This Request for Proposals ("RFP") is an invitation by the Independent Electricity System Operator (the “IESO”) to prospective Proponents to submit proposals for the provision of consulting services to support the IESO in undertaking the York Region Non-Wires Alternative (NWA) and Interoperability Demonstration Project, as further described in Section 2 of Appendix C – IESO Information & Requirements (the "Deliverables"), for a period of one (1) year. The IESO may, in its discretion, extend the Term for one (1) additional six (6) month period.
This RFP seeks to retain a proponent to provide qualified resources to engage with the IESO and key partners and/or stakeholders in developing NWA and Interoperability frameworks in support of a Demonstration Project that the IESO is proposing to undertake. Through the research and analysis and high level design phases for the demonstration project, the IESO is seeking to investigate newly proposed, advanced, whole-system (i.e. across distribution and wholesale systems) operation and market models for a smart grid, high-DER future, with a focus on the division of existing grid functions and definition of new function among energy sector organisations (new and/or existing) and interoperability at the Transmission/Distribution interface.
Technological innovations in DER technologies and information and communication technology (ICT) are improving the value proposition of DERs for both customers and the electricity system. In a potential high-DER future, with much greater numbers of DERs than the number of resources on the electricity system today, more active management of the DERs and the distribution system will be required, and a more complex Transmission-Distribution interface will exist.
There is a range of possible structures for whole-system operation and market models, each with its own set of specifications and implications. Specifications include the division of grid functions among existing/new entities and corresponding data sharing and coordination requirements at the Transmission/Distribution interface. Implications include technical feasibility, cost-benefit, and policy considerations with respect to such structures and market models, as they relate to DERs.
