Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the SECAS Newsletter.
In this week’s newsletter, find out about what’s new with CodeWorks, how to join the Small Supplier engagement call, share your feedback in our Customer Satisfaction Survey, and even win an Amazon Echo Dot!
Last night, a number of SECAS and Sub-Committee Members attended Gemserv’s Spotlight event, a talent show fundraiser supporting the worthy cause that is the Alzheimer’s Society. We would like to say a big well done to the winner: SECAS’ Connie Muir who bravely sang in the talent show and entertained us all!
Calling all Small Suppliers
If you are a Small Supplier, you are encouraged to join the monthly Small Supplier engagement call. You will hear about important updates that affect you, from your SEC Panel representatives Karen Lee and Mike Gibson, and other key stakeholders such as the DCC and Alt HAN Co.
The call takes place every month in the week following the SEC Panel meeting. If you don’t have the invitation in your calendar, please contact our Helpdesk. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your say!
Register for CodeWorks – win an Echo Dot!
There is still time to win an Echo Dot! SEC Parties who register for CodeWorks by 6 March 2020 will be entered into a prize draw, where one lucky winner will win an Echo Dot, or an equivalent cash donation to a charity of your choice.
We want to make your compliance and regulatory lives simpler, and we believe that CodeWorks holds the answer. If you haven’t already registered for CodeWorks, click here to discover the functionality it offers, and enter the prize draw. Good luck!
CodeWorks Phase 3
Work is well underway for the next exciting CodeWorks phase! We are uploading the Security Controls Framework (SCF), Privacy Controls Framework (PCF) and Agreed Interpretations (AIs) onto the platform. These features are due to go live next month. Keep your eyes peeled for information about the launch!
Participate in the SECAS Customer Satisfaction Survey
It’s time for SEC Parties to have your say about your experience of our SECAS service. You will recently have received an invitation requesting your consent to participate in our annual Customer Satisfaction Survey.
We welcome your thoughts, feedback and participation; your views will directly influence our services and how we support you as a SEC Party and the survey will only take 30 minutes to complete. To participate, please respond to the email invitation from the SECAS Helpdesk indicating your consent by close on 6 March 2020.
Preparing for the release of the Alt HAN Co Supplier Contract
The Alt HAN Co Supplier Contract will be released for accession by the end of Quarter 1 2020. The contract details the services available to Suppliers from Alt HAN Co and sub-contractors. Acceding to the Supplier Contract enables Suppliers to gain access to Operational services.
Further information on the Supplier Contract will be provided at the Intro to SEC event on 10 March 2020. A Supplier Contract Project Representative will also be available to answer any questions.
For more information on the Supplier Contract and how to accede please contact Secretariat@althanco.com.
New Draft Proposals
The following Draft Proposals are new issues recently raised that the Proposers believe need to be addressed. Please contact our Change Management team with any feedback.
| Draft Proposal | Issue highlighted |
| DP116 ‘Service Request Forecasting’ | The DCC would like to remove the obligation for Users to provide Service Request forecasts in favour of a new methodology which promises a higher level of accuracy.
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| DP 117 ‘Bulk CF returns’ | Users would like to have the ability to request Communication Hub returns in bulk rather than per individual Device.
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February 2020 SEC Release implemented
Under the February 2020 release, an updated version of the SEC came into effect on 27 February 2020 to implement three modifications. For more details please see the February 2020 SEC Release webpage.
BEIS Publications
BEIS has issued a consultation on the date on which to incorporate a new version of Appendix AL ‘SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document’ (TMAD) into the Smart Energy Code. BEIS is proposing that TMAD is re-designated on 13 March 2020.
This is to support the enrolment of first-generation Smart Meter Devices in the national Smart Meter communications network managed by the DCC. Please respond to BEIS by 6 March 2020.
BEIS has approved the addition of the next Device Model Combinations (DMCs) to the SMETS1 Eligible Product Combination List (EPCL). This includes the addition of the first Active installations to the EPCL for DMCs relating to Elster meters. The EPCL is available here on the SEC website.
DCC publications
The DCC is consulting on the Testing Approach Document for the June 2020 SEC Release, which sets out the following:
• The testing objective;
• The testing strategy that will be followed;
• User testing, along with how DCC shall support Users to undertake testing; and
• Costs and risks in business terms.
The consultation closes on 2 March 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).
| Date | Meeting, Event or Deadline |
| 3 March | Operations Group Meeting 30 |
| 4 March | Monthly Working Group meeting – March 2020 |
| 5 March | Technical Architecture and Business Architecture Sub-Committee Meeting 51 |
| 5 March | Teleconference on Draft DCC Operations Metrics Review report |
| 6 March | Draft DCC Operations Metrics Review report open for comment |
| 6 March | SEC Panel Meeting 77X |
| 10 March | Introduction to the Smart Energy Code |
| 11 March | Security Sub-Committee Meeting 96 |
| 13 March | SEC Panel Meeting 78 |
| 17 March | Smart Metering Key Infrastructure Policy Management Policy Meeting 67 |
| 23 March | Operations Group Meeting 30x |
| 25 March | Change Board Meeting 40 |
| 25 March | Security Sub-Committee Meeting 97 |
| 25 March | Testing Advisory Group Meeting 65 |
| 31 March | Change Sub-Committee 13 |