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Proposal No. 2665.01 Water Enterprise Alternative Energy Feasibility Study 1-15 <br />audit process improvement effort. For that initiative, NAM authored The Energy Network's wastewater <br />treatment plant audit process flow charts and provided review and comments on the wastewater treatment <br />plant audit guidelines. <br />Newcomb Anderson McCormick's work is scaled to the project size and according to the client's needs.NAM's <br />clients benefit from a streamlined approach to energy auditing and feasibility studies, which involves performing <br />as much up -front research and preparation as possible, such as analyzing utility usage data and scrutinizing site <br />plans. Typically, this phase of a project is begun with a kick-off meeting with City staff, after Which NAM <br />performs site walks of each location to determine opportunities and identify design constraints for each project. <br />NAM analyzes technical issues such as PV technologies for consideration, array sizing, fixed vs. tracking system <br />considerations, Data Acquisition System requirements, and the location of inverters, transformers, switchgear. <br />We evaluate the physical conditions that will affect system design including site and building physical <br />characteristics, solar orientation, shading issues, and aesthetics. <br />Newcomb Anderson McCormick then reviews energy usage data for each site to understand facility electric load <br />and confirm potential PV system sizing to comply with NEM regulations at each site. NEM is a special billing <br />arrangement that provides credit to customers with solar PV systems for the full retail value of the electricity <br />their system generates, generally not to exceed total annual net energy usage. If the City does not possess the <br />details necessary from utility electric bills to perform this review, NAM requests the required time -of -use <br />information from the utility to perform an 8,760 -hour load analysis. NAM works with City staff to identify load <br />growth impacts from the facilities master plan and bond -financed new construction projects underway at the <br />City so that a complete picture of long-term electricity loads are considered prior to sizing PV systems. <br />Where electric loads are relatively small and are unlikely to support significant new generation that complies <br />with NEM limitations, NAM explores opportunities to utilize utilities' Renewable Energy Self -Generation Bill <br />Credit Transfer (RES -BCT) tariff.. RES -BCT works similar to net metering, but any excess generation at one <br />location can be transferred to another account under the same ownership for local government and school <br />district customers. This approach may result in significantly more total PV generation for the City than the <br />standard NEM approach with corresponding economic benefits. There are many conditions associated with <br />utilizing the REC-BCT tariff that need to be evaluated further by NAM to ensure its applicability. One recent <br />example of this analysis which might apply directly to the City Is the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD). <br />This consists of approximately 50 parks distributed over two counties, some with multiple electric meters. NAM <br />evaluated the potential to Install PV at every park after the implementation efficiency measures. NAM also <br />evaluated the potential fora RES -BCT project at a single park site, which would supply the entire District's PV <br />needs with one system of 1.5 MW. The economic benefit was not as strong when using RES -BCT; however, it <br />was determined that the increased economy of scale achieved by installing one large system Instead of 50 small, <br />distributed PV systems would significantly offset the lower savings associated with the RES -BCT option. A similar <br />result may result from the EMWD project analysis. The status of RES -BCT and the solar friendly SCE rate, Option <br />R, should be monitored closely as they may be Integral in the justification of this project. Where appropriate, <br />NAM researches these conditions and holds discussions with the utility, and documents results in the Feasibility <br />Study if this tariff is suitable for the project. NAM is also familiar with Aggregate Net Energy Metering and has <br />assisted several clients in utilization of this tariff to offset multiple meters on contiguous properties. <br />Newcomb Anderson McCormick also analyzes utility interconnection issues for the new PV systems at each site <br />from both a regulatory and technical standpoint, including utility Rule -21 interconnection regulations. NAM <br />reviews copies of architectural plan view and topographic drawings of each site, as well as electric single -line <br />Copyright O Newcomb Anderson McCormick 2017 <br />25A-29 <br />CITY OF SANTA ANA <br />