REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Amendments to the Agreement for Services with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for Renewable Microgrid Feasibility Study and Design Services
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
In May 2021, after a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, the City Council (RTC# 21-442) authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) to conduct a feasibility study and provide design services for renewable energy microgrids.
Renewable energy microgrids are a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that act as a single controllable entity, which can serve its own load independent of an electric utility's grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from an electric utility's grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island mode utilizing solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems.
The implementation of microgrids may help protect the City of Santa Clara's most critical sites from experiencing operational downtime, increase electrical infrastructure resiliency, and reduce diesel generator run-times. Additionally, the daily operations and standby power from microgrids will reduce pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, supporting the City's Climate Action Plan.
As part of a feasibility study, AECOM evaluated two candidate Santa Clara fire stations for potential microgrid deployment. AECOM recommended Fire Station #2 as the most suitable site. Because of this fire station's location, a microgrid also has the potential to benefit the adjacent Santa Clara Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Integrating the EOC into the Fire Station #2 microgrid would increase the photovoltaic solar system from 150 kW AC (Alternating Current) to approx...
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