Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the SEC Newsletter.
Would you like to put your questions to the SEC Panel, the group that meets monthly on your behalf to agree industry decisions? Read this edition to find out how you can do just that by joining our annual SEC Panel Q&A webinar. Read on to also learn how to access the presentation recordings from our recent Enrolment & Adoption webinar and how to submit your nominations for the Security Sub-Committee (SSC) elections. We hope you enjoy this edition.
Join the Annual SEC Panel Q&A webinar: 16 July 9:30am
SEC Parties are invited to join the Annual SEC Panel Q&A webinar on 16 July 2021 9.30 – 10.20am. This is your opportunity to put your questions to the SEC Panel and Sub-Committee Independent Chairs. You will hear from Peter Davies, the SEC Panel Chair, who will present highlights from the previous regulatory year, and the Panel’s view of the main challenges and forward look for the year ahead. To register, click here. Already have a question? Please email your questions to the SECAS Helpdesk by 5pm on 2 July 2021.
Watch the ‘Enrolment and Adoption: what you need to know’ webinar
Thank you to all those who attended the SMETS1 Enrolment & Adoption webinar on 24 June 2021. Over 50 attendees joined to learn about the E&A programme, with presentations from the DCC and BEIS. Thank you to all the attendees who asked questions and provided feedback. It was fantastic to learn that the webinar had met your expectations. SEC Parties can log in to view the presentation slides and video recordings of the webinar here.
You are encouraged to share topics you’d like to hear at future webinars. What challenges are you facing? What subjects would you like to learn about? Please email the SECAS Helpdesk.
Join the DCC webinar: Network Evolution Communications Hub Transition Approach
The DCC invites its Customers to join a webinar at 12:30 – 15:30 on 15 July 2021 to learn about their proposal for the Communications Hub Transition Approach for the Communications Hub and Networks Programme which is being developed. The purpose of the session is to ensure DCC Customers understand the proposal and to gather the insight from Customers to take into successful transition planning.
You will have the opportunity to provide input on the Transition Plan and activities, which will ensure that the DCC builds a plan that serves customer interest. Attendees will also be able to ask the DCC questions and provide feedback. To register your interest, please email customerengagement@smartdcc.co.uk.
Decreased testing fees for the Smart Meter Device Assurance (SMDA)
Following the approval of SMDA SEC Modification MP111, the SMDA Scheme is transitioning into the SEC. The SMDA is pleased to announce that they have substantially decreased their testing fees, which now have different rates for SEC Parties and non-SEC Parties. For more information on the SMDA Scheme and their current testing rates, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact the SMDA.
Access the updated ENA EREC-M31 and ENA GER3 documents
You can download the latest versions of the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Engineering Recommendation (EREC) M31 and the Gas Engineering Recommendation (GER3) documents here once you have logged in. These are designed to assist Suppliers to identify which Certificates should be used when commissioning a Smart Meter.
Updates include:
- GER3 – Credentials added for Murphy Gas Networks Limited.
- EREC M31 – Credentials added for Fulcrum Electricity Assets Limited, Leep Electricity Networks Limited, Energy Assets Pipelines Limited, Eclipse Power Limited and Murphy Power Distribution Limited.
Digitisation of Elections and Security Sub-Committee (SSC) Call for Nominations
Throughout the year SECAS holds elections for the SEC Panel and its Sub-Committees, where SEC Parties are invited to nominate someone, or themselves, for their Party Category seat. It is a great opportunity to contribute to and influence SEC governance, and to represent the interests of your Party Category. We have now digitised the election process so that it is even easier for SEC Parties to get involved. Instead of filling out paper forms, you can now make your nominations via our online form here.
The Security Sub-Committee (SSC) elections open on Friday 2 July 2021, with nominations closing at 5pm on 23 July 2021. You do not have to be a SEC Party to run, but you do need to be nominated by a SEC Party. The Party Categories for the SSC election are:
- Three Large Suppliers
- One Small Supplier
- One Other SEC Party / Other User
SEC Parties will receive an email from SECAS with more information. If you have any questions, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.
New Draft Proposals
Six new Draft Proposals have been raised since the last Newsletter. You are invited to provide feedback to help us understand whether the issue affects your Party. Please contact the Change Team to share your views.
