CA260 (2024) - Provision of Engineering, Data, Strategy and Management Services

NIE Networks has established a panel of five organisations and appointed each on to framework agreements for this Lot 1.

This Lot is concerned with professional services for Innovation and Engineering.

The framework will be for a period of five(5) years with an option to extend for up to 36 months (8 years in total).

NIE Networks has placed a panel of 4 organisations and appointed each on to framework agreements for this Lot 2.

This Lot is concerned with the provision of Telecommunication Professional Services. .

The framework agreement will be for a period of five (5) years with an option to extend for up to 36 months (8 years in total).

NIE Networks has established a panel of five organisations and appointed each on to a framework agreement for this Lot 3.

This Lot is concerned with the provision of professional services for Network Data Analysis.

The framework agreement will be for a period of five(5) years with an option to extend for up to 36 months(8 years in total).

NIE Networks has established a panel of five organisations and appointed each on to framework agreements for this Lot 4.

This Lot is concerned with professional services for DSO Architecture, Energy Economics, Regulation and Market Operation.

The framework will be for a period of five(5) years with an option to extend for up to 36 months (8 years in total).

NIE Networks has established a panel of five organisations and appointed each on to framework agreements for this Lot 5.

This Lot is concerned with professional services for Asset Strategy and Optimisation.

The framework will be for a period of five(5) years with an option to extend for up to 36 months (8 years in total).

NIE Networks has established a panel of three organisations and appointed each on to framework agreements for this Lot 6.

This Lot is concerned with professional services for Low Carbon Modelling and Consumer Insights. .

The framework will be for a period of five(5) years with an option to extend for up to 36 months (8 years in total).

NIE Networks has established a panel of two organisations and appointed each on to framework agreements for this Lot 7.

This Lot is concerned with professional services for Tariff Design, Reform and Network Modelling.

The framework will be for a period of five(5) years with an option to extend for up to 36 months (8 years in total).

Lot 4 - DSO Architecture, Energy Economics, Regulation and Market Operation

1. Support the iterative development of NIE Networks’ DSO Strategy, architecture and implementation plan
2. Provide advice on Single Electricity Market (SEM) operation including ancillary services, capacity and balancing arrangements, and applicable codes and documents e.g. grid code, trading and settlement code
3. Consider and advise on developments in legislation, regulation and network codes, including consultations and SEM Committee decisions leveraging experiences from other jurisdictions e.g. GB, RoI and Europe
4. Provide advice on the overall DSO development and TSO/DSO model, including the development of:

a. distribution flexibility services e.g. product development, procurement, operational and co-ordination, and applicable codes and impacts

b. customers participating in energy and ancillary service markets and applicable codes and impacts

c. flexible connection arrangements on the distribution system

d. the introduction of market-based procurement of system wide ancillary services (Future Arrangements)

5. Advise on supplier regulations and the optimal way to engage domestic customers in flexible arrangements and support innovation projects
6. Support the development of new technical and commercial models which support active energy consumers including community energy models
7. Analyse energy market data and trends to derive insights on distribution system impacts and customers and market participant behaviours including renewable patterns
8. Undertake socio-economic cost benefit analyses
9. Advise on the implementation of licence conditions and the development of regulatory models in other jurisdictions

The above list may not be exhaustive.

Lot 5 - Asset Strategy and Optimisation

1. Investigate new asset condition assessment procedures
2. Undertake market and technology development reviews and impact/opportunity assessments
3. Support the development of equipment specifications and support procurement activities including the development of new offshore infrastructure
4. Undertake strategic reviews of Asset Management strategies and resource capability
5. Advise on future equipment requirements and management strategies
6. Assess compliance with ESQCR and other legislative drivers impacting policy
7. Support innovation projects introducing new solutions and equipment
8. Advise on environmental adaption measures and strategy development

Gap analysis on overall asset data and analysis on specific condition data for each asset type, current state, best practice, improvement plan

The above list may not be exhaustive.

Lot 6 - Low Carbon Modelling and Consumer Insights

1. Engage with relevant internal and external stakeholders and undertake research into future outlook for low carbon economy e.g. customer behaviours, legislation and government policy, capturing customer and business plans including decarbonisation and expansion that impact and disseminate learnings and findings
2. Supporting local authorities in Northern Ireland to develop Local Area Energy Plans (LAEP)
3. Develop localised socio-economic models for Northern Ireland and analyse network impacts
4. Develop local uptake scenarios for each low carbon technology category e.g. electric vehicles, solar, and produce (distributed) future energy scenarios for regions within Northern Ireland
5. Contribute to the development of a Network Development Plan for Northern Ireland
6. Provide advice and undertake impact assessments on policy, regulation and other legislation
7. Provide technology specific advice based on observations from other jurisdictions and pilot projects

The above list may not be exhaustive.

Lot 7 - Tariff Design, Reform and Network Modelling

1. Review and Potential Redesign of Distribution Loss Adjustment Factors

• Network modelling capability including modelling the contribution of HV and LV generation to network losses for apportionment
• Review and potential redesign of DLAFs with potential expansion of site-specific DLAFs for demand and generation customers.

2. Understanding how the network is being used and fair apportionment of costs and supporting tariff reform

• Review of existing tariff arrangements in Northern Ireland and other jurisdictions e.g. GB, Ireland, Europe
• Evaluating tariff related issues being faced and new tariff initiatives in above mentioned jurisdictions
• Tariff design to support and promote efficient network utilisation and demand side flexibility while minimising the impact on vulnerable customers. Issues/initiatives to be considered include, for example: fair and appropriate apportionment of costs, appropriate charging for low carbon technologies, charges to influence capacity management, seasonal/time of day impacts, fixed/variable balance of charges.

The above list may not be exhaustive.