Government Contract | Maine
Maine Energy Decarbonization Pathways Study

Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Governors Energy Office (GEO) is seeking proposals to design, complete, and communicate an assessment of energy pathways for deep decarbonization in Maine and the Northeast region as described in this Request for Proposal (RFP) document. This document provides instructions for submitting proposals, the procedure and criteria by which the awarded Bidder will be selected, and the contractual terms which will govern the relationship between the State of Maine (State) and the awarded Bidder.The purpose of the analysis is to characterize pathways by which the State of Maine can achieve its emissions reduction requirements and Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in cost-efficient manner while ensuring energy security, reliability, and accounting for key regional factors. Such characterization is anticipated to involve sophisticated modeling of multiple scenarios based on a set of established constraints and varying assumptions.The identified decarbonization pathways must be sufficiently detailed as to inform decision-making in the context of regional and state electric system planning, including bulk and local systems, in a manner that supports least-cost approaches and investments to managing new and retiring infrastructure.The identified pathways should be modeled in a manner that enables comparison with respect to total and relative impacts to overall consumer energy expenditures, including specific consideration of certain consumer segments.The resulting analysis is expected to inform stakeholders regarding certain tradeoffs, decisions, risks, and opportunities inherent to each potential pathway. Therefore, the study must both achieve rigorous, data-driven results while communicating findings and implications in an accessible format for a broad range of stakeholders.The outcome of this task will be projected energy use (demand) with a high degree of sectoral, temporal, and spatial resolution for the near- and long-term study periods. Energy use across all major sources must be included, and should account for transformations in technology stock and efficiency. Bidders should specify modeling tools and factors to be incorporated, which must include at a minimum:All existing and reasonably anticipated applicable policies and programs at federal, regional, and state levels, including Maine Wont Wait;Appropriate assumptions regarding the development and deployment of innovative technologies;Incorporation of best available information with respect to exogenous drivers of energy demand at appropriate temporal and spatial scales, including meteorological and economic trends.The analysis should account for interactions among fuel production and consumption in the context of applicable economy-wide emissions constraints. At least three forecast outputs should be specified, including a reference case and two or more alternative cases, at least one of which shall include a high degree of electrification and load flexibility.