provision of expert services in support of SEAI’s Research and policy Insights Directorate

Description

The objective of this RFT is to establish a framework for expert services in support of SEAI’s Research and policy Insights Directorate. This RFT is issued with the objective of to establish frameworks of experts comprising of the following: Lot 1: Sustainable energy policy research and advice. Lot 2: Energy model development and support. Lot 3: Sustainable Energy Finance and programme / policy impact evaluation (including Cost Benefit Analysis). Lot 4: Framework for the Provision of Market Research Services. Lot 5: Sustainable Energy Research. Lot 6: Behavioural Science, Experimental Design and Evaluation. Lot 7: Data Gathering and Quality Control. Lot 8: Decarbonised heat Lot 9: Provision of Support to Public and Professional Bodies (in developing and adopting SEAI Best Practices in the electricity and wind energy sectors. Lot 10: Offshore renewables policy and research support. For further information please visit the RFT on www.etenders.gov.ie Lot 1: Sustainable energy policy research and advice SEAI will draw upon the appointed experts to undertake several diverse tasks to include (but not limited to) the following: Policy research (including reviews of published literature and provision of expertise) with a focus on driving uptake for existing and emerging low carbon technologies (including wind, bioenergy technologies, solar PV, offshore, ocean, heat pumps, hydroelectric, district heating etc.) and energy efficiency measures. Provision of expert advice and summary reporting on existing and emerging EU and Irish legislation. Providing strategic expertise to inform design of energy policy. SEAI do not require tenderers to be proficient in all of the above topics or associated key skills/knowledge, but they should clearly indicate relative strengths/weaknesses and suitability of each task/field indicated. Key skills/knowledge: Environmental policy-oriented research, energy sector technical knowledge. Lot 2: Energy model development and support SEAI will draw upon the appointed experts to undertake several diverse tasks to include (but not limited to) the following: 1. Development of bespoke energy models and provision of technical analysis for informing sustainable energy policy making. 2. Enhancement of existing energy models, modelling methodologies, data sources, data management and quality control/assurance (QAQC) practises, and policy assessment tools, including: a. Models for heat, energy efficiency, electricity (PLEXOS), transport, energy infrastructure, and cost-benefit analysis, which are integrated within the National Energy Modelling Framework (NEMF) – link to more detail at the footnote . b. Renewable energy support schemes, such as the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), and Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS). 3. Support the development and maintenance of the Python-based NEMF, including version control, program efficiency, documentation, training, feature enhancement, visualisation, QAQC, and user interface and inputs interaction. 4. Assessment and critical appraisal of existing SEAI models used for analysis, including: a. Model verification and in-depth review of model inputs, processes, calculations, algorithms and outputs. b. Data management and QAQC processes (including templates, protocols for filing, model development and utilisation, and data sourcing. SEAI do not require tenderers to be proficient in all of the above topics or associated key skills/knowledge, but they should clearly indicate relative strengths/weaknesses and suitability of each task/field indicated. The complexity of the modelling work varies form bespoke excel based energy policy models, to the fully detailed energy system wide modelling framework referred to above and described in the footnote below as the National Energy Modelling Framework, (NEMF). Key skills/knowledge: detailed energy/technology data analysis, energy/economic/behavioural modelling expertise, techno-economic modelling and assessment methodologies, consumer uptake analysis, energy model development, software development best practise, visualisation, quality assurance/control expertise (specific to energy modelling), ISO certification (e.g., ISO 9001), model coding expertise (including in Python). Lot 3: Sustainable Energy Finance and programme/policy impact evaluation (including Cost Benefit Analysis) SEAI will draw upon the appointed experts to undertake several diverse tasks to include (but not limited to) the following: 1. Advising on energy sector financing, including project finance, innovative finance mechanisms for energy efficiency, and financial instruments for supporting individual and community renewable energy. 2. Cost-benefit analysis of policies and measures including analysis of their impacts on a range of energy sector stakeholders (bill-payers, operators of both thermal and renewable plant, energy suppliers etc.). Policies and measures to be analysed will include a broad range of energy efficiency and renewable energy technology and policy options related to the development of a sustainable energy system (supply and demand) for Ireland. 