Section_J_-_Att_001_SOW.pdf

Scope / Statement of Work (SOW)

Solar Power System Computer Programming Modifications and

Inverter Repairs

Alcatraz Island

Prepared By: Jim Hall, PE

Date: November 22, 2021

Table of Contents

1.0 Project Description / Summary

2.0 Objectives

3.0 Background

4.0 Specific Work / Tasks

5.0 Optional Work / Tasks

6.0 Government Furnished Equipment / Materials / Other

7.0 Special Conditions / Requirements

8.0 Place of Performance

9.0 Performance Period / Schedule Requirements

10.0 Project Contacts

Solicitation 140P8622Q0014 Section J - Att No. 001

1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY:

This project is for the Solar Power System located on Alcatraz Island in Golden Gate National

Park (GOGA), California. Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, approximately 1.0 mile offshore from Pier 33. The system is owned by the park service and maintained through a preventative maintenance contract by a National Park Service (NPS) Concessioner.

Alcatraz Island was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1976 and was designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1986. The National Register nomination describes the significance of Alcatraz Island: “Alcatraz is an island in San Francisco Bay which is of national historical significance in the categories of military history and social history

(penology). During the mid-19th Century, it was an impressive fortress guarding, along with Fort

Point and, later, Angel Island, the entrance to San Francisco Bay. As a fortress, it was as nearly impregnable as technology of the time could make it – an “American Gibraltar” – and it was crowned with a brick/masonry “Citadel” which may have been unique in the annals of American military architecture. In later years it served as a military prison, and in more recent times became a Federal penitentiary and one of America’s most famous penal institutions, with a reputation rivaling France’s Devil’s Island. As a Federal prison, it housed some of America’s most dangerous criminals, those whom it was believed were too unmanageable for incarceration in other Federal prisons. Its location in the Bay rendered Alcatraz nearly escape-proof” (Chappell

1976).

Although all work will be confined to the Solar Power electrical room, the contractor shall take all necessary precautions needed to prevent damage to the historic building and its character defining features/materials while replacing parts in the inverter(s).

The primary work in this project includes, but is not limited to, reprogramming the control computer to accommodate all inverters and replacing electrical components in Inverter A1 that we used to repair Inverter B1. The solar power system began experiencing problems first noted on May 1, 2020 with ground faults. Subsequently and possibly related, on August 18, 2020, Inverter B1’s IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) failed, this then placed Invert B2 as the only Inverter to be functioning due to battery issues associated with the A bank of Inverters.

Inverter B2 functions, but due to the sensitivity of the system, it will often trip off (the generators then take over) until it is reset. The latest repair took parts from Invert A1 (not being used due to battery bank failure) and placed the parts in Inverter B1 along with computer programming setting changes made to reduce the frequency of this failure, but it will still happen until repairs are made to the inverter.

The general Scope of Work requested to be performed is as follows:

a. Replacing all parts inside Inverter A1 that were used to repair Inverter B1 (IGBT

Assembly and power supply)

b. Recalibrate all internal components as necessary

c. Update software / firmware to correct for current transformer (CT) imbalance

d. Undo programming changes made to Inverters B1 and B2 to allow them to operate without A1 and A2.

The project will not impact visitors as the maintenance of power is transparent to the visitor. The electrical room is located in an area not accessible to visitors.

2.0 OBJECTIVES:

This project is intended to replace the parts removed from Inverter A1 and installed in Inverter

B1 to allow the B bank of inverters to operate as intended. The project will also restore all programming back to allow both A and B banks of inverters to operate normally. Concurrent to this project is another project (under warranty) to replace faulty batteries associated with the A bank.

Under normal operation, the solar power system (when sunlight is available) can supply 100% power to the island with generator backup when either there is a fault or not enough sunlight available to produce enough solar power. Since the system started having issues over a year ago, the park on average has spent $13,480.00 (based on paid invoices from 09/2020 – 11/2021) on diesel fuel. It is noted that prior to the Inverter B1 failure, the invoicing for June and July of

2020 was $0.00, and the invoice for August of 2020 was $291.00. This clearly documents the significance of a properly operating system.

