NMi, specialist in the certification of measuring and metering technologies, together with consortium partners Engage Consulting and SMS, have secured a contract from the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, funded by the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) for laboratory testing and demonstration of interoperable DSR applications.
NMi will develop conformance and performance laboratory testing schemes for Energy Smart Appliances (ESAs) based on existing Publicly Available Standards (PAS) 1878 and 1879. NMi will also provide assurance services in support of the testing.
This is the single largest contract to date for NMi and constitutes a significant step into the sustainable energy future. The project will enable UK testing of ESAs for use by the DSRSP (Demand Side Response Service Provider) to more dynamically monitor and control power flows across the network, thus decongesting transmission and distribution grids from peak loads and preventing network and generation outages.
Launched in September 2022, the project has two phases:
- Phase 1: 10-month timeframe to design the two schemes.
- Phase 2: 9-month window where SMS will oversee and assure physical testing, and NMi will provide test assurance.
Engage Consulting will manage the overall project. The consortium collectively provides three industry-leading and complementary organisations with the specialist skills, knowledge and experience required to deliver project success.
NMi’s Business Development Manager, Robbert Schirmer, says: “The viability of the energy transition depends on testing and conformity. These are the heart of our work here at NMi. We are confident in the expertise we bring to the project to ensure it delivers on its goals. Together with Engage Consulting and SMS, we are helping to move the needle on the UK Government’s target of hitting net zero by 2050. We look forward to using the knowledge and experience we will acquire to offer similar services to manufacturers and system developers operating in Europe.”
“This contract from the UK Government is NMi’s largest ever. Our presence in the UK is expanding – as reflected by our acquisitions of Young Calibration and Chamois Metrology – and our work with BEIS demonstrates our growing profile in the country. We are excited to continue exploring strategic opportunities with BEIS in the future.”
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