NEWCOMB ANDERSON MCCORMICK, INC - 2018

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Proposal No, 2659.01 Water Enterprise Alternative Energy Feasibility Study 1-15 audit process improvement effort. For that initiative, NAM authored The Energy Network's wastewater treatment plant audit process flow charts and provided review and comments on the wastewater treatment plant audit guidelines. Newcomb Anderson McCormick's work is scaled to the project size and according to the client's needs. NAM's clients benefit from a streamlined approach to energy auditing and feasibility studies, which involves performing as much up -front research and preparation as possible, such as analyzing utility usage data and scrutinizing site plans, Typically, this phase of a project is begun with a kick-off meeting with City staff, after which NAM performs site walks of each location to determine opportunities and identify design constraints for each project. NAM analyzes technical issues such as PV technologies for consideration, array sizing, fixed vs. tracking system considerations, Data Acquisition System requirements, and the location of inverters, transformers, switchgear. We evaluate the physical conditions that will affect system design including site and building physical characteristics, solar orientation, shading issues, and aesthetics. Newcomb Anderson McCormick then reviews energy usage data for each site to understand facility electric load and confirm potential PV system sizing to comply with NEM regulations at each site. NEM is a special billing arrangement that provides credit to customers with solar PV systems for the full retail value of the electricity their system generates, generally not to exceed total annual net energy usage. If the City does not possess the details necessary from utility electric bills to perform this review, NAM requests the required time -of -use information from the utility to perform an 8,760 -hour load analysis. NAM works with City staff to identify load growth impacts from the facilities master plan and bond -financed new construction projects underway at the City so that a complete picture of long-term electricity loads are considered prior to sizing PV systems. Where electric loads are relatively small and are unlikely to support significant new generation that complies with NEM limitations, NAM explores opportunities to utilize utilities' Renewable Energy Self -Generation - Bill Credit Transfer (RES -BCT) tariff. RES -BCT works similar to net metering, but any excess generation at one location can be transferred to another account under the same ownership for local government and school district customers. This approach may result in significantly more total PV generation for the City than the standard NEM approach with corresponding economic benefits. There are many conditions associated with utilizing the REC-BCT tariff that need to be evaluated further by NAM to ensure its applicability. One recent example of this analysis which might apply directly to the City is the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD), This consists of approximately 50 parks distributed over two counties, some with multiple electric meters. NAM evaluated the potential to install PV at every park after the implementation efficiency measures. NAM also evaluated the potential for a RES -BCT project at a single park site, which would supply the entire District's PV needs with one system of 1.5 MW. The economic benefit was not as strong when using RES -BCT; however, it was determined that the increased economy of scale achieved by installing one large system instead of 50 small, distributed PV systems would significantly offset the lower savings associated with the RES -BCT option. A similar result may result from the EMWD project analysis. The status of RES -BCT and the solar friendly SCE rate, Option R, should be monitored closely as they may be integral in the justification of this project. Where appropriate, NAM researches these conditions and holds discussions with the utility, and documents results In the Feasibility Study if this tariff is suitable for the project. NAM is also familiar with Aggregate Net Energy Metering and has assisted several clients in utilization of this tariff to offset multiple meters on contiguous properties. Newcomb Anderson McCormick also analyzes utility interconnection issues for the new PV systems at each site from both a regulatory and technical standpoint, including utility Rule -21 interconnection regulations. NAM reviews copies of architectural plan view and topographic drawings of each site, as well as electric single -line Copyright @ Newcomb Anderson McCormick 2017 CITY OF SANTA ANA