3.0 BACKGROUND:

As mentioned above, the Solar Power System began having random issues in May of 2020. The issues noted since then have not been corrected to date. The system is approximately 9-years old and the design-build solar installation project sourced Princeton Power Systems (PPS) to design the solar power portion of the system. The design criteria for the project was for the system to generate 60% of the electricity required for operation of the island. Between November of 2012 and the following June, diesel fuel consumption had been reduced by 45%.

Unfortunately, in August of 2019, PPS closed and filed for bankruptcy and left the park service stranded for support services. Off Grid Electric (OGE) was born from this closure and when

Princeton Power Systems liquidated their inventory due to bankruptcy, OGE purchased acquired most of the electrical parts in stock. OGE also hired former PPS staff and appropriated intellectual property rights to most proprietary system concepts. The lead at OGE, Shawn Terrell, was one of the founders of and a lead engineer for Princeton Power Systems. Shawn Terrell has extensive experience with the Alcatraz microgrid and PPS systems in the US and internationally.

Research into finding support other than OGE has not uncovered any viable options as the programming, design of inverters (the main component to the solar power system), and parts are all proprietary and reside with OGE. The two options are to use the sole-source (OGE) or replace the system in its entirety.

4.0 SPECIFIC WORK / TASKS:

a. Replacing all parts inside Inverter A1 that were used to repair Inverter B1 (IGBT

Assembly and power supply): The contractor shall replace the IGBT and the power supply that were removed from Inverter A1 and placed into Inverter B1. The contractor shall fully test the repaired inverter to ensure that it functions as normal. The contractor shall provide a report documenting the parts replaced with narration to include part numbers and locations of parts for future reference in the event of an unrelated failure or warranty related failure.

b. Recalibrate all internal components as necessary: The contractor shall recalibrate all new components to ensure that system is operating as intended. The contractor shall provide a report of all settings as applicable to the recalibration.

c. Update software / firmware to correct for current transformer (CT) imbalance: The contractor shall update all software and firmware to correct for current transformer imbalances. The contractor shall provide a report of all software and firmware versions for future reference. The contractor shall also advise the park of any pending updates within the next year.

d. Undo programming changes made to Inverters B1 and B2 to allow them to operate without A1 and A2: The contractor shall undo all programming changes made during the last repairs to the system that allowed Inverter Bank B to operate without Inverter Bank

A online. The purpose of the programming changes was to reduce the amount of use of the backup generators due to the Solar Power System sensing a fault when looking for

Bank A as a backup. The programming will essentially be returned to original specifications with the exception of all knowledge gained over the past 9 years with relation to system efficiency.

e. Testing, Tuning, and Modifying: The system shall have all necessary software tuning and additional monitoring to allow complete testing of the system to ensure that it is operating as efficiently as possible. All required documentation mentioned above shall be complied into a single reference document to be used to document the condition of the system upon completion of the project.

5.0 OPTIONAL WORK / TASKS:

Not Used

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT / MATERIALS / OTHER:

Not Used

7.0 SPECIAL CONDITIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

a. During construction should the Contractor discover additional damage to the inverters, they should notify the NPS Project Manager.

b. The project site shall have all necessary safety barriers and or signage to assure for visitor and staff exclusion and protection from construction site.

c. Normal hours of operation – 8:20 am to 6:40 pm (M, TH, FRI, Sat, and Sun), 8:20 am to

4:25 pm (T and W).

d. Contractor shall meet all state, county, and local COVID-19 restrictions. Contractor shall submit their COVID mitigation plan 1 week prior to starting work for NPS review.

e. This is a Concessioner managed building but an NPS managed project. All communications and work coordination shall be coordinated through the Park Contract

Manger.

f. The Contractor is responsible for the protection and continuity of use of the electrical system and computer equipment to maintain operations on the island.

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Golden Gate National Park

Alcatraz Island

San Francisco, California

9.0 PERFORMANCE PERIOD / SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:

a. All on-site work must be completed as soon as possible.

b. Some work may be completed during weekends, with approval from Contracting Officer.

10.0 PROJECT CONTACTS:

Patty Payne – Contracting Officer

Jim Hall, NPS Project Manager james_hall@nps.gov

(813) 300-3445

Dan Collman, NPS Facility Manager danny_collman@nps.gov

(415) 725-8608 mailto:danny_collman@nps.gov