Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is seeking proposals from 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. The Sparkill Substation is a single-bank distribution substation located on Route 340 in Orangeburg, New York, serving approximately 4,400 customers from four 13.2kV distribution circuits, with most customers located in the Villages of Sparkill, Piermont, Nyack, and Palisades in New York, and approximately 20 customers in Rockleigh, New Jersey.
The project need involves reducing loading on circuit 50-3-13 through potential non-wires alternatives solutions, including Distributed Energy Resources (DER). The NWA solution must provide 2 MW of load reduction to prevent circuit 50-3-13 from exceeding the conductor relief rating. The solution will be required to provide the specified load relief through summer 2033, at which time planned upgrades at the Sparkill Substation will improve area circuit and bank capacity. The relief is needed during peak summer periods (June, July, August, September) for approximately 60 days per year between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., corresponding to system loads greater than 1,000 MW.
Proposed solutions may be a portfolio of DER technologies, though O&R anticipates that energy storage will be required along Route 9W between Rockland Road and the New York-New Jersey State Line. One 2 MW / 12 MWhr Distributed Generation (battery) system will be connected to circuit 50-3-13. The battery shall be charged between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., with discharge and charge times subject to revision at O&R's discretion. The distributed generation site requires vendors to review associated local permitting laws and regulations, with vendors responsible for all monetary improvements at the point of interconnection.
All proposals must demonstrate that they meet ANSI voltage and frequency requirements, include adequate system protection and synchronization, and adhere to all appropriate and reliable operating requirements and standards for the 13.2kV (Grd-Y) distribution system. The proposed NWA solution must operate in parallel with O&R's system, and the battery output must match the charge/discharge profile specified in the RFP. The solution must include a control system capable of remote monitoring and control that can be integrated into 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 dates include the RFP issuance on October 23, 2024, a pre-bid conference call on November 7, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., a deadline to submit clarification questions by November 22, 2024, a deadline to become enabled in the O&R/Con Edison procurement system by December 6, 2024, with responses to clarification questions also due December 6, 2024. The proposal submission deadline is January 15, 2025.