DB Energie operates the energy infrastructure of Deutsche Bahn. This is largely determined by the electrical power supply for train operation. To this end, DB Energie operates a transmission network at the high-voltage level (110 kV, 16.7 Hz) for the nationwide distribution of electrical energy, the coordination and monitoring of which is ensured by the main control center (HSL). In addition, large stretches of Deutsche Bahn's long-distance rail services are electrically operated. For this purpose, seven central switching stations have been installed throughout Germany for monitoring and controlling the overhead lines (15 kV, 16.7 Hz). These are currently being used together with the network control systems of the busbar-guided

S-Bahn trains in Berlin and Hamburg have been transferred to a central interconnected control system (VLS). The superordinate distribution network of Deutsche Bahn (110kV/16.7Hz grid) consists of approx. 16,000 km of traction power lines, almost 200 high-voltage switchgears and approx. 50 generating units of various types that generate the traction current and feed it into the grid. DB Energie currently operates a network control system in its main control centre (HSL) for the operational management of this network. It is a multi-redundant SCADA system with network analysis and optimisation tools for the use of generators as well as a separate grid controller to maintain frequency stability and handle the interconnected operation with ÖBB and SBB.

The network control system consists of several components. These include:

• process connection, which implements data exchange with substations in the network,

• a database that holds the data model of the traction power network,

• a data warehouse, in which mass data from the network is stored and prepared and stored for various applications in the control center and other organizational units,

• several functional modules for operational management tasks and, finally,

• a large number of control station computers on which the operators carry out their tasks.

Due to age-related dependency and adaptation to new regulatory requirements (unbundling), this control system must be replaced and approved by the end of 2026. At the same time, HSL is also planning a new location concept in which the main location will move to a new building. Completion of the building is scheduled for mid-2025.

In the run-up to this design planning, DB Energie GmbH therefore decided to carry out the necessary renewal of the HSL as part of a Europe-wide tender as part of a preliminary design plan.

The client is classified as a critical infrastructure company (KRITIS) within the meaning of EU Directive 2008/114 / EC. KRITIS companies are of great importance for the state community, whose failure or impairment can lead to lasting supply bottlenecks or significant disruptions to public safety. For this reason, the client invokes his right (§§ 5, 41 VgV) to request the submission of a signed confidentiality agreement before issuing the complete order documents in order to be able to guarantee the protection of the confidentiality of security-critical information in the context of the procurement procedure.

For this reason, only the restricted contract documents will be made available to the tenderer following its expression of interest on the procurement platform.

Upon completion of the competition and submission of the signed confidentiality agreement attached under Form 9 to the contracting authority, the complete contract documents will be made available to the suitable competitor on the award platform.

The contract documents are available free of charge for unrestricted and complete direct access via Deutsche Bahn AG's e-procurement system.

The offer includes the supply of the software and hardware for the network control system for the grid operation of the main control center of DB Energie GmbH, the detailed specification in the form of a functional specification for the project-specific configurations and adaptations, the configuration and adaptation of the software to the customer-specific requirements, the support in testing and commissioning of all functions necessary to fulfill the task, the commissioning of the system including documentation and training of the client's personnel as well as a service contract.

The new network control system for the main control center is to be completely built by the bidder and created in German.

Functionally, the following main requirements are set:

• Basic SCADA functions (basic processing, archiving and visualization of network status) including process connection and data management

• Fahrplanverwaltung

• Additional external archiving and network database via a data warehouse system that is also to be implemented

• Higher-value functions for optimized network and system management (e.g. state estimation with power flow calculation, failure variant calculation and optimal power flow)

• Störungsanalysefunktionen

• Planned value-based process analysis including forecasts, time series and network model management as well as bottleneck management

• Connection of an external network controller Further processing of incoming data

• Trainingsfunktionalität

The system must be designed to be fully redundant at both the main and reserve locations and must be state-of-the-art in terms of performance, availability, IT security and connectivity.

Services required for project implementation and system implementation include:

• project management

• System analysis/functional specification

• Data modeling, parameterization and image generation

• Delivery, installation, commissioning, trial operation and acceptance

• Quality assurance and tests (factory function test (FAT) and commissioning test (SAT))

• Training for operating personnel and data and system administration

• Complete documentation

• Planning and execution of the interfaces to the building services (an on-site visit is recommended for the preparation of an offer)

A service contract must also be offered.