[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