An Example of "Change in Plans"
Example: At least eighteen critical parties were involved in the development of a recent Micro Grid project and a recollection of the development process revealed over eighty critical activities which represented a "change in plans" - Each change had to be negotiated, managed and resolved.
- Re-Consider Financial Structuring of Overall Project
- Prepare Spec for Private Public Partnership (TPO) entity
- Run Site Visit and answer questions from TPO bidders
- Receive Bids, Evaluate and Short List TPO bidders
- Interview Short List Candidates
- Final Evaluation and Select TPO
- Review DEEP Program Requirements with TPO
- Model Financial Implications for City and TPO
- Redesign - Change Prime Mover, Fuel Mix, Capacity
- Consider Planned Emergency Generator in overall Project
- Clarify design, performance and schedule requirements
- Re-Submit Project to CT DEEP for verification that grant still is valid
- Develop construction budget
- Solicit and develop various O&M budgets
- Develop fuel supply budget
- Continually Evaluate Economic Feasibility as numbers firm up
- Continuous evolution of design to facilitate economically feasible for all
- Deal with Permitting Issues (land use, parks, building, emissions, etc.)
- Develop enhanced revenue ideas
- Lobby for changes to VNM program
- Apply for VNM Allocation to lower per unit fixed costs
- Secure VNM Allocation from United Illuminating
- Research LDC options for fuel supply
- Research requirements for Renewable Energy Credits
- Evaluate Efficiency vs. REC requirements
- Locate non-city thermal customer to increase efficiency
- Determine O&M Responsibilities and Solicit Proposals
- Formulate all inputs into financial model to project cost/KWH
- O&M Contract Negotiation for Generator and Heat Recovery HW Generators
- O&M Contract Negotiation for Emergency Generator
- O&M Contract Negotiation for Electric Distribution Infrastructure
- O&M Contract Negotiation for Piping for "District" Heating and Cooling
- O&M Contract Negotiation for Cooling Tower
- O&M Contract Negotiation for Absorption Chiller
- Agree on tax treatment for city, state and federal (how much, who pays, etc.)
- Fuel Supply / Advisory Services Contract
- Low Interest CEFIA Loan
- Interconnection Agreement
- Re-Apply for VNM Allocation
- Apply for CT DEEP Grant Extension
- Finalize T&C's for Thermal Sale to Non-City Customer
- Indicative financing terms from Primary Lender
- Finalize Expected Financials for City and TPO under project as structured
- Tie everything into a Energy Services Agreement (between City & TPO)
- Secure Permitting Approvals (land use, construction, parks, environmental)
- Present Project to Budget Subcommittee of City Council and gain Approval
- Present Project to City Council and gain Approval
- Resolve Property Tax responsibility issue and get resolution from Council
- Secure Mayor Fitch Approval on ESA
- Weather political turnover, brief new Mayor. Staff and Council on project
- Secure New Mayors Approval on ESA and project
- Re-Apply for yet another CT DEEP Grant Extension
- Presentation on overall Project
- Submission and review of all Agreements / Contracts
- Credit Review on City and TPO Entity-Provide Documentation, answer questions
- Negotiation of construct. Loan and advancement of grant funds until dispersed
- Negotiate Loan T&C's with TPO
- Secure final commitment from bank
- Prepare construction documents and bid packages
- Site visits and answer questions
- Order equipment
- Receive Bids and let contracts
- Value Engineering within constraints of agreements and contracts
- Validate final design and equipment is consistent with negotiated ESA
- Develop Commissioning Plan-Select Commissioning Agent
- Schedule construction consistent with all deadlines and commitments
- Secure approvals for street closings, excavation, etc.
- Commence permitted actions
- Construction of Project and Interconnection with United Illuminating System
- Line up fuel supply for initial operating period
- Ongoing Construction Administration, Monitoring, Documentation, Validation
- Performance Testing and Witness
- Completion of Commissioning Process and Turnover
- Commence Commercial Operation
- Monitor initial performance for consistency with plans and commitments
- Administer VNM, Renewable Energy Credit programs
