Hello and welcome to this edition of the SEC newsletter. It has been a busy week for SECAS – we welcomed over 30 SEC Parties to our Introduction to the SEC event. Thank you to all those who attended, it was great to see you there and introduce you to the world of the Smart Energy Code!
Missed the event? You can access the presentations here. Our agenda was packed full and we heard from Smart Energy GB, the Smart Meter Device Assurance (SMDA) Scheme and the Alternative Home Area Network Arrangements (Alt HAN) as well as members of the SECAS team.
Read on for more important updates. Enjoy!
Your Opportunity to shape the Operational Metrics
Following SEC governance approval, SECAS has commenced a project to review and identify improvements in the set of operational metrics defined in the SEC.
If you are a DCC User, the project will rely upon your engagement to understand, identify, and take account of your priorities to ensure improvements to the metrics address and reflect the User’s business requirements. To find out more, click here.
A Reminder from the Security Sub-Committee on G3.20
Is your SEC Party a DCC User that wants to ensure compliance with your SEC Obligations G3.17 – G3.30? The obligations reference Manufacturers, and therefore if as a DCC User, you would like to make arrangements directly with a Manufacturer, you may do so.
Read our article here to find out how DCC Users can present a Letter of Intent or a Memorandum of Understanding with a MAP and/or a Meter Manufacturer in the interim before a full contract is signed.
SSC and SMKI PMA Standards Review update
The SSC and SMKI PMA Standards and Best Practice Reviews have been updated by SECAS and published on our website. Please find the SMKI PMA Standards Review here, and the SSC Standards Review here.
New Draft Proposals
Three new Draft Proposals have been raised since the last newsletter:
• DP091 ‘Updating Security Assurance Status’ looks to change the wording of two assurance statuses to provide to SEC Parties once their FUSA is completed.
• DP092 ‘New Planned Maintenance methodology’ is investigating the DCC’s new approach to the delivery of Planned Maintenance.
• DP093 ‘Implementing IRP511 and CRP535 to support GBCS v3.2 devices’ seeks to amend DUIS and MMC to support the uplift of GBCS v3.2.
Please contact the SECAS Change team with any questions or comments on any of the Draft Proposals.
SEC Version 6.20 Designated
Read on for details of two recent Designations:
SEC Version 6.19 was designated on 25 October 2019 to include changes to Appendix AK ‘SEC Variation Testing Approach Document for SMETS1 Services’.
An update to the Migration Testing Approach Document can be found on our Developing SEC page here.
SEC Version 6.20 was designated early this week on 4 November 2019. Further changes have been made to Appendix AK, along with changes to the SEC Schedule 11 ‘TS Applicability Tables’ and Section G ‘Security’ (as a result of MP087’s implementation)
Modcasts
You can listen to our most recent Modcast here. This week we cover the November Working Group, the latest designation and open consultations.
You have told us that our Modcasts are a useful way to keep up to date, and if you haven’t listened yet, we encourage you to do so!
CACoP Newsletter
You can read about the Codes’ Brexit preparations, the next steps following the CACoP Engagement Day in July, and how we fulfil the role of a Critical Friend, in the latest copy of the CACoP Newsletter here.
You can also find the Central Modifications Register and the Horizon Scan on our CACoP page.
DCC Publications
The DCC has published a conclusion on changes to the SMETS1 Supporting Requirements Document.
Ofgem Publications
Ofgem has published the following consultations:
• Supplier Licensing Review: Ongoing requirements and exit arrangements which includes proposals about managing supplier growth and potential market exit. Respond by 3 December 2019.
• Reviewing smart metering costs in the default tariff cap: October consultation – which proposes to update the non-pass-through Smart Metering Net Cost Change allowance (“SMNCC”) in the default tariff cap. Closing date is 19 November 2019.
• DCC Price Control Consultation: Regulatory Year 2018/19. Ofgem is proposing that the DCC’s Baseline Margin should be reduced by up to £1.305m due to its performance under the Operational Performance Regime (OPR). It is concerned that the OPR may not be providing the best incentives to DCC and is initiating a review of the OPR. The consultation closes on 20 December 2019.
• The Consumer Vulnerability Strategy 2025 has been published following consultation over the summer.
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).