Public procurement notice: Periodic Indicative Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2019-08-27
Buyer: UK Power Networks (Operations) Ltd
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
CPV classification: 72000000

Technical requirements: Υπηρεσίες τεχνολογίας των πληροφοριών: παροχή συμβουλών, ανάπτυξη λογισμικού, Διαδίκτυο και υποστήριξη
This request for information was initiated to address the company’s need for enduring fault level monitoring solution.
Fault current is a key parameter for selecting equipment rating, choosing running arrangements (network configurations) and connecting Distributed Energy Resources (DER). Currently it is obtained through indirect calculations from UKPN network modelling only, which makes it impossible to validate. At the same time, there are already more than 100 locations across 3 UKPN licence areas which are subject to fault-level management to some degree. The list of these substations, along with applied fault level mitigation and measurement measures is published annually in long-term development statement.
UK Power Networks is looking for an organisation able to deliver a fully-integrated solution able to address the problem described above. The scope is to design, develop, integrate, test, validate and trial the software platform (and provide relevant hardware where and if required) capable to reliably calculate fault levels (including impedances) in near real-time at any node (busbar) of the distribution network.
The following points summarise the scope of work anticipated for the successful delivery of the real-time fault level monitoring solution:
— development of the software (or provision of the off-the-shelf solution) capable of translating disturbance data into fault levels (including network impedances) at any node in the distribution network (during the project — in the trial area). This should include all necessary simulation, testing and validation activities,
Note: during the project integration via Web Services API will be acceptable. In BaU there might be need to integrate via a more resilient protocol (e.g. ICCP),
— automated validation of fault levels calculated from the disturbance data against UKPN’s network modelling tools (DIgSILENT PowerFactory),
— provision of detailed design documentation to describe the solution and its integration with the systems/networks within which it operates.
— solution must be hosted in UKPN Cloud environment during the project. In BaU there might be the need to host in the operational environment (‘on prem’),
Given that the project is to be funded through the Ofgem NIA route, respondents must commit to adhering to the requirements of this funding route, as referenced by the link below (note that this is the latest available version at the time of RFI preparation, and a 2019 update may become available prior to project start).
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/version-30-network-innovation-allowance-governance-documents
Specific attention is drawn to the following sections of the ‘Electricity Network Innovation Allowance Governance Document version 3.0’:
If you are interested in accessing the details of the RFI please visit https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/home/procurement/request-for-information.