The Smart Energy Code (SEC) Panel has been requested by DESNZ to provide a recommendation to the Data Communication Company (DCC) on whether, or not, the new GBCS 4.1 compliant firmware, for the Toshiba Comms Hub, can be put operationally live without any significant detrimental impact on the existing SEC Services. The TAG has confirmed that the entry and exit criteria have been met for each of the DCC’s completion reports in relation to the relevant testing phases for the SEC Service impacting elements of the GBCS 4.1 programme for the Toshiba Comms Hub.
The TAG and OPSG reviewed the Live Services Criteria submission and assessed the criteria relevant to each of the groups and accepted the DCC statement of readiness, all Live Services Criteria were classified as green, with the following noted against Live Services Criteria 3 and 8; the DCC statement of readiness was accepted but it was noted that the LSC’s should be more fully met during the Over the Air (OTA) pilot and Initial Pallet Validation (IPV) Phase.
The SEC Panel recommended that the new capability introduced under the SEC by the GBCS 4.1 Programme can proceed to the initial pilot phase of live operation for the Toshiba Comms Hub. CPA approval was granted, and new firmware entries were added to the Central Products List (CPL) on 6 June 2023.
The initial go live commenced on 6 June 2023, which was a pilot project to deliver OTA firmware upgrades to a small number of both production Comms Hubs in consumer premises, and refurbished Comms Hubs with the new firmware for use in an IPV phase. The IPV phase involves Energy Suppliers performing a limited number of SMETS2 installations using the IPV Comms Hubs; monitoring their performance during the IPV period to confirm satisfactory operation prior to mass manufacture.
The Letter to the DCC and appendix containing an overview of the Panel’s considerations and recommendation from the SEC Panel Chair, Angela Love, can be found here:
SEC Panel letter of recommendation DCC LSC GBCS 4.1 Toshiba Release
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Please contact SECAS on SECAS@Gemserv.com if you have any questions.
LSC 3 – The DCC has proven that the new services can be operated alongside, and integrated with, the existing services.
LSC 8 – The DCC has demonstrated there will be no detrimental impact on consumers’ experience.