Connecticut Seeks Small-Scale Clean Energy; FuelCell Energy to Bid

March 11, 2016
Connecticut, an early leader in microgrids, is seeking proposals for small-scale clean energy projects; FuelCell Energy says it plans to bid.

Connecticut, an early leader in microgrids, is seeking proposals for small-scale clean energy projects, part of a larger effort to identify the best configuration of energy – large and small – for the state.

The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a request for proposals (RFP) March 9 for projects that offer 2- to 20 MW from renewables, energy storage and passive demand response. Bids are due May 4.

The state will only consider new projects — or existing projects if they are being expanded. Projects must begin delivering power no earlier than Jan. 1, 2017 and no later than Dec. 31, 2020.

Winners will have an opportunity to negotiate contracts with the states investor-owned utilities, Eversource and United Illuminating.

The RFP is being coordinated with an earlier Connecticut solicitation seeking large-scale clean energy projects – 20 MW to 400 MW.  DEEP is currently reviewing 30 responses to that RFP from bids offering wind, solar, fuel cell,  transmission and energy storage resources.

The state agency also is preparing a solicitation for natural gas resources to be used by power plants to improve electric reliability, especially in winter. High demand for natural gas – and lack of available supply – during cold snaps has driven up energy prices and threatened New England’s grid reliability.

DEEP plans to review the responses to all three RFPs, compare the projects against each other, and then put together a portfolio designed to provide electricity in a cost effective manner; reduce electric demand and improve the state’s resiliency and grid reliability, especially during winter peak demand.

Those projects offering ‘passive demand response’ can include energy efficiency, load management, thermal storage and incremental energy savings measures from conservation and load management programs that do not receive direct ratepayer funding. The demand response measures must be able to reduce electric demand by at least 1 MW for at least one hour per year during periods of peak demand.

The small-scale clean energy RFP is available on the DEEP filing pagePublic Act 15-107– Section 1(b).

Small scale clean energy sought by Connecticut RFP. Source: DEEP

Separately, FuelCell Energy said during an earnings call Thursday that it plans to submit multiple bids into the RFP for small scale clean energy. The projects will be of various sizes up to 20 MW.

The Connecticut-based company already is developing a 5.6 MW microgrid for biopharmaceutical company Pfizer in Groton, Conn.

FuelCell Energy also is modeling, designing and building a fuel cell microgrid for the town of Woodbridge, Connecticut.

“We have the capability to model, build and operate the microgrid which is an important differentiator for us. We are actively marketing our microgrid capabilities and are witnessing increasing interest as evidenced by the RFP activity in our markets,” Chip Bottone, FuelCell Energy president and CEO told investors.

The company also is poised to bid in a a 40-MW RFP for fuel-cell generation that the Long Island Power Authority is expected to issue soon.

Track microgrid project opportunities by subscribing to the free Microgrid Knowledge newsletter.

About the Author

Elisa Wood | Editor-in-Chief

Elisa Wood is an award-winning writer and editor who specializes in the energy industry. She is chief editor and co-founder of Microgrid Knowledge and serves as co-host of the publication’s popular conference series. She also co-founded RealEnergyWriters.com, where she continues to lead a team of energy writers who produce content for energy companies and advocacy organizations.

She has been writing about energy for more than two decades and is published widely. Her work can be found in prominent energy business journals as well as mainstream publications. She has been quoted by NPR, the Wall Street Journal and other notable media outlets.

“For an especially readable voice in the industry, the most consistent interpreter across these years has been the energy journalist Elisa Wood, whose Microgrid Knowledge (and conference) has aggregated more stories better than any other feed of its time,” wrote Malcolm McCullough, in the book, Downtime on the Microgrid, published by MIT Press in 2020.

Twitter: @ElisaWood

LinkedIn: Elisa Wood

Facebook:  Microgrids

In the Race to 100% Renewable Energy, Islands Will Win — With the Right Grid Improvements

March 18, 2024
Looked at individually, islands are often overlooked as unimportant players on the global economic stage. Smaller geographies, smaller communities, fewer resources, and often ...

MGK_VeritoneAIWPCover_2022-08-31_16-07-16
MGK_VeritoneAIWPCover_2022-08-31_16-07-16
MGK_VeritoneAIWPCover_2022-08-31_16-07-16
MGK_VeritoneAIWPCover_2022-08-31_16-07-16
MGK_VeritoneAIWPCover_2022-08-31_16-07-16

Can AI Help Build and Optimize a Truly Smart Grid?

In this white paper, you’ll learn how AI can solve the unique challenges of a modern, complex, renewable electric smart grid in real-time and at scale.