2017 Distributed Generation RFPs (AIC, ComEd, and MEC)

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) conducted a Spring 2017 procurement event for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from distributed generation (DG) resources on behalf of Ameren Illinois Company (AIC), Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd), and MidAmerican Energy Company (MEC). This RFP solicited suppliers to deliver RECs generated from distributed renewable energy generation devices with a nameplate capacity limited to 2,000 kilowatts, located behind customer meters, and interconnected at the distribution level of electric utilities in Illinois.

The procurement targeted both new and existing distributed renewable energy systems powered by wind, solar thermal energy, photovoltaic cells and panels, biodiesel, crops, untreated organic waste biomass, tree waste, and hydropower. Suppliers were required to bid a minimum of 1 MW with the goal of procuring 50% of RECs from systems below 25 kW. The Spring procurement established targets of 4,928 RECs for AIC, 14,097 RECs for ComEd, and 524 RECs for MEC (total Spring Target of 19,549 RECs annually). Preliminary budgets were $10,010,028 for AIC, $20,486,892 for ComEd, and $2,971,090 for MEC (total of $33,468,010 for all contract years).

Key dates included: Part 1 Proposal deadline of April 5, 2017 at 12 PM (noon) CPT; Part 2 Proposal deadline of April 20, 2017 at 12 PM (noon) CPT; Bid Date of April 27, 2017; and Illinois Commerce Commission decision expected May 3, 2017. Bidders were required to provide a Letter of Credit in the amount of $4 per REC across all contract years. Systems identified in proposals were required to begin accumulating metered deliveries by May 31, 2018, while forecast quantities (for unidentified systems) had until February 28, 2019 to begin metered deliveries. The Supplier Fee was announced as $3 per REC.

Winning suppliers included Ameresco Inc., Carbon Solutions Group LLC, IL-Solar Inc., SoCore Installation Services LLC, Solar Star Illinois I LLC, and SRECTrade Inc. Procurement was conducted in compliance with Public Act 095-0481 and the Illinois Power Agency Act.