IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Tender description

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. Knowing actual fault-level values would help with: (a) long-term planning (targeted reinforcement, DER connections); (b) short-term planning (planning outages/running arrangements); (c) real-time operation (e.g. post-fault switching and customer supply restoration). 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, — integration with UKPN Network Management System (GE PowerOn) for visualisation purposes. 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. Additionally: — solution must satisfy UKPN cyber security and data security requirements, — 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’), — solution must be highly scalable, — we are looking at solutions with high end Technical Readiness Level (TRL), not lower than 7. 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’: — Section 2.7: Knowledge Transfer; — Section 7: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).