1. GFO-17-305 Pre-Application Workshop
Distribution System Modeling Tools to Evaluate Distributed Energy Resources
October 10, 2017 Jamie Patterson

2. Agenda Time Item 10:00 am Welcome and Introduction 10:10 am
Solicitation Background
EPIC Research Program
Purpose, Groups, and Funding
10:45 am
Application Requirements
Project Focus
Attachments
Submission Process
11:30 am
Q&As
12:00 pm
Adjourn

3. Housekeeping In case of emergency Facilities Sign-in sheet
Updates on solicitation documents including this presentation will be posted at the Grant Funding Opportunity’s webpage:

4. Commitment to Diversity
The Energy Commission adopted a resolution strengthening its commitment to diversity in our funding programs. We continue to encourage disadvantaged and underrepresented businesses and communities to engage in and benefit from our many programs.
To meet this commitment, Energy Commission staff conducts outreach efforts and activities to:
Engage with disadvantaged and underrepresented groups throughout the state.
Notify potential new applicants about the Energy Commission’s funding opportunities.
Assist applicants in understanding how to apply for funding from the Energy Commission’s programs.
Survey participants to measure progress in diversity outreach efforts.

5. We Want to Hear From You! 1 Minute Survey
The information supplied will be used for public reporting purposes to display anonymous overall attendance of diverse groups.
iPads are being passed around the room
WebEx participants took the survey when joining
Thanks!

6. Connect with Us

7. Find Partners via LinkedIn
The Energy Commission has created a user-driven LinkedIn group page to help potential applicants connect, collaborate, and partner on proposals for research funding opportunities. Participants may subscribe to the “California Energy Commission Networking Hub” by clicking on this link or searching LinkedIn.
By subscribing you can connect with new colleagues and peers.

8. LinkedIn Networking Webinar
This virtual networking webinar is an opportunity for interested applicants to introduce themselves, explain their interests in this solicitation, and what they seeking from potential project partners. Individuals are encouraged to participate to leverage their connections. The one-hour webinar will be held on October 20 at 2:00 PM PST Go to energy.webex.com and enter Meeting Number: No password is required Subscribe to the subgroup: NOTE:
Energy Commission staff will facilitate introductions.
Staff involved in development of the solicitation and scoring of proposals will not be present.
Staff will not provide answers to questions on GFO
All questions must be submitted to the Contract Agreement Officer.

9. EPIC Program Background
The Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) is funded by an electricity ratepayer surcharge established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 2011
The purpose of EPIC is to:
Benefit the ratepayers of the three largest electric investor-owned utilities, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., San Diego Gas and Electric Co., and Southern California Edison
Fund clean energy technology projects that promote greater electricity reliability, lower costs, and increased safety.
Encourage technological advancement and breakthroughs to achieve state’s statutory energy goals.
Annual program funds total $162 million per year with 80 percent administered by the California Energy Commission.

10. Policy Drivers
Assembly Bill (AB) 32 (The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006)
Renewables Portfolio Standard (Senate Bill (SB) X1-2
SB 350 (Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015 (Statutes of 2015)
Governor’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan (2011)
Executive Order B (Greenhouse gas emission reduction target)
Integrated Energy Policy Report (Biennial)

11. Solicitation Purpose
The purpose of this solicitation is to fund research to improve dynamic distribution modeling tools that can determine operational impacts and integration strategies for high amounts of renewables, DER, including plug-in electric vehicles, and microgrids using advanced smart grid equipment:
Group 1: Microgrid Valuation and Optimization Tool;
Group 2: Open-Source Modeling Framework and Translation Tool
Group 3: Enabling High Performance Computing in Open-Source Grid Modeling
Group 4: Open-Source Desktop Environment/User Interface for Gridlab-D

12. Key Dates Activity Date Solicitation Release September 28, 2017
Pre-Application Workshop
October 10, 2017 at 10:00 am
Deadline for Written Questions
October 10, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Anticipated Distribution of Questions and Answers
Week of October 30, 2017
Deadline to Submit Applications
December 1, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Anticipated Notice of Proposed Award Posting
January 26, 2018
Anticipated Energy Commission Business Meeting
April 11, 2018
Anticipated Agreement Start Date
June 2018
Anticipated Agreement End Date
December 31, 2022

13. Available Funding Project Group Available Funding Minimum Award Amount
Maximum Award Amount
Group 1: Microgrid Valuation and Optimization Tool
$2,000,000
$400,000
Group 2: Open-Source Modeling Framework and Translation Tool
$1,000,000
Group 3: Enabling High Performance Computing in Open-Source Grid Modeling
$3,073,750
Group 4: Open-Source User Interface for Gridlab-D
$3,000,000

14. Match Funding Match funding is optional.
Applications that include match funding will receive additional points during the scoring phase.
Match funding contributors must submit match funding commitment letters that meet the requirements of Attachment 11. Failure to do so will disqualify the match funding commitment from consideration
Refer to Section I.F.2 in the Solicitation Manual for more details on match funding.

