Provision of Services for Disconnected Microgrid

⁠⁠⁠Western Power aims to identify any third parties capable of providing a disconnected microgrid (DMG) supplying a small rural town in the Mid West/Wheatbelt/Great Southern.

The response required is either a:

• CAPEX Solution (Western Power owned, operated and maintained asset);
• OPEX Solution (vendor owned, operated and maintained asset); or
• A combination of both CAPEX and OPEX solution, that satisfies the design, supply and installation of a disconnected microgrid for a small rural town.

If there are successful proponent(s), the innovative integrated solutions must be deliverable by June 2023.

The solution must comply with relevant criteria in relation to the quality of supply in Technical Rules Section 2.

Proposed location
The services are required initially at one town with potential to provide similar services to other towns in the Midwest, Wheatbelt and Great Southern. The general area that is being considered for a disconnected microgrid to supply a town is the shown in Figure 1.

The scope
Western Power is seeking registrations of interest from suitably qualified and experienced organisations, for the provision of a DMG. Western Power (in line with recent Government initiatives) will be targeting local businesses that can demonstrate their capability and capacity to meet the requirements of the scope. Evaluation criteria may be aimed at local business to promote growth in this emerging industry.

Western Power is seeking design, supply and installation of a DMG that will be able to meet the following criteria:

• Supply a town with load characteristics similar to that provided in Appendix A;
• Significant portion of generation via renewable sources (90% or more);
• Long term operation that is reliable and maintainable understanding that main components will require replacement over time;
• Suitable to ensure motor starting for electric motors in the order of 45 kW with star delta soft starter with typical starting current of 450% of full load current lasting for 10 seconds; and
• Fault current capability and duration to ensure protection operation.

Western Power notes that due to the unknown OPEX solutions available in the market, any potential solution may be considered. Ongoing maintenance of the outstanding poles and wires can be included in potential OPEX solution, however is not mandatory.

Registration requirements
Suppliers are required to respond to the following for its Registration of Interest submission:

• Demonstrate track record and capability in delivering services for disconnected microgrids in relation to the high-level scope requirements stated above (capability statement) as well as elect the type of solution (CAPEX, OPEX or combination) that the supplier proposes.
• If available, references from at least three customers whom you have offered similar services.
• Safety, health & environment information to be requested as part of this exercise.

To be considered for the inclusion in the Request for Proposal, please your interest via the link below by no later than 4PM AWST, Friday 7th January 2022.

** IMPORTANT **

Please ensure the following details are included in your registration:

• Please specify the advertised tender event number you are responding to:WS314946691 Disconnected Microgrid - Network Support Services
• Commodity Code Number and Title: 81 – Engineering and Research and Technology Based Services

Western Power reserves the right to not proceed with any of the registration put forward as part of the process and provide the solutions internally by the network.