By Rod Walton
As reported by EnergyTech, SBT's co-brand in Endeavor Business Media, the Department of General Services (DGS) for the District of Columbia is currently seeking proposals from developers to build a microgrid for a new hospital on the St. Elizabeths East Campus in Washington D.C.
Three months ago, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it would fund a $20 million microgrid project to provide on-site energy support for operations at the facility. The D.C. DGS’ request for proposal seeks a partner to guide the microgrid development, design, construction, operations and ownership for the project. A pre-proposal conference was planned earlier this month in Washington D.C.
The district was awarded a $15 million grant through the federal government to install and deploy a microgrid. The system will serve several loads at St. Elizabeths, including electric service, heating, hot and chilled water.
The project leader would be awarded a 15-year power purchase agreement for the St. Elizabeths East Microgrid. The awardee will also finance and own it with an option to eventually transfer services for the project.
“While the District hopes it will be able to negotiate an agreement...for the microgrid developer to be the sole provider of energy to the hospital, we make no assertion or promise that such an agreement shall be reached,” reads the RFP guidelines. “The ultimate decision will depend on the terms of the District’s agreement with the microgrid developer and the ultimate implementation date of the microgrid project. The successful completion of hospital construction and start of hospital operations will therefore be critically dependent on the prompt completion of the microgrid.”
The hope from D.C. leaders is that the microgrid will be sole provider of power for the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center. Groundbreaking on the city-funded, $375 million project happened earlier this year and completion is expected in 2024, according to reports.