DP170 ‘Firmware updates to Point to Point Alt HAN Devices’
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The Alternative Home Area Network (Alt HAN) is being developed to address situations where one, or both, of the Gas Meter or In Home Display (IHD) are out of range, using Point to Point (P2P) Alt HAN Devices. Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates are used to deploy updates that either fix faults or provide new functionality to certain Devices. The SEC facilitates OTA firmware updates to meters and the Gas Proxy Function (GPF) which is part of the Communications Hub. It also supports OTA updates for Devices like Prepayment Meter Interface Devices (PPMIDs) and HAN Connected Auxiliary Load Control Switches (HCALCS) but not for P2P Alt HAN Devices. This means any new functionality developed to deploy security updates or improve the service to consumers can only be deployed on site. The result is higher costs, longer timescales, and more inconvenience to the consumer than if an OTA firmware update could fix the issue.
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DP171 ‘Undertaking a FUSA without a Supply Licence’
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Following changes to licencing arrangements in 2020, prospective market entrants obtain their Supply Licence later in the onboarding process. Without a Supply Licence, Suppliers cannot undertake a Full User Security Assessment (FUSA), which is required to become a DCC User. This may extend the time between gaining a licence and being able to install and support Smart Metering for consumers.
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DP172 ‘Reduced CPA & CPL requirements for innovation and Device field trials’ |
Currently, the requirements of the SEC are designed around the mass deployment of Devices and offer no leeway to support Minimum Viable Product (MVP) trials on the live DCC network. The biggest cost and risk blocker for the introduction of a new or modified Device type, or an innovative Device usage is the Commercial Product Assurance (CPA) arrangements.
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The Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) Policy Management Authority (PMA) has carried out a review of the SMKI and DCC Key Infrastructure (DCCKI) Document Sets as required by SEC Section L ‘Smart Metering Key Infrastructure and DCC Key Infrastructure’.
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DP174 ‘Changes to Electricity pricing limitations within DUIS’ |
This Modification seeks to change the value range restriction of the BlockPrice and TOU Price Data Items within the DCC User Interface Specification (DUIS) which is required to allow more accurate prices. This proposal seeks to increase the number of decimal places that can be used. It would have no impact on what prices can be set.
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DP175 ‘Alt HAN Inventory Information Sharing’
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Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and Meter Operators (MOPs) are often required to operate on electrical infrastructure, within Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs). MDUs are owned by Building Network Operators (BNOs). DNOs and MOPs are requesting the Alt HAN Company to share their inventory information, for the benefit of all Parties.
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June 2021 SEC Release
SEC Section 40.0 came into effect on 24 June 2021 to implement the June 2021 SEC Release. Click here to find more information on the Modification Proposals implemented, the affected SEC Sections and Appendixes, the legal text, and summaries of the changes. If you have any questions about the June 2021 SEC Release, please contact the Change Team.
Open Industry Consultations Webpage
Please visit our Open Industry Consultations webpage for details of consultations that may be of interest to SEC Parties. If you are aware of a consultation that should be added, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.
For other publications that may be of interest to you, please view the Operations Report in the June 2021 WHITE SEC Panel Meeting 93 Documentation. SEC Parties can also view the Transitional Governance Update (TGU) Paper in the June 2021 GREEN SEC Panel Meeting 93 Documentation.
Opportunity to share your feedback on DCC Customer Engagement
How has the DCC engaged with SEC Parties over the past regulatory year? SEC Parties are invited to share your views on this with Ofgem and SECAS. As part of the changes to the DCC Operational Performance Regime (OPR), Ofgem has asked the SEC Panel to provide an assessment on how well the DCC engaged during the 2020/21 Regulatory Year. You can find more information about the consultation here.
Please email your completed response form to SECAS@gemserv.com with the subject line ‘OPR – DCC Engagement Consultation’ by 5pm on 14 July 2021. If you have any questions, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.
SECAS Helpdesk
Please contact the SECAS Helpdesk with any questions and a member of the team will be happy to help. Helpdesk hours are Monday-Friday 9-5pm (excluding bank holidays).
Date | Meeting, Event or Deadline |
6 July | Operations Group Meeting 52 |
7 July | Monthly Working Group Meeting – July 2021 |
14 July | Smart Metering Key Infrastructure Policy Management Authority Meeting 83 |
14 July | Security Sub-Committee Meeting 127 |
14 July | Other SEC Parties Engagement Call |
16 July | Annual SEC Panel Q&A Webinar |
16 July | SEC Panel Meeting 94 |
21 July | Small Suppliers Engagement Call |
26 July | Operations Group Meeting 53 |
28 July | Testing Advisory Group Meeting 81 |
28 July | Security Sub-Committee Meeting 128 |
28 July | Change Board Meeting 56 |