SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Independent Small Turbine Testing
- Notice Date
- 3/12/2007
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541710
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Midwest Research Institute (DOE Contractor), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO, 80401, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- RAM-7-77539
- Response Due
- 4/13/2007
- Archive Date
- 4/28/2007
- Description
- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), will release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for commercially available small wind turbines to be tested at NREL?s National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). Background: Reducing barriers to the expansion of wind energy is an important goal for DOE?s Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program. One of the barriers for the distributed wind market is the lack of small turbines that are independently tested and certified. The small wind turbine community has long needed a means of distinguishing good, safe wind turbines from products that do not perform as advertised or are hazardous. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) have recently developed standards for testing and evaluation of small wind turbines. NREL has developed a testing capability that is accredited by the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and is widely recognized as a competent testing organization. Objective: The objective of the solicitation for independent testing is to provide high-quality, detailed, and independent test results for a number of small turbines and allow them the opportunity to earn a certification granted by an independent certification body, which is the process of being formed by the IREC Small Wind Certification Corporation, a non-profit organization with support from DOE, AWEA, States Energy Offices, and turbine manufacturers. The solicitation will target commercially available turbines that have a high probability of success in the US market over the next several years. NREL will select representative models for testing, arrange for installation of the turbine systems at the NWTC, evaluate the turbines through testing and other observations over a period of up to one year, and report its findings on the NREL web site. Turbine System Requirements: There are several requirements that the turbine must meet for consideration in the solicitation. These requirements include: 1. Currently available in the US marketplace. Converts wind energy to electricity. Generate electricity for use on a 60 Hz AC grid or for a 12, 24, 36, or 48v battery system. Mechanical turbines and direct connect (variable voltage) generator/motor configurations will not be accepted; 2. Swept area of less than 200 m2; 3. New, not refurbished; 4. Meet NREL and National Electric Code (NEC) electrical safety requirements such as circuit protection and anti-islanding provisions; 5. Due to safety and access restrictions, hub height for horizontal-axis turbines not be over 100 ft and overall turbine height not over 130 feet; and, 6. Available for shipment and installation at the NWTC upon execution of the subcontract. Testing Protocol: NREL will evaluate turbines based on testing protocols which are defined in detail by IEC standards and, where applicable, by the latest version of the draft AWEA standard for small wind turbines. These tests will include duration, power performance, acoustic noise emissions, safety and function, and power quality. If there is a major turbine failure, testing will be terminated and NREL will report results obtained, including the failure. Solicitation Plan: NREL is planning to release an RFP in Spring 2007. In this first phase, NREL is envisioning up to 8 awards. The subcontract value will be dependent on the size of the turbine and the installation requirements. NREL intends to use a firm fixed price type of subcontract. The Subcontractor will deliver a complete turbine system to the NWTC, provide documentation, and assist with installation and maintenance. NREL will provide the test site and electric load, perform testing, data analysis, and reporting. Test Reporting: Test reports will be made available to the public through posting on the NREL web site as soon as possible after test completion or turbine failure. Participants in this project must recognize that NREL plans to report all significant results obtained, including negative results that may have a detrimental effect on future sales. If turbine behavior is observed that is of concern to experienced wind turbine experts at NREL, NREL will make every effort to explain fully and without bias the observed behavior in its reports. Audio and video recordings may be used for this purpose. Selection Criteria: Selection Criteria include: 1) likelihood that the turbine will comprise a significant share of the U. S. small wind turbine market; 2) total system installed cost per unit of wind intercept area; 3) offeror?s capabilities to manufacture and supply turbines for the U.S. market, and to provide the associated installation and maintenance support; and, 4) programmatic factors, such as size diversity, turbine configuration diversity, technology innovation, geographic diversity, and price participation (in-kind contribution). Note: The RFP will require the offeror to provide information on: projected Annual Energy Production; selling cost; turbine features; maintenance requirements; warranty; UL rating of the inverter and other components; sales history, especially in the last year; number of turbines currently installed; tower options; number of dealers/installers; manufacturing volume capacity; and, the capabilities to support the product for the life of the turbine system. These data will be used to evaluate the above selection criteria, as well as any public domain information, such as published technical information, sales brochures, and company website information. Expressions of Interest: The purpose of this pre-solicitation notice is to obtain an indication of the level of interest by industry participants in the project described in the Solicitation Plan and to develop a Bidders List. Failure to respond to this notice will not disqualify anyone from participation in the solicitation, but those that do respond to this notice are assured of receiving the RFP and notification of related activities, if they indicate that desire. Expressions of interest should not include detailed proposals, but should include the following information: the names, addresses, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and email addresses of the primary contact person; a brief description of the turbine (a brochure may be provided); comments on the proposed Independent Testing project; and, a statement indicating whether or not the respondent wishes to receive a copy of the RFP. Responses to this notice should not exceed -one page; a product brochure may be attached to the response. Responses should be received at NREL by 04/13/07. This is not a request for proposals. Please send responses (by mail, facsimile or email)
- Place of Performance
- Address: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, Colorado
- Zip Code: 80401-3393
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 80401-3393
- Record
- SN01248825-W 20070314/070312220125 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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