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

• Value: £7M

Lot 1 - Innovation and Engineering Consultancy 1. Undertake technology and market assessment, reviewing similar projects in other jurisdictions and undertaking internal and external engagement 2. Develop high and low-level trial designs, solution architecture development and optioneering 3. Undertake traditional and novel system modelling, network design and optioneering 4. Develop solution and equipment specifications and support procurement 5. Undertake data analysis and modelling, and prepare business cases and cost benefit analyses 6. Undertake policy and legislative reviews, and business as usual impact assessments 7. Support the initial and iterative development of Network Development Plans (NDP) 8. Produce project reports, plans and other documents, disseminating findings to both internal and external stakeholders 9. Provide project management support or resources 10. Develop innovation project proposals including methodologies and business cases The above list may not be exhaustive.

• Value: £1M

Lot 2 - Telecommunication 1. Support the development of a private Long-Term Evolution (p-LTE) cellular network for utility purposes; including delivering a demonstrator pilot and long term roll out 2. Provide expert advice and support to assist in the operation and development of the Operational Telecommunications Network (OTN) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network 3. Develop future strategies and solutions for telecommunications and operational technology (OT) infrastructure 4. Develop business and ownership models, strategic structures and resource requirements 5. Engage internal and external stakeholders, vendors, and regulators to advance plans and strategic objectives 6. Produce solution and equipment specifications and support procurement for future approaches 7. Provide expert advice and support for the procurement/appointment of a managed service provider (MSP) for the OTN 8. Provide project or programme management support as required The above list may not be exhaustive.

• Value: £2M

Lot 3 - Network Data Analysis 1. Undertake data analysis on large data sets including high voltage and low voltage monitor, and smart meter data to shape power system requirements, investment plans and operational decisions/solutions 2. Analyse asset condition, and network faults data and combine with other data sets to optimise asset replacement strategies 3. Leverage opportunities to utilise machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions in the above and other innovative projects to derive further insights and value, identifying new relationships or trends in network and consumer behaviour 4. Maximise value from ‘dirty’ or incomplete data sets using advanced models to fill data gaps and derive insights The above list may not be exhaustive.

• Value: £1M

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.

• Value: £1M

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.

• Value: £1M

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.

• Value: £880K

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.