3. Conduct ex-ante appraisal (Cost-benefit analyses, multi-criteria analysis, financial appraisal, economic appraisal, demand analysis, sensitivity and scenario analysis) and ex-post evaluation (counterfactual impact evaluation) of new and existing schemes delivered by SEAI on behalf of Government. SEAI do not require tenderers to be proficient in all of the above topics or associated key skills/knowledge, but they should clearly indicate relative strengths/weaknesses and suitability of each task/field indicated. The scale of the work covered by this lot will vary from desktop research-based tasks to e.g. aggregate the latest on sustainable energy and project financing, to full CBA’s carried out in accordance with the Irish Government’s Public Spending Code. Lot 4: Provision of Market Research Services SEAI will draw upon the appointed experts to undertake several diverse tasks to include (but not limited to) market Research to measure and understand consumer attitudes to energy and transport use, energy policies and incentives, demand side management initiatives and the uptake and use patterns of various technologies and practices. The Contracting Authority intends to appoint suitably qualified services provider(s) to provide quantitative and qualitative market research services as required. This may include, but is not limited to: 1. Quantitative research: Either nationally representative or of restricted demographically targeted audiences. This may be as part of available omnibus surveys, conducted through telephone, face-to-face or online, depending on the project requirements and questionnaire suitability. Tenderers are invited to indicate the full range of methodologies and services available in-house or where available via sub-contracted 3rd parties. 2. Qualitative research via focus groups: Depending on project requirements, these may be notionally representative groups or may be limited to specific audience segments. These will generally establish audience disposition, attitudes / beliefs and help understand audience vocabulary on a subject as well as market barriers (relative to a particular initiative). Expertise in moderating and reporting on focus groups is essential. 3. Depth interviews: Conducting in-depth interviews pre and post different policy interventions. These will be used to assess specific customer experiences e.g. motivation, decision cycle, satisfaction, outcomes, attitudinal shift. 4. Participant recruitment: Recruitment of participant samples to participate in SEAI designed surveys. These could be nationally representative or targeted based on for example, certain sociodemographic groups or geographic areas. In some instances, the Framework Member may be asked to provide insights in respect of research undertaken. Tenderers should outline the range of analytical services they could provide on collected data. Tenderers should indicate process for quality control in the various stages and types of research undertaken. All data gathered is the property of SEAI and will be provided to SEAI in industry standard format following contract for use in future research and baseline comparison as appropriate. Key skills/knowledge: survey design, sampling, fieldwork, data analysis, results presentation and communication. Lot 5: Sustainable Energy Research SEAI will draw upon the appointed experts to undertake several diverse tasks to include (but not limited to) the following: 1. Provision of reviews or analysis to gain insight on research funding trends and advising on research funding mechanisms to support and enhance engagement and impact of energy research across companies and State/Semi-State research organisations in Ireland. 2. Review or development of knowledge transfer opportunities/activities for the knowledge and outputs generated by SEAI funded research projects to better inform policy development and implementation that is readily usable by end-users. 3. Review or development of guidance or training materials to support research funding activities. 4. Provision of technical writing, copywriting and content development services for online and offline purposes to support knowledge transfer and to raise awareness of energy research activities in Ireland. Consider rates/500 words or similar. SEAI do not require tenderers to be proficient in all of the above topics or associated key skills/knowledge, but they should clearly indicate relative strengths/weaknesses and suitability of each task/field indicated. Key skills/knowledge: Detailed knowledge of current and proposed National and EU research funding policies; energy sector technical knowledge; technical writing, copywriting and content development; expertise of research funding impact evaluation, programme and policy impact evaluation. Lot 6: Behavioural Science, Experimental Design and Evaluation SEAI will draw upon the appointed experts to undertake several diverse tasks in the fields of behavioural science, experimental design and evaluation to understand consumer and business behaviour, including but not limited to energy use, technology adoption, transport modal shift. Tasks to include (but not limited to): 1. Undertake lab/online experiments to pre-test behaviour change interventions 2. Provide advice and assistance in the design of large-scale field behaviour change interventions which involve counterfactual impact evaluations (Quasi-experimental and/or Randomised Designs). 3. Review of proposed lab/online/field experimental designs (Quasi-experimental and Randomised Evaluations) of behaviour change interventions1 for quality assurance purposes. 4. Review of completed analysis of results from quasi-experimental and/or randomised lab/field evaluations of behaviour change interventions for quality assurance purposes. 