SEC Newsletter 15 April 2021

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the SEC newsletter.

Read this edition to find out how SEC Parties can influence the efficiency and role of SECAS by taking part in the Ofgem Code Administration Performance Cross Code Survey, plus where to find our updated Guidance Notes designed to help Parties understand the SEC processes in plain English. Read on to also learn about the upcoming DCC Data Service Platform online workshops and a new Draft Proposal.

 

Opportunities to join the SECAS Team

If you or your colleagues have a good understanding of the Great British (GB) Smart Metering arrangements and are considering the next step in your career, you may be interested in the following roles:

  • Technical Operations SEC Consultant – Do you have a background in Smart Metering and a solid understanding of the technical architecture underpinning GB Smart Metering? Are you proactive in identifying client requirements and have excellent planning and organisational skills? To find out more about this role, please click here.

 

  • Smart Energy Business Analyst – Are you highly organised, able to proactively research the background to an issue, identify the root cause of problems and appropriate solutions, and able to translate technical information into Plain English? To find out more about this role and apply to join the Change Team, please click here.

 

Have your say in the 2021 Ofgem Cross-Code Administration Performance Survey

How do you think SECAS is performing? Are there areas you think we could improve?

Thank you to all the SEC Parties who have already opted in to participate in the 2021 Ofgem Cross-Code Administration Performance Survey specifically in relation to the SEC. If you wish to participate and haven’t already opted in, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk by 5pm on 4 May 2021. For more information, please click here.

 

Plain English Guidance Notes designed to help you

To help you follow SEC processes and comply with the SEC, you can view our newly updated Guidance Notes here. Following feedback from SEC Parties, these updates have been made to ensure the guidance is up to date and written using concise plain English. If you have any questions, or are aware of any processes where you believe further guidance would be useful, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.

 

Invitation to join Online Workshops: The future of Data Service Platform

SEC Parties are invited to join two Data Service Platform (DSP) online workshops, hosted by the DCC, on 10 and 17 May 2021. The objective is to ensure that DCC Users can help shape the future DSP and provide input on programme delivery.

This is an opportunity for you to help guide the DCC’s future investments in the technology and the network. Your insight will directly shape the high-level requirements that will be built into the Strategic Outline Business Case.

The DCC is keen for innovators, technical, security and data subject matter experts to be involved in the workshops. You must be able to attend both workshops. To register your interest, please email customerengagement@smartdcc.co.uk.

 

Reminder: Respond to the TABASC Effectiveness Review Questionnaire

Thank you to those who have already taken part in the Technical Architecture and Business Architecture Sub-Committee (TABASC) Effectiveness Review questionnaire. There is still time for SEC Parties to participate if you haven’t already. Your input will provide valuable insight into the specific aspects of live operations affecting your User experience with End-to-End processes. This includes those managed and provided by the DCC. Responses are limited to one per SEC Party.

 

You can access the Questionnaire here, and can find more information here. The deadline for responses is 5pm on 26 April 2021. If you have any questions, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.

 

Ad Hoc Release for MP148 ‘IVP Extension for pre-SMETS2 v4.2 Devices’

An updated version of the SEC will come into effect on 23 April 2021 to implement MP148 ‘IVP Extension for pre-SMETS2 v4.2 Devices’. The implemented solution will extend the Installation Validity Period (IVP) end-date for any pre-Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS)2 v4.2 Devices from the current date of 27 April 2021 to 27 April 2022. This will allow Supplier Parties and Device Manufacturers to avoid significant financial costs that would be incurred if the existing IVP end-date remains.

 

SEC Schedule 11 ‘Technical Specification Applicability Tables’ will be affected. You can view the changes that will be made here. For further information, click here. If you have any questions, please contact the SEC Change Team.

 

New Draft Proposal

There has been one new Draft Proposal raised since the last Newsletter:

 

 

 

DP159 ‘Credit Cover Review’

 

 

 

 

 

The DCC and SEC Panel have reviewed SEC Section J3 ‘Credit Cover’ and have identified several areas that would benefit from further clarification. There has been some misinterpretation of the current SEC legal text outlining the Credit Cover processes, which has led to an increased risk of cost socialisation. The DCC and SEC Panel propose to update the Credit Cover processes to clarify the obligations on Parties, reduce the opportunity for misinterpretation and address inefficiencies.

 

Modcasts

You can listen to our latest Modcast here, where we talk through the SEC Panel outcomes and planned Change Board items, the issued consultations above and the items taken to the Change Sub-Committee last month. New Modcasts are released monthly on the Change Reporting webpage.

 

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 April 2021 WHITE SEC Panel Meeting 91 Documentation. SEC Parties can also view the Transitional Governance Update (TGU) Paper in the April 2021 GREEN SEC Panel Meeting 91 Documentation.

 

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  
16 April  SEC Panel Meeting 91 
20 April  Smart Metering Key Infrastructure Policy Management Authority Meeting 80 
21 April  Change Board Meeting 53 
21 April  Small Suppliers Engagement Call 
26 April  Operations Group Meeting 47 
28 April  Testing Advisory Group Meeting 78 
28 April  Other SEC Party Issues Awareness Call 
28 April  Security Sub-Committee Meeting 122 
4 May  Operations Group Meeting 48 
5 May  Monthly Working Group Meeting – May 2021 
6 May  Technical Architecture and Business Architecture Sub-Committee Meeting 65 
12 May  Security Sub-Committee Meeting 123 
12 May  Other SEC Parties Engagement Call 
14 May  SEC Panel Meeting 92 
18 May  Smart Metering Key Infrastructure Policy Management Authority Meeting 81 
19 May  Small Suppliers Engagement Call