[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 116 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14833]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 17, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Golden Field Office; Federal Assistance Award to Southern
California Edison Company
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of Financial Assistance Award in Response to an
Unsolicited Financial Assistance Application.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the DOE
Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.7, is announcing its intention
to enter into a cooperative agreement with Southern California Edison
(SCE) Company for an on-grid photovoltaics (PV) implementation program.
ADDRESSES: Questions regarding this announcement may be addressed to
the U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Blvd.,
Golden, Colorado 80401, Attention: J.W. Meeker, Contract Specialist.
The telephone number is 303-275-4748. Dr. Paul K. Kearns is the
Contracting Officer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE has evaluated, in accordance with
Sec. 600.14 of the Federal Assistance Regulations, the unsolicited
proposal entitled ``PV Implementation Program'' and recommends that the
unsolicited proposal be accepted for support without further
competition in accordance with Sec. 600.14 of the Federal Assistance
Regulations.
DOE is actively pursuing a program towards solar energy conversion,
with one major objective being the cost-effective application of
photovoltaics (PV) in utility applications. This SCE activity directly
relates to the program objective and could be a significant step toward
the implementation of PV in utility applications. The proposal from SCE
is a unique opportunity to install PV in a utility application which is
likely to be one of the closest to being cost effective in the near
term. In addition, SCE is active in the promotion of renewable energy
sources and is an ideal utility candidate to pursue the proposed PV
application.
The proposed application involves using PV to meet peak load
requirements on selected SCE electric distribution circuits. The
circuits of interest are old, underground 4 kV circuits which have
reached the limit of their load-carrying capability. The circuits serve
residential areas which have seen recent growth in peak load
requirements so that the circuits will soon exceed their limit during
the summer peak load period. Without PV, the main alternative is to
replace the circuits by excavating city streets and landscaping to
install new underground, high-capacity cable. Installing PV to meet the
peak load requirements on these circuits results in the deferment of
this significant cable replacement expense. SCE estimated that
replacement of about 200 miles of underground 4 kV circuits in their
system could be deferred by the use of grid-connected PV. This would
require approximately 25 MW of PV to meet the peak loads on these
circuits.
The successful implementation of this project would provide:
1. The installation of on-grid PV systems in high-value,
distributed-generation locations.
2. Major sustained PV procurements over several years, resulting in
a stimulus to suppliers.
3. PV price reductions which are expected to occur from large,
sequential installations.
4. Consistent, professionally-designed PV installations which will
serve as demonstrations for other utilities and industries.
5. A cleaner environment in the SCE service area.
The proposed on-grid PV installations are well-suited to the SCE
service area. Several candidate 4 kV circuits have been identified for
the displacement of peak loads by grid-connected PV, with a
sufficiently large number of potential additional circuits to allow the
project to develop into a major PV demonstration if warranted.
Preliminary surveys conducted by SCE indicate that sufficient space
will be available in the residential areas to allow PV installations.
SCE has significant previous experience in PV systems, and has the
necessary facilities to perform design and monitoring functions. SCE
has been involved with PV since 1978, and has been one of the most
active utilities in the field of renewable energy. By assigning a
Manager of PV Applications, SCE has increased its commitment to PV
development and implementation.
SCE has proposed a two-phase program, including a project
feasibility assessment and project implementation. The feasibility
assessment will identify all technical, regulatory, budget/schedule,
and environmental issues related to the program in combination with the
installation and monitoring of several small, pilot PV systems. The
results of this initial project phase will be used by SCE and DOE to
determine the merits of proceeding to the second phase. Phase II will
include PV system final design, installation, and performance
monitoring, and will proceed only after completion of Phase I and after
approval from DOE.
The team proposed by SCE has sufficient experience in the
development and deployment of PV systems, and should be capable of
successfully implementing the proposed on-grid PV program. As noted
above, SCE has appointed a Manager of PV Applications to strengthen the
emphasis on PV implementation.
The proposed multi-disciplinary team includes personnel with
experience in project management, cost/schedule development and
control, project engineering, PV applications, system planning,
environmental affairs, and customer service. As a major electric
utility which has successfully completed complex energy generation
projects, SCE has the expertise required to perform all functions
associated with PV implementation and monitoring in the proposed
application.
In addition, a Project Review Committee (PRC) will be established
during the initial project phase to assist in technical, analysis, data
collection, and information dissemination issues. The PRC will have
members from SCE, DOE, UPVG, and national laboratories.
The proposal has been found to be meritorious as stated above in
the evaluation. The SCE program represents a unique approach to utility
applications of PV which has potential for near-term cost
effectiveness. SCE has the capabilities and commitment to renewable
energy sources which should provide a basis for successful PV
implementation in the proposed application. The proposed project is not
eligible for financial assistance under a recent, current, or planned
solicitation.
The program cost is estimated to be $5,000,000 total, with the DOE
share being $2,500,000 and the SCE share being $2,500,000.
John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 94-14833 Filed 6-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M