5. Review of existing literature on behavioural change strategies to reduce consumption and increase uptake of environmentally beneficial technologies 6. Provision of analytical and/or strategic expertise pertinent to the assessment of solutions that enable technical and other barriers to market uptake to be overcome. SEAI do not expect tenderers to be proficient in all of the above but should indicate relative strengths/weaknesses and suitability of each methodology suggested. In some instances, the Framework Member may be asked to provide insights in respect of research undertaken. Tenderers should outline the range of analytical services they could provide on collected data. Tenderers should indicate process for quality control in the various stages and types of research undertaken. All data gathered is the property of SEAI and will be provided to SEAI in industry standard format following contract for use in future research and baseline comparison as appropriate. Key skills/knowledge: Randomised evaluation design and analysis, quasi-experimental methods, counterfactual impact evaluation, conducting of lab/online/field experiments, behavioural economics, behavioural science, behaviour change intervention design, analysis of energy related behaviour change interventions, econometrics, statistics, policy evaluation. Lot 7: Data Gathering and Quality Control SEAI will draw upon data experts to undertake several diverse tasks to include (but not limited to) the following: 1. The design and delivery/deployment of statistically representative surveys, market research, and/or public administrative data to collect, collate, interpret, and prepare high quality data relating to, inter alia: a. energy supply including micro- and auto-generation; b. energy use at sectoral level; c. energy end-use profiles; d. energy user attitudes to energy; e. energy policy, incentives etc.; f. energy using technology up-take/diffusion; g. building conditions; h. uptake and use of sustainable energy technologies and practices; i. energy trends; j. market intelligence. This work will often require the use of statistically significant and representative sampling of data at the sector, end-user, market, and/or national level, to ensure resulting insights from that data are relevant, and for the calibration of assumptions in modelling of energy use. This work may involve the collecting and preparing of data for use in SEAI’s Geographical Information System, with geocoding to Irish Transverse Mercator coordinates. 2. Development of quality control / quality assurance templates, tools and protocols for energy data sourcing, data-filing, data-referencing, and data-release. 3. Geocoding existing SEAI datasets that contain a location element with Irish Transverse Mercator coordinates. SEAI do not require tenderers to be proficient in all of the above topics or associated key skills/knowledge, but they should clearly indicate relative strengths/weaknesses and suitability of each task/field indicated. Key skills/knowledge: Any or all of proficiency in statistical analysis methodology; market research; data collection and preparation; behavioural science, ISO certification (e.g., ISO 9001) in quality assurance / quality control with specific expertise in data collection, storage, and release; geospatial analysis; and geographic data collation and conversion. Lot 8: Decarbonised heat SEAI will draw upon the decarbonised heat specialist experts to undertake several diverse tasks to include (but not limited to) the following: 1. Provision of analytical support related to the sustainability of bioenergy supply chains aimed at informing best practice and informing the development of sustainability requirements in government support schemes. 2. Conducting analysis on the bioenergy feedstock available domestically and for import as well as the supply chain capacity and limitations. An important aspect is the impact emerging legislative requirements at international and EU level on potential availability and price. 3. Provision of advice on business models - conventional, community, group or other - for bioenergy development and on the consenting context for bioenergy projects. 4. Analytical support on the potential, technical capabilities and cost of emerging renewable gas technologies and pathways, including geospatial analysis 5. Provision of analysis on the potential for district heating in Ireland. Develop methodology for local authorities to map heat demand and develop feasibility assessments of district heating opportunities. Provision of advice on emerging EU legislation on the rules and supports relating to co-generation and CHP. 6. To provide policy analytical support for decarbonised heat policy and technologies, relevant EU directives, national legislation and supports. Technology areas include but not limited to: Bioenergy, Ambient heat (Heat pumps), Solar, Carbon capture and storage, Geothermal, District Heat, Hydrogen) 7. To provide analytical support for emerging technology areas, including geospatial analysis 8. Conducting analysis and the provision of advice on market development aspects including certification schemes, supply chains analysis, business models, implementation frameworks for local authorities, other energy system linkages and dependencies, impacts of EU directives and legislation on price, availability and potential to delivery technology targets. SEAI do not require tenderers to be proficient in all of the above topics or associated key skills/knowledge, but they should clearly indicate