SBRI - Smart Meter load control device trial

The Invitation to Tender has been published for this opportunity. Please find at this link: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d7b9c187-6383-4833-a540-f3adb5544eee

This is a 2 stage SBRI. In phase 1, BEIS expect to fund up to 5 feasibility studies to scope a device and trial for a smart meter load control device, as well as giving detail on what functionality will be tested and in what context.

Phase 2 will involve selecting and contracting with 2 of the above studies/consortia who will each design, build, test, commercially product assure (CPA) and trial the devices, at a scale of around 100 homes, based on existing HCALCS specifications as described above.

HCALCS are specified in Smart Energy Code (Schedule 9) and there is existing functionality built into Data Communications Company (DCC) systems to support these devices, but no such devices have been built up to date. We are looking to procure design, build and trial of these first of the kind devices, to demonstrate load control using smart meter communications infrastructure to manage domestic electricity loads such as EVs.

The Consortiums applying for this SBRI must include an Electricity Supplier and a Meter and/or Charge Point Manufacturer, but could also include a DNO and other parties, such as EV manufacturers and aggregators.

Phase 1: Feasibility

Up to 5 contracts will be awarded to develop a feasibility study which will include device and trial designs, setting out what functionality will be tested, and which partners will be involved. After the feasibility stage there will be a gateway based on evaluation of feasibility studies, resulting in up to 2 contracts being awarded for full design build and trial.

Phase 2:

Full device design and build (up to 2):

Will involve design, build, testing and commercial product assurance of the device by up to 2 consortia.

Trial: Design trial, install devices, manage trial in homes, device removal, trial analysis and write up.

The trial should test the ability of smart meter comms infrastructure and connected device to:

Essential:

• manage load control of a domestic device such as an EV - i.e. moderate load in response to signals sent by the supplier.

The project will produce a 'specification scoping document' at the end of the trial, which will establish any missing use cases identified through the trial and provide a basis for development of a full new device specification by BEIS, with a view to this being adopted into the SEC.

The contracts will be managed by a contractor appointed by BEIS and delivery of products and services for each milestone will be managed and overseen by BEIS.

This contract is expected to run from January 2019 to March 2021 and the overall budget is expected to be up to ~£3 million.

Additional information: This notice is issued for the purposes of early market engagement. We intend to publish the Invitation to Tender and T&Cs, in early November.

If you wish to take part in the market engagement exercise or obtain further information on the project, please contact Mili Malic at address stipulated in the "Contact Details" section. We are planning to engage with different industry groups at meetings already scheduled for 17 and 22 October, but are also currently organising an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the project in more detail for October / early November 2018 prior to issuing the ITT.

The trial should test the ability of smart meter comms infrastructure and connected device to:

Essential:

• manage load control of a domestic device such as an EV - i.e. moderate load in response to signals sent by the supplier.

Desirable:

• enable frequency response functionality of the device or other functionality which could have utility electricity system balancing;
• demonstrate ability to respond to network work congestion issues indicated by a DNO override functionality which could be necessary for short periods in order to manage system critical network congestion;
• demonstrate interoperable GB wide functionality of the device in terms of being able to be managed by different load managers/suppliers.