Machines and apparatus for testing and measuring

Tender description

1. Background information on The University of Manchester. The University of Manchester is Britain's largest single-site university, with a proud history of achievement and an ambitious agenda for the future. The University provides world-class research facilities and undertakes research of international standing. It offers students a wide choice of degree programmes and options, and excellent facilities and student support services. The University employs over 12 000 staff and offers over 400 different degree courses. It comprises three faculties with 23 academic schools and hundreds of specialist research groups. The University's cultural attractions include The Manchester Museum, The Whitworth Art Gallery, Jodrell Bank Observatory and the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama. The University also operates a thriving conference and meeting operation including a hotel and conference centre. Further details on the University can be found at: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/facts-figures/ 2. Background information on Project. The University has maintained high voltage research facilities since 1954 when the first laboratory was opened in what is now the Sackville Street Building. The high voltage facilities are now located within Ferranti Building and are primarily used to support the work of academics within the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The laboratories support wider work in electrical power systems in which the school researchers produce more papers in the leading IEEE journals relevant to power systems than any other UK University. There are a number of high voltage laboratories, the main one being a 500 m2 laboratory with a 2 MV impulse generator, 800 kV AC test set and 600 kV DC test set. A smaller 300 kV AC test set also exists. The laboratory has a control room from where all experimentation is controlled. There is vehicular access through a large roller shutter door and a 3 tonne crane that allows the unloading and movement of heavy items. Wet spray facilities exist within the laboratory for the testing of outdoor insulation. A 10 kA low-voltage high-current source is also available. The laboratory is primarily used in applications relevant to the 275 kV or 400 kV power systems although it also has considerable value in lower voltage high power testing. The prime role of the laboratory is research with an additional commitment to support teaching activities at both UG and PGT levels. Our researchers work extensively with colleagues within other parts of our School and in other Schools in the Faculty. We therefore leverage the expertise within, in particular, the School of Materials and the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE). Extensive use is made of fabrication and characterisation facilities and many projects include investigators from these Schools. In the future our expectation is to work with colleagues within Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre and The Sir Henry Royce Institute for Materials Research and Innovation as they develop. The University is presently investing in a new HV laboratory within its Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD). We will occupy this facility from 2020 to 2021 and this will improve the quality of our HV test environment with an expectation of reduced noise levels owing to the improved level of screening in the new facilities. The laboratory will be placed at the heart of the public realm and will be highly visible to people visiting the University. In late 2016 the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering bid to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for funds to provide new high voltage test equipment. This bid was successful and the University will receive funds in April 2017 with a requirement to complete spend by the end of March 2018. The description provided to EPSRC stated: ‘We specifically request funding for an 800 kV AC test set and a 600 kV DC test set. These voltage levels will maximise the capability of the HV laboratories, facilitating research at voltage levels relevant to the majority of global electricity transmission systems. The test sets will replace existing units at the University which are at the end of life (the existing AC set being over 40 years old). They will extend the capability for testing polluted systems and their lower partial discharge levels will allow more accurate assessments of insulation system degradation. Their portability will allow the laboratory space to be used more efficiently than currently possible.’ Additional equipment requested by the bid to EPSRC (not within the scope of this tender) includes a large (walk-in) environmental chamber into which equipment (such as transformers / insulators / bushings / gaseous and liquid insulation test cells) can be placed and simultaneously subjected to high voltage and varying atmospheric conditions; refurbishment of our existing 2 MV impulse generator controls / a system to improve the mobility of the impulse generator; a transformer dissolved gas analysis system; and an overhead line electromechanical test system. 3. Project Overview. This tender is for the provision of a high voltage AC test set (Lot 1) and a high voltage DC test set (Lot 2). Bidders can bid for a single item or for both items.