15. Match Funding Example
Applicants may receive up to 10 additional preference points based on the criteria below:
Up to 10 points will be awarded based on the level of commitment, type of match funding, dollar value justification, and funding replacement strategy described in the match funding commitment letter.
Refer to Section IV.F in the Solicitation Manual for more details on the match funding scoring criteria.

16. Group 1: Microgrid Valuation and Optimization Tool
Background:
This project group is focused on the development of a microgrid valuation and optimization modeling tool to help streamline the deployment of distributed microgrids that include high penetrations of DERs and maximize benefits to individual customers and the larger grid. Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) may include distribution-connected distributed generation resources, energy efficiency, energy storage, electric vehicles, and demand response technologies.
This tool will have many different users. In addition to customers building their own microgrids, agencies such as the CPUC and CEC will have a tool to evaluate costs and benefits of wider microgrid deployment,
Tools created in this group should leverage the CPUC Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) Distribution Resources Plans, CalEnviroscreen, and other existing modeling tools to provide additional enhancing features focused on increasing the value of microgrids to customers and the grid.

17. Group 1
Requirements:
Develop, test, and validate a publicly available modeling tool that determines the optimal size of the microgrid, optimal combination of DER in the microgrid for a given location and the maximum benefit to individual customers.
The tool must also assess the optimal combination of DER for use within each microgrid..
The applicant should describe their knowledge of and ability to follow and respond to the goals of CPUC proceedings, the Distribution Resource Planning process (DRP) and the DER action plans, and how the proposed tool will support those goals..

18. Group 2: Open-Source Modeling Framework and Translation Tool
Background:
Various tools are used in distribution planning. These tools come from a diverse number of suppliers and do not work within a single user framework to interact and share information.
A single desktop environment/user interface and a common information model to enable data sharing information between applications needs to be developed to integrate the various tools into a distribution-planning suite.
Utility planners and grid researchers have requested a translation tool and framework as they have a real need to quickly move data from one application to another as part of their research and planning activities.

19. Group 2
Requirements:
Determine the various models (such as CYME, GridLab-D, Open DSS, Opal-RT and RTDS) that are used for grid modeling and planning by the three investor owned utilities in California.
Map the modeling tools information fields into a common information model such as International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard CIM data fields to provide information exchange across different applications.
Develop a translation tool to transfer the data into and out of the data set for use by the various modeling tools. Include the translation tool in a desktop environment to integrate the various modeling tools.

20. Group 3: Enabling High Performance Computing in Open-Source Grid Modeling
Background:
Enabling high performance computing in grid modeling is needed to help customers design DERs into systems that minimize grid impacts. Speeding up the analysis and computational efficiency will help inform agencies, utilities, and ratepayers participating in distribution planning processes of methods to better integrate DERs onto the distribution system.
Measurably improving the speed and accuracy of an open-source modeling tool capable of dynamic time series modeling is critically needed. Doing so will enable quick and accurate distribution studies that include smart inverters, single phase line sections, and transmission impacts.

21. Group 3
Requirements:
Speed up the overall simulation process of open-source modeling by improving and updating the core software code to enable low cost high-performance computing (HPC).
The goal is to improve software performance, productivity, and power, and have it perform on a hardware platform with a price well under $20,000.
The distribution modeling software tool proposed for this group must use a modern programming language that is taught in computer science curriculums at major universities within California.
Solutions that use desktop HPC multicore processors (e.g., 8-16 core workstations), cloud computing (for massively parallel runs), intelligent multi-threading, or granular multithreading, parallel processing coding to take advantage of the emerging power of high-performance computing including accelerated computing using graphics processing units (GPUs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), among other additional low cost solutions are allowed.

22. Group 4: Open-Source Desktop Environment/User Interface for Gridlab-D
Background:
A weakness of Gridlab-D that hinders its adoption by more users is the use of only a command line interface.
New users find operating a command line interface more difficult.
This results in increased training costs for new personnel and requires additional knowledge, not only of grid modeling but of scripting languages such as python for entering data into the model.

23. Group 4
Requirements:
Develop an open-source environment/user interface to augment/replace the command line interface for Gridlab-D.
The applicant should describe their knowledge and experience with Gridlab-D and their ability to run an open source community software development project.
Any interface is eligible (web based, browser based, dedicated or other) but the advantages of the chosen approach must be explained.

24. Eligible Applicants
This is an open solicitation for public and private and individuals with the exception of investor owned utilities and local publicly owned electric utilities. Investor owned utilities are prohibited from directly applying as an applicant or a subcontractor that receives EPIC funds because this solicitation was developed with input from the IOUs so that projects developed will provide value to their planning.
Applicants must accept the EPIC terms and conditions.
Standard, UC, and DOE T&Cs available online:
Applicants are required to register with the California Secretary of State and be in good standing to enter into an agreement with the Energy Commission:

25. Application Requirements
Each Applicant must complete and including the following:
1. Application Form (requires wet signature) (.pdf)
7. Budget (.xlsx)
2. Executive Summary (.docx)
8. CEQA Compliance Form (.docx)
3. Fact Sheet (.docx)
9. References and Work Product Form (.docx, .pdf)
4. Project Narrative (.docx)
10. Contact List (.docx)
5. Project Team (.docx, .pdf)
11. Commitment and Support Letters (requires wet signatures) (.pdf)
6. Scope of Work (.docx)
6a. Project Schedule (.xlsx)
Be consistent in your application!

