The times, they are a-changing – and the structure of the electric delivery system is evolving, along with the roles of the state’s electric distribution companies, generators, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, ISO New England, and customers. Technology and diversification of sources are being restructured, refined, and modernized to capitalize on emerging technologies and shifting consumer demands.

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has selected 25 projects to move forward with contract negotiations, the next step for projects selected in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for small-scale clean energy projects. Collectively, the projects would generate approximately 402 Megawatts (MW) of electricity, which includes 34 MW of energy efficiency.

Information on the small-scale projects – selected to advance to negotiate power purchase contracts with Connecticut’s two electric distribution companies, Eversource and United Illuminating (UI) – can be found here. The power purchase agreements proposed by project developers and the electric distribution companies will ultimately be submitted for regulatory approval by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).

“The response to the RFP for small-scale clean energy projects was robust and competitive – giving us the welcome challenge of carefully considering more than 100 projects and evaluating them against our established criteria,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “In the end, we were pleased to select a wide range of projects – including solar, wind, and even energy efficiency – and also encouraged to see that 11 of them will be located right here in Connecticut. These in-state projects – nine solar, one wind, and 34 MW of energy efficiency – total 170 MW. This will bring more jobs and economic activity as well as cost-effective clean energy into the state.”

“More power from the sun hits the Earth in a single hour than humanity uses in an entire year, yet solar only provided 0.0039% of the energy used in the U.S. last year.” – Rebecca Harrington, Tech Insider/Business Insider 2015.

A final decision, reflecting the basis for DEEP’s selection as well as the results of the two clean-energy RFPs (including pricing, quantity, and identity of contracted projects) will be submitted to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority after the conclusion of contract negotiations, expected in early 2017.

Projects Selected to Move Forward in the Small-Scale Energy RFP (Project Name/Technology/Location/Capacity – MW)

Pawcatuck Solar Center
Solar
Stonington CT
15.00
(Coronal Development Services, LLC)

Swantown Road Solar
Solar
Preston CT
6.00
(SunEast Development LLC)

Hecate Energy Greene County I
Solar
Coxsackie NY
19.99
(Hecate Energy LLC)

Holiday Hill Community Wind
Wind
Russell MA
5.00
(Holiday Hill Community Wind, LLC)

Hecate Energy Albany County I
Solar
Ravena NY
19.99
(Hecate Energy LLC)

Kidder Hill Community Wind
Wind
Irasburg VT
5.00
(Kidder Hill Community Wind, LLC)

Swanton Wind
Wind
Swanton VT
17.50
(Swanton Wind, LLC)

Litchfield Solar Plant + Park Project, Litchfield Solar Plant I Facility
Solar
Litchfield CT
19.80
(Connecticut Energy Parks, LLC)

Incremental Energy Efficiency – ES
Energy Efficiency
Connecticut
34.00
(Eversource Energy)

North Stonington Solar Plant + Park Project, NS Solar Plant I Facility
Solar
North Stonington CT
9.99
(Connecticut Energy Parks, LLC)

W. Portsmouth St. Solar
Solar
Concord NH
14.69
(W. Portsmouth St. Solar, LLC) – Ranger Solar

Constitution Solar
Solar
Plainfield CT
19.59
(Constitution Solar LLC)– Ranger Solar

Highgate Solar
Solar
Highgate Center VT
19.60
(Highgate Solar I LLC) – Ranger Solar

Hinckley Solar
Solar
Fairfield ME
19.58
(Hinckley Solar LLC) – Ranger Solar

Randolph Center Solar
Solar
Randolph Center VT
19.58
(Randolph Center Solar, LLC) – Ranger Solar

Sheldon Solar
Solar
Sheldon Springs VT
19.63
(Sheldon Solar, LLC) – Ranger Solar

Winslow Solar
Solar
Clinton ME
19.58
(Winslow Solar, LLC) – Ranger Solar

Davenport Solar
Solar
Brandon VT
19.58
(Davenport Solar LLC) – Ranger Solar

Nutmeg Solar
Solar
Enfield CT
19.60
(Nutmeg Solar, LLC) – Ranger Solar

GRE-15-NORTH HAVEN-CT
Solar
North Haven CT
4.98
(GRE GACRUX LLC)

Wallingford Renewable Energy (WRE)
Solar
Wallingford CT
19.99
(Lend Lease (US) Energy Development LLC)

Wind Colebrook South
Wind
Colebrook CT
3.50
(BNE Energy Inc.)

Savoy Wind Project
Wind
Savoy MA
12.50
(Palmer Management Corporation jointly with Minuteman Wind LLC)

GRE-29-WATERFORD-CT
Solar
Waterford CT
17.73
(GRE GACRUX LLC)

Coolidge Solar I
Solar
Ludlow VT
19.59
(Coolidge Solar I, LLC) – Ranger Solar

Small-Scale Clean Energy RFP

The “small resources” clean energy RFP was issued for projects that could negotiate long term contracts for Class I renewables under 20 MW and energy efficiency and energy storage projects of any size. Projects were selected after an extensive evaluation process, which took into account both quantitative (price) and qualitative factors as directed by statute.

DEEP had previously announced these actions on the other two RFPs:

• Natural Gas RFP – DEEP canceled an RFP that sought proposals for natural gas resources, including liquefied natural gas, natural gas pipeline capacity and natural gas storage. The Notice of the Cancellation of the Natural Gas RFP has been posted here.

• Three State Clean Energy RFP – DEEP selected projects submitted in response to an RFP issued jointly by Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island for large-scale hydropower, Class I renewables above 20 megawatts (MW) in size, and associated transmission. The selected projects have advanced to negotiate power purchase contracts with Eversource and United Illuminating (UI), which will be subject to regulatory approval by PURA.

A listing of the bidders/projects selected to move forward in the Three State RFP include Massachusetts/Connecticut/RI – Antrim Wind, Ranger Solar, Cassadaga Wind; For Massachusetts/RI, Deepwater Wind, Amerescohas. Complete information posted here.

Background on the RFPs

The three energy resources procurement RFPs in Connecticut were authorized under Public Act 15-107, which, together with an earlier statute, Public Act 13-303, enabled the Department to seek proposals from a broad range of resources to help address energy infrastructure constraints in New England.

“The two clean energy RFPs have served to advance the cheaper and cleaner portions of Connecticut’s energy agenda,” said Klee. “We are also interested, however, in steps we can take to move forward with other critical energy goals, such as reliability, diversity of power sources. This effort would involve a review of our procurement processes, as well as existing programs for technologies such as anaerobic digesters, fuel cells, and energy storage.”

“With that in mind,” Klee said, “DEEP will hold a session to review the procurement process for the large and small scale clean energy RFPs under Public Act 15-107 and Public Act 13-303 and solicit feedback on lessons learned to inform future efforts. This session is expected to be scheduled for the first quarter of 2017, after executed contracts have been submitted to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, for both the large and small-scale clean energy projects.”

Connecticut’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES) 2016: Additional Opportunities for Stakeholder Engagement

In addition, DEEP will continue to engage stakeholders by hosting a series of technical meetings as part of the continued development of the state’s updated Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES). DEEP has already held such sessions on renewable thermal and demand response technologies.

Additional sessions are planned on topics, such as: Grid Modernization-Utility grid-side demonstration projects (Dec. 6, 9:00 notice). Shared Clean Energy. Siting of renewable energy. Electric Vehicles. For additional information, start here at ct.gov grid modernization.