,000

3/15/2025

$426,000,000

10th draw

$50,000,000

6/15/2025

$476,000,000

$34,000,000

9/15/2025

$510,000,000

12/15/2025

$510,000,000

$561,000,000

$510 Million

American Lending, an EB-5 group, for $40M-$200M of capital to participate in the project. They would come in as intermediate term debt and as part of the USDA rural development qualified projects USDA would take them out in year 3-5 and replace their position.

The development would be PPA (Power purchase Agreement) contract and provide a relatively low risk environment.

Draw Schedule is a 90/10 model and overall goal to achieve with Nanban Chola PE Main, LLC.

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A picture is worth a thousand words

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Market analysis

35%

10%

The Department of Energy Solar Future study shows that 30 Gigawatts of solar must be installed between 2025-2030 and ramp to 60 Gigawatts in 2030-2050 to meet grid decarbonization goals.

Nimiipuu Energy goals of 5311 MW of solar before October 5, 2027 is just a start in the installation capabilities on Indian Reservations. Indian Reservations are a necessary component in the modernization and resiliency of the US Grid. By focusing on hardscapes, existing facilities, and residences, we have the capability to assist in grid decarbonization goals on a large scale.

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Workforce Development and Education

A streamlined, focused training plan allows the Tribal employees to receive on-the-job training and certification.

All employees start with OSHA 10 Safety Certification and SEI RE100—Introduction to Renewable Energy classes. This is combined with on-site training for PV racking and panel installation, electrical wiring processes, site mapping, advanced safety protocols and general construction skills.

All employees are paid from their first hour on the job and training is included in their skills development.

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Career Pathways and STEM Education

OSHA 10 and RE 100 are completed for all current indigenous solar employees. On the job training is continuing for installation, sales, service, and maintenance.

  • We are creating a training program for National Board of Certified Energy Practitioner (NABCEP) Solar Certification for continuing education. Working with Lewis Clark State College Workforce Training and Development and creating a specialized curriculum, career pathway.
  • Also working with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation for K-12 renewables education that will also utilize the career pathway into solar and energy coaching curriculum.

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DOE projections show the Decarbonized Grid will be 51% solar in 2050

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Timeline

243 kw of PV Clearwater Casino

147 kw of PV Lapwai Senior Housing

60 kw of PV Kamiah Senior Housing.

Residential - 100MW of PV and 152 MWh of storage

5000 residential solar/storage and 200 C&I projects are identified

2021

Phase I complete

Micro-grid and storage installed

Renewable Energy Program created

2022

2023

125 kw of PV Public Safety Building.

57 Homes with solar/storage in Whitebird

and Sundown Heights Housing.

2024-2027

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Thank you!

Presentation created on behalf of Nimiipuu Energy by: