The FEMP technical assistance team used NREL's REopt® web tool, a techno-economic modeling and optimization tool for distributed energy resources, to evaluate the feasibility of solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery storage at a federal facility. The analysis focused on determining the most cost-effective system sizing, considering the resilience value of these assets to boost grid outage survivability and align with clean energy goals.
The analysis identified cost-effective solar PV solutions capable of delivering substantial seven-figure cost savings over a 25-year analysis period. Simultaneously, these solutions significantly increased outage survivability while fulfilling over 25% of the site's annual energy requirements with renewable energy generation. Additional PV could enhance resilience and renewable energy generation, and the inclusion of battery storage could further bolster resilience. The analysis found that when it comes time to replace the existing backup generators, PV and battery storage may offer a more cost-competitive alternative for resilience compared to investing in new backup generators.
The site is currently evaluating a 50% preliminary assessment of various options, including the integration of solar PV identified through this technical assistance, as part of a potential energy savings performance contract (ESPC).
Lesson Learned
FEMP Technical Assistance and the REopt tool can be used to assess the techno-economic feasibility of technologies that can then be wrapped into ESPCs and other financing vehicles for federal energy projects.