Provision of Services for Disconnected Microgrid

⁠⁠⁠Provision of Services for Disconnected Microgrid WS314946691 - Registration of Interest

The Organization

Western Power is a Western Australian State Government owned corporation which is responsible for building, maintaining and operating an electricity network which connects over 1.1 million customers to traditional and renewable energy sources.

Problem Statement

Western Power’s aging distribution network (415v to 33kV) is approaching end of life in many areas, with replacement cost presenting a significant challenge particularly in remote locations. For small rural towns near the edge of the grid, the sustainability issue in replacing the network can be compounded by poor reliability, with customers experiencing frequent power interruptions due to stretches of bare overhead conductor sometimes hundreds of kilometres long.

In Midwest/Wheatbelt/ Great Southern areas, these towns have peak loads in the order of a few hundred kilowatts and daily average kWh usage of in the order of few hundred kilowatt hours for the majority of the year. The demand increases during grain receivals, roughly Nov/Dec to in about 1000 kWh per day during weekdays.

Preliminary Feasibility (PF) assessments indicated that, in some cases the rebuilding of the network presents significantly higher cost than providing a supply to the same load via a Disconnected Microgrid (DMG). A DMG is an isolated self-supported network operating independently from the rest of the grid. It is supported by a battery providing power control, significant renewable generation (PV was used in the PF) and a backup conventional diesel generator. It is similar to a Stand- alone Power system (SPS) but services more than 5 customers. It is expected that over the life of the DMG generation asset elements of the DMG will require replacement.

About the opportunity

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 August 2025.

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 organizations, 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.
• Fault current capability and duration to ensure protection operation; and

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 Microgrid 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.

*** IMPORTANT ***

Please ensure the following details are included in your registration:

1. Please specify the advertised tender event number you are responding to: WS314946691_Disconnected Microgrid - Network Support Services
2. 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.

Please find answers to several questions on FAQs page below.

Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact:

Peter Ling – Senior Category & Contracts Specialist.

peter.ling@westernpower.com.au

Next Steps:

Western Power will review and evaluate the registrations received against the scope requirements. If successful, the shortlisted registrants would then be progressed and invited to submit an Expression of Interest and/or a Request for Proposal. Western Power notes that registered organizations may receive an invitation to attend a webinar at some stage during the ROI. Participation in the webinar is optional and non-attendance will not negatively affect your organizations submission.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please refer to the attached appendix for the following information:

Locations of required services

Typical small rural own load data

FAQs