Public procurement notice: Periodic Indicative Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2020-12-23
Buyer: National Grid Electricity System Operator Ltd
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
CPV classification: 72268000: Software supply services
Estimated value: 10000000 GBP

Technical requirements: The objective of this PIN is to provide notice regarding sourcing of the following component. Suppliers should contact National Grid Electricity System Operator to indicate their expression of interest in bidding for the provision of a new EMS (Energy Management System) Core for National Grid Electricity System Operator to manage the GB Electricity network.
To operate the electricity system economically and efficiently, our control centre will need a high degree of situational awareness i.e. the ability to monitor and understand the status of the network and evolving operational limits. The vision for the future of network control is to better understand the real time ‘operating envelope’ to lower balancing costs and increase system security. By 2026 the future Network Control Management System (NCMS) will:
• replace our current real-time situational awareness capability, the Integrated Energy Management System (iEMS) with a more focused situational awareness tool set. During the first 2 years of RIIO-2, we will focus on defining the requirements of the new tool, working with network parties through the Technical Working Groups and commencing the build of modules for the tool;
• develop new online and offline modelling capabilities, including whole electricity system simulation and modelling aided by machine learning and probabilistic analysis. This enhanced look-ahead capability will allow us to predict transmission problems in a more volatile operating environment. We will make the impact of distribution network capability more visible, so that we can make better decisions;
• enhance our control centre video walls and operator consoles to ensure we can visualise the real-time state of the network. Upgrades are needed given the increased data coming into the control centre that our engineers must be able to understand and analyse to make optimal decisions;
• facilitate an increase in operational liaison with DNOs and offshore transmission owners, allowing us to implement in real-time the enhanced whole electricity system coordination proposed under RIIO-2;
• to realise the above vision the network control project will be enhancing the following key capabilities. Real time situational awareness tools;
(a) pre-qualification questionnaire, issued to applicable suppliers registered on Achilles Utilities Vendor Database;
National Grid ESO is the electricity system operator for Great Britain. Our control room moves electricity around the country second by second to ensure that the right amount of electricity is where it’s needed, when it’s needed – always keeping supply and demand in perfect balance.
We also have to plan for the future. We must think about things like where our energy will come from and how we will operate a greener and cleaner system in the future.
We want to be able to run a zero carbon electricity system by 2025, which will be crucial in helping the UK meet its wider zero carbon target.


Award value: 10000000