The microgrids are designed for three hours or more of backup to the schools, providing power to critical loads at each campus during a grid outage and avoiding the need for diesel generators. The RFP solicits bidders to construct the solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage microgrids at both schools, with the option of operating and maintaining the systems.
“The Temecula School District has already seen the benefits of solar firsthand” said Brent Johnson, Principal at Sage. “In 2016, our team oversaw the development of solar and energy storage systems across 20 District sites, which are projected to save the school over $10 million over the lifetime of the project.”
The new projects include a roof-mounted solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system microgrid at the new K8 Steam Academy in Winchester, and a solar canopy and battery energy storage system microgrid at the Rancho Elementary School. Sage produced the microgrid design for the K8 Steam site. The deadline to submit a proposal is November 6, with a pre-qualification deadline of October 23. Qualified bidders will have completed three 200 kW or larger PV projects, and two battery energy storage projects of 200 kW or larger. Temecula will select a contractor during the week of November 24, 2020, and targets contract approval by December 15, with a construction start date in March 2021, and project completion by August 2021.
Sage previously worked with Temecula Valley USD in 2016 on 6 MW of solar across 20 district sites, as well as 1.3 MW of energy storage/demand management at 5 district sites. The project was procured and contracted under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Tesla, resulting in no capital or operational costs to the District and a level price on solar for 20 years. Sage performed the feasibility study for the project and helped secure $1.2 million in state solar benefits, then provided owner’s representation for procurement, design, construction and commissioning.
The existing solar and storage projects are projected to generate well over $10 million in savings over the lifetime of the project. The new microgrids are expected to bring similar benefits to the district in addition to meeting their sustainability goals.
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