26. Project Narrative (Attachment 4)
This is your opportunity to tie everything together and explain the entirety of the project. The narrative should explain:
Why is your project important?
What will you be doing in your project?
How are you going to complete the project?
How will this benefit ratepayers?
Address the requirements for your group as described in Section II.B.1.

27. Scope of Work (Attachment 6)
Tell us exactly what you are proposing to do in your project.
Identify what you will deliver to the Energy Commission.
Be sure to include in the technical tasks:
At least one product deliverable per task.
Address requirements in Section II.B.1.
Be sure to include in the Project Schedule (Attachment 6a):
Product deliverables that correspond with the Scope of Work.
Realistic dates on when product deliverables can be completed.

28. Budget (Attachment 7)
Identify how you will be spending Energy Commission funds and match funds to complete the project
Subcontractors receiving $100,000 or more Energy Commission funds must complete a separate budget form.
Submit in the format provided. Do not delete sheets or rows, use the hide/unhide functions.
Ensure that all rates provided are maximum rates for the entire project term.

29. Commitment and Support Letter Forms (Attachment 11)
Follow guidelines provided for letters of support or commitment.
Commitment letters are required for entities or individuals that are committing match funding, testing/demonstration sites.
Support letters describe a project stakeholder’s interest or involvement in the project.
All applicants must submit at least one support letter.
Any project partners that will make other contributions to the project must submit a commitment letter.
Match funding must be supported by a match fund commitment letter.
Limit to two pages per letter, excluding the cover page.

30. How will my Application be Evaluated? Application Screening
Admin Screening Process
Energy Commission staff screens applications per criteria in Section IV.E.
Criteria are evaluated on a pass/fail basis.
Applicants must pass all screening criteria or the application will be disqualified.
Some Reasons for Disqualification
Application is not submitted by the specified due date and time.
Applicant did not sign the Application Form (Attachment 1).
Application does not include one or more support letters.
Application contains confidential material.

31. How will my Application be Evaluated? Application Scoring
Evaluation Committee applies the scoring scale to the scoring criteria.
Applications must obtain a minimum passing score of 49 points for Criteria 1-4 in order to continue evaluation.
Applications must obtain a minimum passing score of 70 points for Criteria 1-7 in order to be considered for funding.
Please review Section IV of the solicitation manual and ensure your application provides a clear and complete response to each scoring criteria.
Scoring Criteria
Maximum Points
1. Technical Merit and Need 20
2. Technical Approach
3. Impacts and Benefits for CA IOU Ratepayers
4. Team Qualifications, Capabilities and Resources 10
5. Budget and Cost-Effectiveness
6. EPIC R&D Funds Spent in CA 15
7. Ratio of Direct Labor and Fringe Benefit Costs to Loaded Labor Costs 5
Total
100
Minimum Points to Pass 70

32. How will my Application be Evaluated? Additional Bonus Points
Passing applications (score of 70 or more from Criteria 1-7) will be considered for bonus points. Criteria for bonus points include:
Match Funding
Scoring Criteria
Maximum Points
8. Match Funding 10
Total Bonus Points

33. GFO Submission Requirements (Electronic)
Preferred method of Delivery is the Energy Commission Grant Solicitation System, available at:
Electronic files must be in Microsoft Office Word (.doc, .docx) and Excel (.xls, .xlsx) formats, unless originally provided in solicitation in another format.
Attachments requiring signatures (Application Form and Support/Commitment Letters) may be scanned and submitted in PDF format.
First-time users must register as a new user to access system.
“How to Apply” video:

34. GFO Submission Requirements (Hard Copy)
Submit Applications with all attachments in the order specified by the due date and time listed in Section III of the manual.
Application documents should meet formatting requirements, page limits, and number of copies specified on page 22.
One hard copy and one electronic copy (CD-ROM or USB stick) containing electronic files of the application.

35. Next Steps After Grant Award
Agreement Development: Proposal documents will be processed into a legal agreement.
Failure to Execute: The Energy Commission reserves the right to cancel the pending award if an agreement cannot be successfully executed with an applicant. (See Section IV.B)
Project Start: Recipients may begin work on the project only after the agreement is fully executed (approved at an Energy Commission business meeting and signed by the Recipient and the Energy Commission).

36. Questions and Answers
Please introduce yourself by stating your name and affiliation.
Keep questions under 3 minutes to allow time for others.
Note that our official response will be given in writing and posted on the GFO webpage in two weeks.

37. Additional Questions
Please send all questions ( preferred) related to GFO to: Michael Poe Commission Agreement Officer 1516 Ninth Street, MS-18 Sacramento, CA (916) (916) (fax) Deadline to submit questions: Tuesday, October 10, :00 PM