The ENA Low Carbon Networks Fund Portal- Background on Ofgem Low Carbon Networks Fund
- The purpose of this web portal
- Quick Start Guide
1. Background on Ofgem Low Carbon Networks Fund
As part of the new price control arrangements that run from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2015, Ofgem has set up a Low Carbon Networks (LCN) Fund. The Fund allows up to £500m support to projects sponsored by the distribution network operators (DNOs) to try out new technology , operating and commercial arrangements. The objective of the projects is to help all DNOs understand what they need to do to provide security of supply at value for money as Great Britain (GB) moves to a low carbon economy. Ofgem expect that many projects receiving support from the Fund will involve the DNOs partnering with suppliers, generators, technology providers and other parties to explore how networks can facilitate the take up of low carbon and energy saving initiatives such as electric vehicles, heat pumps, micro and local generation and demand side management, as well as investigating the opportunities that smart meter roll out provide to network companies. As such the Fund should also provide valuable learning for the wider energy industry and other parties.
The regulation, governance and administration of the LCN Fund is set out in the LCN Fund Governance Document. Version 3 of this document was published on 22 July 2010, and is available to view via the following hyperlink:
LCN Fund Governance Document version 3 (22nd July 2010)
Covering letter to the Low Carbon Networks Fund Governance Document v.3 (22nd July 2010)
The Governance Document includes key information that projects must meet on –
- eligibility criteria,
- funding boundaries and
- Intellectual Property Rights
2. The purpose of this web portal
At the core of the LCN Fund are –
- identification of appropriate technologies to meet project needs
- identification of external parties who can address those needs
- establishment of communication between DNOs and external parties to facilitate development of viable LCN projects
The purpose of this web portal is to provide a common point of reference for use –
- by DNOs to post expressions of interest in relation to particular topics, inviting providers to make contact with them.
- To provide the facility for providers to enter their names and contact details
- By Providers to post brief information of specific product / service areas they wish to offer and which meet LCN Fund eligibility criteria
- To automatically e-mail alert nominated contacts within DNOs to the inclusion of new entries by Providers
- To automatically e-mail a nominated contact in Providers organisation with the detail of any new DNO expression of interest
IMPORTANT NOTE - Use of this web portal does not replace normal Procurement arrangements such as Achilles, EU Procurement regime such as use of Official Journal. It is to facilitate targeted contact between relevant parties concerned with LCN Fund; Procurement actions follow this.
3. Quick Start Guide
The LCN Fund Website provides a portal to facilitate contact between DNOs and manufacturers, service, research and solution providers (vendors) in order to encourage collaboration on projects eligible for LCN Funding as detailed in the Ofgem LCN Fund Guidance Documentation. As such it is built for the benefit of two types of user:
- DNO users
- Vendor users
1. DNO Users
DNO are granted access by system administrators at the ENA who will provide a password, which is used with your email address to login. If you require access, please use the Contact Us facility to request it. Once logged in, the login panel is replaced with a menu, which gives access to the various pages of the site. At the same time as creating your login, system administrators will normally set up DNO users to receive email notification of proposals submitted by vendors although this is not obligatory.
Once logged in; DNO users can -
DNO users can also view Invitations to Express Interest submitted by other DNOs.
2. Vendor Users
Vendor users of a company/organisation not already registered on the site must first self-register their company and, simultaneously, themselves on the site HERE. During registration the vendor user will create a password, which they will use with their email address to login on future occasions. Once logged in, a menu will appear in place of the login boxes giving access to the various facilities open to vendors. At the administrator’s discretion, additional users from a registered vendor company/organisation can be given access but this must be requested via the Contact Us. Vendor contacts can specify whether they wish to receive email notification of DNO Invitations To Express Interest when registering.
Once logged in; vendor users can -
Vendor users also have access to the vendor directory and proposals submitted by other vendor organisation/companies.
On web forms, each field has a tooltip that is displayed when the cursor hovers on the field or its label. In addition, help is available by clicking the Page HELP links on each page. Please use the Contact Us facility to let us know if you experience any problems, require assistance or for any other reason.