Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the newsletter.
In this edition you will find out how you can attend our upcoming series of ‘Spotlight on the SEC’ webinars, including ‘CodeWorks: The SEC at your fingertips’, ‘Alt HAN Co – Maintaining Progress in 2020’ and ‘Validating your Security Assessment in 2020 and Beyond’.
Have you ever considered becoming an Operations Group Member? Read on to learn about the upcoming vacancies and how to nominate yourself or a colleague. As always, read on to find out about various modifications and publications, and how you can listen to our newest Modcast. We hope that you enjoy this newsletter.
September 2020 Webinars
SEC Parties are invited to join our upcoming webinars to hear updates on SEC activity and to stay informed about the latest developments. To register, please use the links below:
- CodeWorks: The SEC at your fingertips: 8 September at 2:00pm. Learn how you can benefit from the CodeWorks platform: why you need it, how to use it, future developments, and how your input matters! If you haven’t yet signed up to CodeWorks, please do so here.
- Alt HAN Co – Maintaining Progress in 2020: 17 September at 2:00pm. The Alternative Home Area Network Company’s Managing Director, Paul Cooper, will be presenting an update informing you how Alt HAN Co has maintained progress in 2020 in light of Covid-19.
- Validating your Security Assessment in 2020 and Beyond: 22 September at 2:00pm. Security expert Kwadwo Anim-Appiah will provide you with a useful insight into the Validation Process for Security Assessments. You will learn about the key obligations that often trip up Users, and what to look out for in Management Responses to Observations raised.
We will be announcing future webinar dates soon, including ‘Introduction to the SEC’ and ‘Operational Metrics Review: What gets Measured gets Managed.’
If you have a question for the presenters, or a topic that you would like to learn about, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.
Operations Group Nominations – 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 nominating a candidate for the upcoming SEC Operations Group (OPSG) elections.
The OPSG meets twice a month and deals with the operational matters for services provided under the SEC, including DCC Services. It plays an important role to enable close co-operation between the DCC and DCC Users. The group focusses on cross-industry matters that affect, or have the potential to affect, multiple SEC Parties.
There are seven Large Supplier seats, two Small Supplier seats, one Gas Network seat and two Other SEC Party seats that are open for nomination, with the new term commencing on 16 October 2020. The deadline for nominations is 11 September 2020 at 5pm.
Please take a look at the Operations Group Terms of Reference v1.2 to learn more about the duties, and functions of the group. To nominate yourself or an individual, please fill in the Nomination Form for Operations Group Members and return it to the SECAS Helpdesk. For more information on the elections process please view the Operations Group Elections Fact sheet.
Make Your Vote Count: SEC Panel Elections – Voting Closing Soon
Voting is now open for two vacant seats on the SEC Panel. Small Supplier SEC Parties and Other SEC Parties are invited to vote for their preferred candidate to represent their Party. If you would like to have your say about the future of the SEC Panel, click here to find out more about the candidates and how to vote.
Voting closes at 5pm on 1 September 2020. If you have any questions, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.
New Draft Proposals
There have been three new Draft Proposals raised since the last Newsletter that the Proposers believe need to be addressed:
| Draft Proposal
|
Issue Highlighted by the Proposer
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| DP139 ‘MVP and IVP dates for CHTS’
|
There are three issues:
1. Communication Hub (CH) stock which is compliant to CHs Technical Specifications (CHTS) v1.0, Great Britain Companion Specification (GBCS) v1.0 and GBCS v1.1 are being held in volume by Suppliers and are unlikely to be installed before the Installation Validity Period (IVP) end date on 31 January 2021. 2. There are requirements to upgrade or replace installed CHs by 28 February 2021, the GBCS v2.0 Applicability Period End Date. 3. There are requirements to upgrade or replace installed CHs by 31 May 2021 which cannot be met.
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| DP140 ’CH Stock Transfer’ | Due to issues arising from COVID-19, there are SEC Parties who wish to transfer excess Communication Hub stock. The DCC has proposed that it should be possible for SEC Parties to send their excess stock to SEC Parties who are still making CH orders, rather than sending it to DCC as an unnecessary step.
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| DP141 ‘SRV Visibility for Devices on SSI’ | The SEC states that only an individual User can view the Service Request Variants and Service Responses they send or receive. This means that Supplier Parties cannot view these which causes a lack of visibility or information, potentially leading to issues that may be high priority or have security implications.
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Refinement Consultations
Two SEC Modifications are scheduled for Refinement Consultation. SEC Parties can respond by contacting the Change Team, by 7 September 2020. This is your chance to influence the solution.
- MP117 ‘Bulk Comms Hub returns’ – DCC Users need to send an individual Service Request to notify the DCC of each Communication Hub (CH) return. This can take a significant amount of time and effort when multiple CHs require return, which DCC Users have advised is not a sustainable approach. This modification will allow Users to return CHs in bulk.
- MP128 ‘Gas Network Operator SMKI Requirements’ – Gas Network Operators are required by the SEC to place their Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) Organisation Certificates in the SMKI Repository and to undertake SMKI & Repository Entry Process Tests. The Proposer believes this is an expensive process and provides no benefit to Gas Network Operators since they do not receive alerts. This modification seeks to provide Gas Network Parties the option to place their Organisation Certificate in the SMKI Repository.
Modification Report Consultations
There are two SEC Modifications scheduled for Modification Report Consultation. SEC Parties can respond by contacting the Change Team, by 7 September 2020. This is your final chance to share your feedback before the Change Board vote.
- SECMP0007 ‘Firmware updates to IHDs and PPMIDs’ – This modification proposes to amend the SEC and DCC Systems to include the capability to update firmware Over the Air (OTA) for Prepayment Meter Interface Devices (PPMIDs) and Home Area Networks (HAN) Connected Auxiliary Load Control Switches (HCALCS).
- MP102A ‘Power Outage Alerts triggered by an OTA firmware upgrade’ – Over the Air (OTA) firmware updates on some Electricity Smart Metering Equipment (ESMEs) generate a Power Outage Alert (POA). The Distribution network operator (DNO) is unable to establish whether there is a real issue. OTA firmware upgrades have been required to stop this happening, so an informal industry agreement was reached to agree that ESME manufacturers would ensure their Devices did not exhibit this behaviour. This proposal will deliver changes to the Technical Specifications to ensure this agreement is included in the SEC.
Modcasts
You can listen to our latest Modcast here, where you can learn about the latest updates on SEC Change! Modcasts are a great way to stay informed on a regular basis, and you can listen to new Modcasts here.
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:
- Temporary Communications Hub Ordering and Delivery Rules – Amendments are proposed to the Temporary Communications Hub Ordering and Delivery Rules (TCHODR). This consultation closes on 28 August 2020.
- Regulatory Changes for SMETS1 Uplift 1.2 – Changes are proposed to a number of SEC appendices (DUIS, SRPD, TMAD, and S1SR) regarding SMETS1 Uplift 1.2. This consultation closes on 3 September 2020.
- Further changes to the Migration Reporting Regime (MRR) for MOC (Secure) – Further changes are proposed to the Migration Reporting Regime (MRR) regarding Middle Operating Capability (MOC) (Secure). This consultation closes on 9 September 2020.
- Device Model Combination Tests (DMCT) Process Improvement – Consultation on proposed changes to the SEC Variation Testing Approach Document for SMETS1 Services (SMETS1 SVTAD) related to improvements in the DMCT Process. This consultation closes on 11 September 2020.
- SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document for Final Operating Capability – The DCC has issued a consultation on some changes to the SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document (TMAD) for Final Operating Capability (FOC). This consultation closes on 11 September 2020.
- Changes to the Migration Scaling Methodology – Changes are proposed to the Migration Scaling Methodology. This consultation closes on 18 September 2020.
- DCC Conclusion on the consultation to proposed changes to the DCC Performance Measurement Methodology – The DCC has provided a response to, and details of the next steps for this consultation.
- DCC response to consultation on the delivery plan for DCC Release 2.0 – This consultation closed on 30 July 2020. The DCC has submitted the Release 2.0 plan to the Secretary of State in accordance with Licence Condition 13.
- Conclusion to the consultation on proposed changes to the Self-Service Interface RSMI reporting – The DCC has provided a response to, and details of the next steps for this consultation.
Would you like to join the SECAS Team?
Do you have strong relationship management and written skills, the flexibility to manage changing and competing priorities, and a keen eye for detail? We are currently recruiting for a Party Engagement Consultant to join our team. For more information please visit the recruitment page here.
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 |
| 1 September | Operations Group Meeting 36 |
| 2 September | Monthly Working Group meeting – September 2020 |
| 3 September | Technical Architecture and Business Architecture Sub-Committee Meeting 57 |
| 9 September | Security Sub-Committee Meeting 108 |
| 9 September | Testing Advisory Group 70X Meeting |
| 11 September | SEC Panel Meeting 84 |
| 15 September | Smart Metering Key Infrastructure Policy Management Authority Meeting 73 |
| 17 September | Technical Architecture and Business Architecture Sub-Committee Meeting 57X |
| 23 September | Change Board Meeting 46 |
| 23 September | Security Sub-Committee Meeting 109 |
| 28 September | Operations Group Meeting 36x |
| 29 September | Change Sub-Committee 19 |
| 30 September | Testing Advisory Group Meeting 71 |