Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is seeking qualified respondents to deliver innovative non-wires alternatives (NWA) solutions that provide system reliability and load relief to the electric distribution system in the Sparkill, New York area. This RFP is part of O&R's efforts to support the New York Public Service Commission's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative and the state's energy storage goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
The Sparkill Substation is a single-bank distribution substation located on Route 340 in Orangeburg, New York, serving approximately 4,400 customers across four 13.2kV distribution circuits primarily in the Villages of Sparkill, Piermont, Nyack, and Palisades, with a small number of customers in Rockleigh, New Jersey. The specific need is to reduce loading on circuit 50-3-13 through non-wires alternatives solutions, including distributed energy resources (DER). The NWA must provide 2 MW of peak load reduction for 6 hours daily (2 p.m. to 8 p.m.) during approximately 60 days per year during peak summer periods (June through September) when system load exceeds 1,000 MW. This load relief capability must be maintained through summer 2033, at which time planned upgrades at the Sparkill Substation will improve area circuit and bank capacity. The contract may be extended for up to an additional five years if the substation upgrade is delayed.
The complete solution may be a portfolio of DER technologies, though O&R anticipates that energy storage will be required. Solutions must be located along Route 9W and adjacent property between Rockland Road, Sparkill, NY, and the NYS State Line with New Jersey. The preferred location is shown on the provided map in the red zone. All proposed distributed generation (battery storage) must be charged between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., though discharge and charge times may be revised at O&R's discretion. The battery system is specified as 2 MW/12 MWhr capacity, with vendors responsible for sizing batteries to support the required charge/discharge schedule outlined in the RFP. Respondents must submit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or letter of commitment from the landowner for any property where DER assets will be installed.
Responses must demonstrate compliance with ANSI voltage and frequency standards, adequate system protection and synchronization, balanced 3-phase connection to the existing 13.2kV system without system upgrades, and integration with O&R's existing DSCADA system. The protection schemes must distinguish internal from external system disturbances to prevent nuisance tripping and support system resiliency. Key evaluation criteria include proposal content completeness, solution viability, technology maturity and scalability, functionality for load reduction and reliability, environmental and community impacts, unit cost analysis ($/MWh and $/MW), benefit-cost analysis results, implementation timeliness, price and reliability comparison, respondent qualifications and experience, applicability to REV goals, feasibility of implementation within required timeframes, and positive community impact. All proposals must include comprehensive information on the respondent's professional background and experience, financial statements for the past three years, examples of similar prior work with references, detailed technology descriptions, hourly electric load reduction impact analysis, community and environmental impact assessments, detailed project plans and timelines, measurement and verification methodologies, cost breakdowns, and responses to the Non-Wires Alternatives Solution Questionnaire (Attachment A).