UW Battery Electrical Energy Storage System (BESS)

Request for Information

UW # WS990907230

This is a two-tier solicitation. Bidders interested in submitting a proposal in response to any subsequent RFP must submit a response to this RFI by the deadline outlined below.

Purpose: The University of Washington (UW) Department of Electrical Engineering seeks to install a Li-Ion battery electrical energy storage system (BESS) for the purposes of demonstrating and developing advanced BESS control algorithms that support electric grid operations and campus energy efficiency. The purpose of this RFI is to gather information from potential suppliers on the hardware and software characteristics of commercially available BESS. This BESS should be based on well-proven, safe battery and energy conversion technologies that can be installed within an existing building.

The supplier is expected to provide an external software interface based on the Modular Energy Storage Architecture (MESA) communications standard. This interface must allow UW not only to monitor the operation of the battery but also to control its charging and discharging using software that UW will develop. The University of Washington researchers will apply their expertise in data analytics, control and optimization to develop techniques, tools, and strategies for the control of this BESS. In particular, they intend to • Demonstrate advanced control algorithms, developed by UW, that optimize the use of the BESS in conjunction with the campus distribution grid. • Collect grid and energy storage system performance data to evaluate and quantify the benefits created by a grid-integrated energy storage system while being controlled by different algorithms.

Scope of Work: The purpose of this Request for Information is gather information from experienced Suppliers who can provide a BESS system that meets the following system requirements:

The system the UW wishes to purchase must include:

 A Lithium-Ion battery  A battery management system (BMS) integrated with this battery  A power conversion system with its control and communication software  A fully accessible MESA-compliant communication and control interface  A complete description of this communication and control interface

Functional Requirements The BESS solution should conform to the following system requirements: 1. Electrical connection to building AC system:

a. 3-phase, 4-wire 480 VAC connection

b. Compatible with existing transformer: 13.8kV Delta primary / 480V Grounded Wye secondary

2. Communications interface: Modular Energy Storage Architecture (MESA) compliant.

a. Information on MESA-device protocols can be found at www.mesastandards.org.

b. Components will integrate with an external control system via the MESA-device standards. ESS components may have a single interface to an external controller or there may be separate interfaces for the power conversion system (PCS) and the battery management system (BMS).

c. Communication protocol is Modbus/TCP (Ethernet).

3. Physical dimensions:

a. Can be assembled inside a building using a pallet jack (no forklift access)

b. Floor mounted with anchoring bolts

c. Total electrolyte weight must be less than 1000 lbs.

4. Energy Storage system boundaries are defined as:

a. Inverter 480 VAC output terminal

b. Auxiliary power input: terminals within ESS system components

c. Grounding points on ESS components

5. Fire suppression system (Optional)

Suppliers are requested to provide information for one or more system configurations that meet the requirements and fall within the BESS configuration ranges illustrated in Table 1 and Figure 1. Minimum Maximum Notes Battery Chemistry Lithium Ion Capacity 100 kVA 250 kVA Capacity refers to available real and reactive power capability. Maximum Power 100 kW 250 kW Duration at 1.5 hr 4 hr maximum power Energy 100 kWh 400 kWh May exceed maximum if electrolyte weight less than 1000 lbs. Available for 2Q 2017 4Q 2017 Availability FOB (does not include shipment shipping time)

Table 1. BESS requirements.

Figure 1. BESS capacity requirements.

System Integration In addition to providing a BESS solution as outlined above, the Supplier will be expected to:  Obtain the necessary permits to assemble and install the BESS on the UW premises  Assemble and install the BESS on the UW premises  Connect the BESS to UW’s building AC system  Demonstrate the ability of the BESS to charge and discharge  Demonstrate the functionality of the MESA-compliant communication and control interface that UW will use to develop higher-level control and optimization software.

TIMELINE: RFI Released: April 11, 2017 Final Date to send email for Invitation to Event: May 3, 2017, 5:00PM PST Optional Meeting: April 14, 2017, 8:30AM PST Responses Must be Submitted Via Ariba No Later Than: May 9, 2017, 5:00PM PST

An optional meeting will be held April 14, 2017 at 8:30am at the UW Procurement Office located at 4300 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105. It is recommended all Suppliers attend this meeting in-person but for Suppliers unable to attend in-person, a teleconference phone number may be provided.

The purpose of the meeting is to present the scope of the project and answer any potential questions. The meeting is an opportunity for respondents to raise concerns regarding specifications, project scope, and any requirements of this RFI.

Suppliers should send their RSVP via email to [email protected] in advance of the meeting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This RFI is being conducted electronically through the University’s Ariba Sourcing Event website. Suppliers interested in submitting a proposal are required to submit their RFI response via the UW Ariba Sourcing Event website.

To view and respond to a UW RFI, please determine your supplier type and follow the instructions below.

Suppliers NEW to Ariba: 1. Register on the UW Ariba Sourcing Event website using this link: http://uw.supplier.ariba.com/ 2. After registering, send an email to [email protected] saying that you would like to respond to this RFI. Be sure to include the RFI # and your Ariba Network ID number (ANID) in your email – you will then receive an invitation to join the RFI via email. If you do not send an email, you will not be invited to the event.

Suppliers ALREADY REGISTERED with Ariba but have never participated in a UW Sourcing Event: 1. Follow step 2 in “Suppliers new to Ariba” and add your Ariba Network Identification Number (ANID). Also state that you have never participated in a UW Sourcing event. Be sure to include the RFI # and your Ariba Network ID number (ANID) in your email – you will then receive an invitation to join the RFI via email.

Suppliers Who Have Previously Participated in a UW Sourcing Event: 1. Follow step 2 in “Suppliers new to Ariba” and state that you have previously participated in an UW event and would like to respond to this RFI. Be sure to include the RFI # and your Ariba Network ID number (ANID) in your email – you will then receive an invitation to join the RFI via email.

Once you have sent the email: 1. You will receive an email invitation which will allow you to join the RFI 2. Follow the link in the email to access the RFI details 3. Review and accept the prerequisites, which then allows you to view the RFI content

Please see the attached “Getting Started Supplier Guide” for more information: