SEC Newsletter 23 July 2020

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the newsletter.

Thank you to those who joined the Annual SEC Panel Q&A webinar on 17 July 2020. Read on to find out where you can watch the recording if you missed it and access the presentation slides. Ever considered becoming a SEC Panel Member? You can learn about the upcoming vacancies and how to nominate yourself or a colleague.

Also, find out about the SEC strategic plan, and updates on numerous modifications and publications. We hope that you enjoy this newsletter.

SEC Panel Q&A webinar – a great success

Thank you to all SEC Parties who attended the Annual SEC Panel Q&A webinar held on 17 July 2020.

Over 60 attendees joined, with many of you putting your questions to the SEC Panel. Your valuable feedback confirmed that your expectations were met, and we very much look forward to holding future webinars. SEC Parties can download the webinar slides and watch the recording here.

You can help shape our events programme for the year ahead. What topics do you want to hear and learn about? Are there challenges ahead that you need support with? Contact the SECAS Helpdesk to share your thoughts.

Strategic Plan

SEC Parties can now log in to view the latest version of the SEC Strategic Plan which identifies the priorities for the year ahead here. Priorities include the consequential changes that will be made to the SEC as a result of Ofgem’s new central energy switching service for consumers.

It also looks at the retirement of 2G/3G cellular networks, market wide half hourly settlement, meter splitting, the Retail Energy Code and much more. If you have any questions please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.

SEC Panel Elections Open – help shape the future of Smart Energy!

Would you like to have a direct say on industry matters and steer the future of Smart Energy? You can play an integral role in doing just that, by joining the SEC Panel. The elections take place in August 2020 for the seats of several Members whose terms conclude on 23 September 2020.

The SEC Panel manages and enforces the SEC efficiently and fairly, ensuring there is no discrimination between Parties. It meets once a month and considers recommendations from each of its Sub-Committees as the SEC decision-making body.

There are currently vacancies for one Large Supplier, one Small Supplier, one Electricity Network and one Other SEC Party. You can find out more, including the form you need to make your nomination, here.

Please contact the SECAS Helpdesk if you have any questions. The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 10 August 2020.

New Draft Proposals

The following Draft Proposals are new problems or issues recently raised that the Proposers believe need to be addressed:

Refinement Consultations

There are two SEC Modifications currently out for Refinement Consultation. SEC Parties are invited to respond to the Change Team. This is your chance to influence the solution.

• SECMP0067 ‘Service Request Traffic Management’ – This modification proposes a traffic management mechanism, as it was identified that the current system may be unable to send accidental or unanticipated large bursts of Service Requests. The current process penalises Users equally by reducing all Users Service Requests, not just those responsible for the overload. The deadline for responses is 3 August 2020.

• MP092 ‘New Planned Maintenance methodology’ – This modification proposes an enduring solution which the DCC trialled in April 2019 and reported successful in July 2020. The new approach identifies planned changes to the SEC as either low or high impact, based on a risk-based methodology. It also amended the timings when Planned Maintenance was scheduled and implemented. The deadline for responses is 7 August 2020.

Modification Report Consultations

There are two SEC Modifications currently out for Modification Report Consultation. SEC Parties are invited to respond to the Change Team by 7 August 2020. This is your final chance to share your feedback before the Change Board vote.

• MP131 ‘Default maximum demand configuration conflict’ – The implementation of SECMP0018 caused the Great Britain Companion Specifications (GBCS) Table to be in conflict with Electricity Network Association’s (ENA) required default configuration in the Technical Specifications. This Modification proposes that a correction is made to align these documents.

• MP133 ‘Consequential changes to SEC Section G’ – If a User is an Export Supplier or Registered Supplier Agent (RSA), SEC Section G does not apply except for the obligations listed under G1.7. The proposed solution is to add the “Shared Resources” role to Section G1.7.

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.

DCC Publications

The DCC has published the following:

• Consultation on the delivery plan for DCC Release 2.0 – This consultation seeks views on the plan which sets out when the outstanding elements of Service Release 2.0 will be met. This consultation closes on 30 July 2020.

• Changes to the Common Test Scenarios Document and Enduring Testing Approach Document November 2020 SEC Release – This consultation seeks views on the DCC’s proposed changes to the Common Test Scenarios Document (CTSD) and Enduring Testing Approach Document (ETAD) following the uplift to DCC User Interface Specification (DUIS) 4. This consultation closes on 5 August 2020.

• SMETS1 Consultation on the SMETS1 Public Key Infrastructure – This consultation seeks views on a proposed SMETS1 Service Provider Key Management (S1SPKM) Compliance Policy and S1SP Certification Policy for Middle Operating Capability Secure. This consultation closes on 14 August 2020.

BEIS Publications

BEIS has published the following:

• BEIS Consultation on Baseline Margin Project Performance Adjustment Scheme for ECoS – BEIS is consulting on proposals for a Baseline Margin Project Performance Adjustment (BMPPA) Scheme to be made under Schedule 1 of Condition 38 of the Smart Meter Communication Licence. This consultation closes on 14 August 2020.

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).