WS4988248567 Network Support Services (NSS) for Regional Reliability Improvement from Independently Owned/Operated Distribution Facilities – Expression of Interest (EOI)
WS4988248567 Network Support Services (NSS) for Regional Reliability Improvement from Independently Owned/Operated Distribution Facilities – Expression of Interest (EOI)
The Organisation
Western Power is a Western Australian State Government owned corporation which is responsible for building, maintaining, and operating an electricity network which connects over 2.3 million customers to traditional and renewable energy sources. This electricity network is located in the state’s south-west, extending up to Kalbarri, east to Kalgoorlie and south to Albany.
Problem Statement
Within this electricity network, many regional towns are supplied by long rural Distribution feeders which are susceptible to prolonged electricity supply disruptions – this is largely attributed to the extensive exposure of the Distribution assets to inclement environmental conditions. Therefore, customers in a number of these regional towns have been experiencing less than acceptable levels of electricity supply reliability.
For some regional towns (such as Ravensthorpe and Bremer Bay), Western Power has-had contracts with suppliers for backup sources of electricity supply from independent generating facilities. These facilities are connected to Western Power’s Distribution feeders and controlled remotely to operate a microgrid – this is done in response to upstream faults on the Distribution supply from the grid.
Western Power is considering a similar approach to improve electricity supply reliability for other regional towns, but through a combination of contemporary solutions, new technology, innovation and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) solutions.
About the opportunity
Western Power is seeking to work with interested parties who can offer solutions to improve the reliability of electricity supply to regional towns, through the operation/control of diesel and/or other energy devices within the microgrids during electricity network outage events.
Opportunities include, but are not limited to:
1. Independently designed, installed, owned, maintained and operated sites with generating facilities.
2. The facilities must be capable of sustaining the demand of an islanded Western Power network (i.e. microgrid). This island would typically be created via the opening of an automated device on the Western Power Distribution network. It should be noted that a minimum fault level must be maintained to ensure that Distribution protection devices can operate effectively in clearing faults within the island.
3. Embedded telemetry for monitoring and managing the facilities, with suitable control and protection systems for efficient, stable and reliable microgrid operations.
4. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with autonomous control systems for aiding frequency control and voltage regulation of the microgrids, while maintaining stable generator operation during times of low demand (in conjunction with rooftop solar output) as well as high demand.
5. Integration of DER to ensure stability during low load scenarios (i.e. high rooftop solar output).
Proposed Locations
The independently operated facilities used to provide the regional reliability improvement services are to be connected to Western Power’s 33kV or 22kV Distribution network. Each facility must be suitably located near the relevant regional town, which is typically between 120km and 550km from Perth.
The Scope
Western Power is seeking registrations of interest from suitably qualified and experienced organisations, for the provision of a Network Support Services from independently owned/operated facilities for regional reliability improvement. The services must be reliable and capable of:
• Forming/sustaining an islanded microgrid within Western Power’s frequency and voltage limits.
• Microgrid formation within minutes (ideally less than 10 minutes) of a request/signal from Western Power.
• Sustaining a peak load of up to 2MW.
• Sustaining the microgrid for no less than 12 hours.
• Operate within the environmental conditions of the location of the microgrid (e.g. ambient temperature of 45 o C).
• Compliance with environmental limits such as noise.
• Future expansion to facilitate increased output in the event of energy demand growth.
Registration Requirements
Suppliers are required to respond to the following for its Expression of Interest submission:
• Demonstrate track record and capability in delivering services in relation to the high-level Scope requirements stated above.
• References from customers for whom your organisation has completed similar services.
• Safety, Health & Environment information to be requested as part of this exercise.
To be considered, please :
1. Download the questionnaire file below, complete and attached in the registration.
Questionnaire: WS4988248567 EOI NSS Regional Reliability Services from Independently Owned Dx facilities - questionnaire form
2. REGISTER with the online form below no later than 5PM AWST, Monday 17th March 2025.
*** IMPORTANT ***
Please ensure the following details are included in your registration:
• Please specify the advertised tender event number you are responding to:
WS4988248567 Network Support Services for Regional Reliability Improvement from Independently Owned Distribution Facilities
• Commodity Code Number and Title: 83101806 – Rural electrical power distribution
Please note that registering for the opportunity does not guarantee that you will be invited to participate in a market event or become a supplier of Western Power.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact:
Peter Ling – Senior Category & Contracts Specialist
peter.ling@westernpower.com.au