Low Voltage Distribution System Analysis Tool

Description

Northern Powergrid intends to award a contract the provision of a Low Voltage Distribution System Analysis Tool. The requirement is to replace existing low voltage network assessment methods with a digital tool that can reduce the time required (and therefore resource and cost) for studies, whilst also improving the accuracy, quality and consistency of the studies undertaken. Lot 1: The tool is required to provide the below functionality: • Be cloud hosted and expandable, future phases of this tool will be used to address new business requirements. • Allow system designs and planning for low voltage networks (voltage up to and including 1000 V, which includes primarily underground cables and overhead lines rated at 400 V) • Able to import network data and display on a geographic map background – noting that this import and modelling consist of millions of nodes and millions of branches. It must also allow the user to enter network components such as busbars, loads and cables as schematic symbols or directly onto a map or building layout drawing. • Able to assess all low voltage networks including three-phase, split-phase and single-phase with an option for three-phase connections to be balanced or unbalanced. The phasing of the network should be easily identifiable by the user. • Provide assessment for the following modules; thermal studies, voltage drop/rise, fault level, flicker, motor studies, cable sizing and LV fuse sizing. • Use UK industry standard statistical calculations (i.e., ACE 49) to analyse aggregated demand taking in account of customer profiles. • Provide the capability to assign an MPAN class/Elexon profile for each customer, modelling both a winter peak scenario and summer minimum scenario. • Allow single line diagram view to visualise, model and analyse the low voltage networks. • Ability to add LCTs (i.e. HP, EV & PV) onto an existing or new connection with the option to amend the diversified demand values for the additional equipment. • Allow distributed connections along the same conductor. • Ability to upgrade transformers and LV cables if asset replacement work is required as part of a reinforcement or a new demand/generation scheme. • Ability to highlight and override any data issues which may affect the network assessment being complete. • The technical results must be available in a report style format which can be downloaded in both a PDF and excel (XLS) formats.