--- title: "LV Voltage Control devices: Request for Information (Project SILVERSMITH)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-035231" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-035231" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-035231.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-035231.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION PLC" published: "2022-07-14" --- # LV Voltage Control devices: Request for Information (Project SILVERSMITH) Buyer: WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION PLC Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-035231 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-035231) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-035231.json) ## Summary The public procurement contracting process involves WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION PLC, which is requesting information for the 'LV Voltage Control devices: Request for Information (Project SILVERSMITH)'. This initiative falls within the electricity distribution services sector and aims to address the challenges of low voltage networks in the UK, particularly in light of Low Carbon Technologies and Distributed Generation. The procurement stage is currently at the tender phase, with a submission deadline set for 15th August 2022. Interested suppliers must submit their responses electronically to a specified URL provided by the contracting authority. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the engineering and technology sectors, especially those focused on electrical machinery and innovative energy solutions. Companies engaged in developing or supplying cutting-edge voltage control devices and related services will find a conducive environment for participation. By leveraging their expertise and collaborating with a major utility provider, businesses can align their offerings with the future needs of low voltage networks, thereby positioning themselves for growth and long-term contracts within this evolving industry. ## Notice 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. ### Lot Information Lot 1 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019337-2022 | | Notice type | Planning Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 Jul 2022 | | Submission deadline | 15 Aug 2022 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION PLC | | Locality | BRISTOL | | Post town | Bristol | | Postcode | BS2 0TB | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England | | ITL 3 | TLK51 Bristol, City of | | Local authority | Bristol, City of | | Electoral ward | Lawrence Hill | | Westminster constituency | Bristol East | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting - 65 - Public utilities ### Codes - 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting - 65300000 - Electricity distribution and related services ## Release History - 14 Jul 2022 at 17:41 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019337-2022 ## Notice URLs - https://rfxxp.westernpower.co.uk/ECE/Pages/RFxDetails.aspx?RFxId=11804 - https://www.westernpower.co.uk/innovation ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-035231. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-035231.json.