GEN 00005 Published On: 02/27/2024
Question: Will projects that are already in the DISIS study process be allowed to participate in the upcoming RFP?
Answer: In this process, DESC and CRA are developing a Competitive Procurement of Renewable Energy (CPRE) program in accordance with the requirements outlined by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina in Order No. 2023-550 for Docket No. 2022-238-E. However, projects that are in either a past or then current DISIS study process are expected to be allowed to participate in future CPRE RFPs as long as they are still active in their respective queue.
GEN 00004 Published On: 02/27/2024
Question: Do you plan to align the RFP bid window with the close of the DISIS request window?
Answer: DESC plans to align any future CPRE RFPs with the DISIS request window.
GEN 00003 Published On: 02/07/2024
Question: How will projects that propose to use Surplus Interconnection Service be evaluated in Section 3.3.1 of the Evaluation Criteria Appendix? Use of this service at a DESC owned power plant can provide expedited, low-cost interconnection service outside of the DISIS process. Would bids with projects eligible to use this interconnection service, subject to the approval of DESC, still be deducted 150 points since an existing queue position at the time of bid submittal is not feasible?
Answer: Any proposal that seeks to use Surplus Interconnection at any of DESC’s existing generation facilities by a third-party owned project will not be evaluated. However, Surplus Interconnection will be evaluated at any site for an existing third-party transmission customer of DESC. The same goes for Generator Replacement (whereby a customer may be able to replace a facility up to its existing interconnection rating in an expedited manner).
GEN 00002 (revised 01/04/2024) Published On: 01/04/2024
Question: DESC should consider and include BESS in the RFP process. Some of the key reasons for the same are: IRP Requirements:
1. Current DESC IRP call for BESS as a part of the future needs.
2. Accordingly, if there is a future requisition of BESS, DESC can utilize the same RFP document instead of going through another stakeholder process for the requisition.
Renewable Energy Enabler:
3. BESS increases integration of renewable energy sources essentially managing the intermittency and variability of the renewable energy source.
4. BESS assists in reducing air pollution by lowering the dependence on fossil peaking generation which typically generate significant emissions during fast startup requirements. The consequence on the air pollution is even more impactful if the BESS is located closer to a greater metropolitan area.
Backup Generation:
5. BESS serves as a backup power source during outages and peak demand. DESC experienced shortages during the Winter of 2022.
6. BESS enables integrating demand response programs assisting in managing cost-effectively electricity consumption during peak hours.
7. BESS strategically located can provide continuous power supply during emergencies thus reducing vulnerability to disruptions which can be a major benefit to South Carolina which experiences weather related emergencies regularly.
Peak Shaving:
8. Reduce peak demand during periods of high electricity use through discharging stored energy during peak hours and need for costly peaker plants.
9. BESS helps reduce peak electric prices preventing price spikes.
Grid Support:
10. By responding rapidly to fluctuations in supply and demand, BESS provides greater flexibility, reliability and stability to the grid operations thus preventing voltage sags and blackouts.
11. BESS can also act as frequency regulators maintaining the grid’s frequency within acceptable limits making it a valuable tool to ensure a consistent and reliable power supply.
12. BESS can reduce operational costs, enhance grid reliability and defer expensive infrastructure investments.
Answer: The Public Service Commission of South Carolina ordered Dominion Energy South Carolina (“DESC”) to develop a Competitive Procurement of Renewable Energy (“CPRE”) program in accordance with Order No. 2023-550 for Docket No. 2022-238-E. Bids to fulfill this CPRE must meet the definition of renewable energy facilities as defined by S.C. Code § 58-41-10(12) , which does not include battery energy storage systems (“BESS”). DESC welcomes bids from BESS through our all-source RFP process.
GEN 00001 Published On: 01/03/2024
Question: How is Dominion planning on handling curtailment? Previously this was handled by when projects entered the serial queue and the last projects were assigned the most curtailment. Given the RFP will align with the cluster process now, will there be a maximum allowed non-compensated curtailment rate for projects specifically in the CPRE program, and if so, what would be the order in which Dominion’s existing facilities, other solar assets, and CPRE projects be curtailed?
Answer: The purpose of this CPRE stakeholder process is to develop a CPRE program framework. Any handling of curtailment would be specific to each CPRE. DESC does not have control over the number of PURPA QF solar facilities that may interconnect ahead of dispatchable CPRE resources. These PURPA QF generators may have priority and effectively increase the curtailment of CPRE resources. DESC does not have control over many of these factors and does not intend to guarantee curtailment or position in the curtailment queue. DESC anticipates increasing rates of curtailment as the flexible resources needed to avoid curtailment are delayed in other dockets or planned for implementation several years from now.