IESO Issues Request for Proposal to Procure Energy Storage Services

TORONTO, March 12, 2014 /CNW/ - Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has issued a request for proposals to procure up to 35 megawatts (MW) of energy storage to explore how new technologies can provide needed flexibility in grid operations.

This competitive process is designed to select and test a diverse portfolio of storage technologies. Once the projects are in place the IESO will assess their capabilities in helping to balance supply and demand. This process will allow the IESO to learn more about integrating new technologies into mainstream grid and market operations.

Energy storage technologies are systems that withdraw electricity from the grid and store it so that it can be injected back at a later time.

The IESO storage procurement process supports the government's Long-Term Energy Plan that calls for 50 MW of energy storage in Ontario. Subsequent to the IESO's procurement, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) will issue a request for proposals for the remaining megawatts.

"Procuring energy storage services is another demonstration of how Ontario is at the forefront of emerging energy developments," said Bruce Campbell, President and CEO of the IESO. "These procurements are structured to maximize learning about energy storage services and how they can best serve Ontario's needs."

This project will build upon the IESO's experience in procuring alternative technologies for regulation service that recently led to contracts with aggregated consumer load, battery and flywheel vendors.

It is expected that contracts will be executed by the end of June 2014.

For those wishing to respond, the RFP is available through MERX e-tendering website at: https://www.merx.com/English/SUPPLIER_Menu.asp?WCE=Show&TAB=3&PORTAL=MERX&State=7&id=PR291095&src=osr&FED_ONLY=0&ACTION=&rowcount=&lastpage=&MoreResults=&PUBSORT=2&CLOSESORT=0&IS_SME=N&hcode=lIASmWwzALJWV4l%2fEzjtfg%3d%3d

See the backgrounder for more information.

The IESO is responsible for managing Ontario's bulk electricity system and operating the wholesale electricity market. For more information, visit www.ieso.ca.

SOURCE: Independent Electricity System Operator

Alexandra Campbell
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