Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION PLC
Avonbank,Feeder Road
BRISTOL
BS20TB
Contact
Rachel Drake
wpdsilversmith@westernpower.co.uk
Telephone
+44 1179332383
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.westernpower.co.uk/innovation
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://rfxxp.westernpower.co.uk/ECE/Pages/RFxDetails.aspx?RFxId=11804
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://rfxxp.westernpower.co.uk/ECE/Pages/RFxDetails.aspx?RFxId=11804
one.6) Main activity
Electricity
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
LV Voltage Control devices: Request for Information (Project SILVERSMITH)
Reference number
304369
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 65300000 - Electricity distribution and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
SILVERSMITH (Solving Intelligent LV - Evaluating Responsive Smart Management to Increase Total Headroom) is a 10 month NIA project investigating the future challenges and opportunities for our LV network. It aims to identify the scale and demographic of thermal, voltage, and power quality based compliance issues due to the proliferation of Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs), and Distributed Generation (DG) being connected to our Low Voltage (LV) network. We will explore new and upcoming devices and strategies to address these issues.
In partnership with EA Technology Ltd, we are conducting a network evaluation study to model our LV network considering the projected uptake of new LCTs and DG. This will provide us with insights into the types of issues we are most likely to experience in the future, and enable us to work closely with suppliers to ensure the future reinforcement or upgrade requirements can be achieved at the lowest cost at this pre-adoption stage.
What are we hoping to achieve?
Whilst we already have several tried and tested means to address compliance issues, engagement with suppliers such as yourself has suggested that we should be considering all approaches going forwards. Through a literature review of past innovation projects and peer-reviewed academia, along with this Request for Information (RfI), we want to capture the state-of-the-art LV Voltage Control devices. Pairing this with our network study and an understanding of the functional requirements we will need, SILVERSMITH will create a methodology for us and other DNOs to follow when making procurement and investment decisions on their LV networks.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £0.01
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
SILVERSMITH (Solving Intelligent LV - Evaluating Responsive Smart Management to Increase Total Headroom) is a 10 month NIA project investigating the future challenges and opportunities for our LV network. It aims to identify the scale and demographic of thermal, voltage, and power quality based compliance issues due to the proliferation of Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs), and Distributed Generation (DG) being connected to our Low Voltage (LV) network. We will explore new and upcoming devices and strategies to address these issues.
In partnership with EA Technology Ltd, we are conducting a network evaluation study to model our LV network considering the projected uptake of new LCTs and DG. This will provide us with insights into the types of issues we are most likely to experience in the future, and enable us to work closely with suppliers to ensure the future reinforcement or upgrade requirements can be achieved at the lowest cost at this pre-adoption stage.
What are we hoping to achieve?
Whilst we already have several tried and tested means to address compliance issues, engagement with suppliers such as yourself has suggested that we should be considering all approaches going forwards. Through a literature review of past innovation projects and peer-reviewed academia, along with this Request for Information (RfI), we want to capture the state-of-the-art LV Voltage Control devices. Pairing this with our network study and an understanding of the functional requirements we will need, SILVERSMITH will create a methodology for us and other DNOs to follow when making procurement and investment decisions on their LV networks.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for the receipt of applications for an invitation to tender or to negotiate
Date
15 August 2022
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of England & Wales
London
Country
United Kingdom