RFP - Optimum utilisation of Indian Railways (IR) Rooftop Solar (RTS) assets by integrating this with Auxiliary transformer of traction supply

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About the Organization

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses around the world.

RTI International has been working in Asia for more than 35 years, providing technical assistance, institutional strengthening, and program support on behalf of governments, foundations, and privatesector clients. Together with our local partners, we deliver science- based solutions and advisory and technical services to help countries across South and Southeast Asia achieve national, regional, and local goals—in health, education, economic growth, governance and public policy, and environmental management. RTI is implementing 19 projects in the Asia region with its offices located in India, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Laos, Nepal, and Papua New Guinea.

About the Proposal

RTI International is the implementing contractor for a five (5) year USAID project called the USAID South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP). SAREP will serve as a linchpin of the Asia Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy (EDGE) initiative. To achieve USAID’s goal of improving access to affordable, secure, reliable and sustainable energy, SAREP will address two distinct, yet mutually dependent objectives: a. Enabling six countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka—to build systems and processes in line with their respective economic and energy security priorities, and b. Facilitating collaboration among these six countries in a regional energy market that will accelerate economic development, self- reliance, livelihoods, health, and productivity throughout the region. SAREP’s objectives are as follows:

Workstream 1: Regional Energy Hub

Workstream 2: Technical Services

• Objective 1: Enhanced regional energy markets and integration
• Objective 2: Increased development of advanced energy
• Objective 3: High-performing modern utilities.
• Objective 4: Transparent, best-value procurement and Private Sector Investment

Objectives

 Indian Railways (IR) has deployed grid connected rooftop solar PV at large numbers of its buildings including stations, and maintenance workshops. During grid outages in the day time no solar power is generated from the grid connected rooftop solar plant thereby resulting in loss of potential generation from the plant during those periods. This problem is particularly acute in remote areas where large numbers of IR’s rooftop solar PV systems are deployed and the grid outages are more in both frequency and duration.

This assignment aims at developing and demonstrating at a site a solution (using predominantly commercially available components) that will result in injection of any excess solar power generated by the grid connected rooftop solar PV plant under normal (less load and more solar generation) and grid outage conditions in Indian Railways’ 25 kV single-phase AC traction power system.

The broader outcomes envisaged through this assignment include:

• Optimum utilisation of energy generated from IR Rooftop Solar (RTS) plant by feeding power generated by RTS plant to IR’s 25-KV AC traction system in two scenarios:
• Feeding excess power during grid availability when demand is less than the solar generation
• Feeding the entire solar generation during grid outage to the traction system
  • Explore the possibility of scaling the solution for large load centres where IR procures power from Discoms and Net metering is not granted.

Scope of Work

The shortlisted bidder will carry out Engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance (for 12 months post commissioning of the solution) of innovative solution enabling optimum utilisation of energy generated from the installed RTS plants. The identified site (exact location of the site will be shared at the time of issuing the purchase order) has a 10 kW grid connected solar PV plant deployed. There is a 10 kVA, 25 kV-220 V single phase autotransformer at site interconnecting the traction system and station load.

The scope includes implementation of the following activities to achieve the desired outcomes:

Phase 1:Project Design

• Carry out site visit of the identified location (Tapa Railway Station) under Ambala division, Northen Railways to understand the schematics and operations of currently installed grid connected rooftop solar plant.
• The schematic of the potential solution is presented in Annexure A of this document. However, based on the site parameters the bidder should design a solution including single line diagram to achieve the objective of the work as highlighted above. The design will be discussed and finalized in consultation with SAREP and Indian Railways.
• The bidder to also propose the detailed component wise bill of quantities (BOQ) along with the design which will then be approved jointly by SAREP and Indian Railways before deployment.
• The bidder may propose changes to the existing plant within reasonable deviation, if and as required to achieve the objective of this work. These changes will then be discussed and finalized jointly by SAREP and Indian Railways before deployment.
• The bidder should prepare and submit a detailed project report including the above aspects

Phase 2: Commissioning

• Based on the approved design and BOQ, the bidder to obtain the required components and install the pilot solution at the site. The design of the solar plant should include – Single Line Diagram, sizing and technical specifications of the proposed solution, cable routing plan, component placement plan and re-arrangement of module interconnection (if required)
• Testing and pre-commissioning of the pilot project should be carried out by the bidder post installation to ensure project outcomes are being achieved.
• The plant should be commissioned in the presence of experts from SAREP and IR, post inspection by them. The commissioning test should be able to demonstrate the following: o Feeding excess power from the solar plant to IR’s traction system during grid availability when demand is less than the solar generation o Feeding the entire solar generation during grid outage (Discom supply) to the traction system
• It is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure that the deployed system does not overload the autotransformer beyond its capacity.
• It is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure the Safety of existing solar plant, personnel deployed on site, officials of Indian Railways and associated equipment (electrical and any other) during deployment of the project.
• The bidder to provide the necessary fire safety kit at site.

Phase 3: Maintenance and performance monitoring post commissioning

• One year maintenance and performance monitoring of the plant post commissioning to be provided by the bidder. The maintenance should include both preventive (Regular maintenance of the plant including cleaning of modules and/or other system checks to maintain optimum performance of the plant) and reactive (to be carried out in case of any fault or under performance of the plant or any complaint/s from IR). Detailed scope of work along with timelines (including maintenance schedule) covered under the maintenance and performance monitoring to be shared by the bidder as part of proposal.
• The solution should have real time remote monitoring unit (RMU) with a feature to monitor the entire plant (including generation of existing RTS plant and the added solution). The RMU should be part of the BOQ. This feature should be made available to SAREP and IR as well for monitoring of system’s performance.

Deliverables

• Detailed project report including design along with SLD and BOQ for the proposed solution
• Installation and commissioning report
• 3.Monthly performance reports and one annual maintenance and performance report at the end of monitoring period

How to Apply

Date Proposal Due: September 17, 2024

Submit Proposal to: SAREP-Procurement@rti.org

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