REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on an Agreement for Services with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for Renewable Energy Microgrid Feasibility Study and Design Services
Report
COUNCIL PILLARS
Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) intends to install renewable energy microgrids at two City fire stations. Renewable energy microgrids are defined as a group of interconnected load(s) and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that act as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island mode.
The microgrids will help protect the City'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 the microgrids will reduce criteria pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in support of the City's Climate Action Plan.
One microgrid each will be located at Fire Station #1 and Fire Station #2. SVP is partnering with the Santa Clara Fire Department to prioritize Fire Station #1, with the potential to co-locate the Fire Station #2 microgrid with additional critical public site(s) to enable a community microgrid concept. The installed microgrids will allow the two fire stations to operate off-grid in an islanded mode using solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems.
Before the microgrids can be constructed and installed, SVP requires a qualified and experienced contractor to perform a feasibility study and design process. The feasibility study and design shall determine the benefits, risks, and costs, as well as the final specifications and placement of the planned microgrids.
DISCUSSION
In July 2020, the City issued a Request for Proposals (...
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