relative strengths/weaknesses and suitability of each task/field indicated. Key skills/knowledge: Economic and financial analysis, techno-specific assessment methodologies and techniques, socio-economic assessment methodologies and techniques, innovative policy assessment techniques, environmental policy-oriented research, life cycle assessment expertise and detailed knowledge of current and proposed EU legislation on sustainability. Lot 9: Provision of Support to Public and Professional Bodies (in developing and adopting SEAI Best Practic SEAI will draw upon the specialists in electricity system development, wind energy integration, energy systems coupling, geospatial analysis informing sustainable energy policy and environmental (impact) assessment to undertake several diverse tasks to include the following: 1. Executing analysis in and developing models of the electricity system and market, renewable electricity and the coupled national energy systems; 2. Executing geospatial and techno-economic analysis of facets of the future electricity system and coupled energy system to support developing insights and policy on the future decarbonised energy system; 3. Providing analysis on smart grid technologies and their potential impact on the future renewable energy 4. Developing GIS tools for renewable electricity and other electricity system analysis to complement the existing SEAI Energy GIS suite; 5. Developing discrete training course modules on renewable and other energy analysis tools and methods for delivery to public bodies and in particular local authorities; 6. Delivering the above training course modules at suitable countrywide venues. These may take place in countrywide venues at CPD events organized in conjunction with relevant professional bodies; and 7. Providing support to public bodies in the application of SEAI methods, models, data and software. This may involve a combination of review of background data and meetings with the public bodies in question; 8. Executing socio-economic analysis of the impact of government policy on community measures for renewable energy developments upon the acceptance of such development; 9. Analysis of the environmental impact of renewable energy development. SEAI do not require tenderers to be proficient in all of the above topics or associated key skills/knowledge, but they should clearly indicate relative strengths/weaknesses and suitability of each task/field indicated. Key skills/knowledge: Insight of and expertise in electricity system and market analysis, smart grids and renewable energy technologies, policies and trends and of technical, environmental, planning and social issues that must be engaged with to assist the deployment of these. Lot 10: Offshore renewables policy and research support SEAI will draw upon the appointed experts to undertake several diverse tasks to include (but not limited to) the following: 1. Analytical support on the potential, technical capabilities and cost of emerging offshore renewable energy technologies and pathways, including geospatial and geotechnical analysis. 2. Enhancement of existing SEAI energy models, modelling methodologies, data sources and development of bespoke energy models and provision of technical analysis for informing offshore renewable energy policy supports. 3. Policy research (including reviews of published literature and provision of expertise) with a focus on driving uptake offshore renewable energy technologies, including provision of advice on existing and emerging global, EU and Irish legislation and providing strategic expertise to inform design of energy policy supporting offshore renewable energy. 4. Executing geospatial and techno-economic analysis of facets of the future offshore renewable energy sector and coupled energy system to support developing insights and policy on the future role of offshore renewables in the decarbonised energy system. 5. Conduct ex-ante appraisal (Cost-benefit analysis , multi-criteria analysis, financial appraisal, economic appraisal, demand analysis, sensitivity and scenario analysis) on the impact of offshore renewable energy policies and measures on a range of energy sector stakeholders. 6. Provision of analytical and/or strategic expertise pertinent to the assessment of solutions that enable technical and other barriers to market uptake to be overcome. 7. Provision of analytical support related to the establishment of offshore renewable energy supply chains. 8. Provision of advice on business models - conventional, community, group or other - for offshore renewable energy development (including project finance, innovative finance mechanisms, and financial instruments for supporting individual and community developments) and on the consenting context for projects. 9. Executing socio-economic analysis of the impact of government policy on community measures for offshore renewable energy developments upon the acceptance of such development. 10. Analysis of the environmental impact of offshore renewable energy development. SEAI do not require tenderers to be proficient in all of the above topics or associated key skills/knowledge, but they should clearly indicate relative strengths/weaknesses and suitability of each task/field indicated. Key skills/knowledge: Offshore renewable technologies, economic and financial analysis, techno-specific and socio-economic assessment methodologies and techniques, innovative policy assessment techniques, geotechnical and geospatial analysis, environmental analysis.