SECMP0010 Introduction of triage arrangements for Communication Hubs

Currently, if a Communications Hub fails to install successfully, the installing Supply needs to send it back to the CSP. If the CSP does not find a fault with the Communications Hub, the Supplier is charged a £7.43 fee. Only a certain percentage of these are found to be genuinely faulty, the rest are charged the penalty fee.

The current solution involves the development of a Hand-Held Terminal (HHT), also known as a Triage Tool, that the Supplier can use at their own screened off facility. This device will allow the user to send commands to an unsuccessfully installed Communications Hub, allowing for 1) diagnostics, and if no fault found 2) Reset the Communications Hub. An alternative solution is being investigated due to the high cost of the described solution. SECAS are in discussions with the DCC to explore solution options.

Related Documents

Please find the RFI document here.

How to respond

Please use the response template and contact sec.change@gemserv.com with the subject field as ‘SECMP0010 RFI Response’ by 5pm on 24 September 2021.

MP149 Effecting Changes to the Smart Energy Code efficiently

Currently the Parties that can raise a Draft Proposal to instigate changes to the Smart Energy Code (SEC) are limited. These constraints negatively impact the efficient progression of changes by:

• limiting the Parties who can raise change to those who have sufficient resources;
• impeding required changes being raised;
• burdening certain Parties to devote the time and effort that being a Proposer requires;
• distorting the drivers of the Change process as only Parties with sufficient resources will raise changes;
• requiring Proposers to make decisions where they are acting on behalf of others; and
• adding inefficiencies into the process.

MP149 proposes to extend the provisions to raise Draft Proposals to SECAS, the TABASC, and the Alt HAN Forum. It will also remove the existing limitations to the SEC Panel. Additionally, MP149 will also extend this ability to certain other SEC Sub-Committees subject to the SEC Panel delegating them that responsibility within their terms of reference.

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

Please use the response template and contact sec.change@gemserv.com with the subject line ‘MP149 Effecting Changes to the Smart Energy Code efficiently’ by 5pm 20 September 2021.

MP121 Commissioning non-commissioned Devices after Change of Supplier (CoS)

The DCC has a 90-day target to resolve Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity to ‘reactive install and leave’ installations. The time taken to establish WAN connectivity to ‘proactive install and leave installations is likely to be even longer. These ‘install and leave’ processes and associated obligations are included in the energy Supply Licences. In addition, the Operational Licence conditions require Suppliers to ensure their Devices can communicate with the DCC once WAN is available.

As a result of these timescales there is a risk that the Consumer will change their energy Supplier before WAN connectivity has been established. In these circumstances, the gaining Supplier is not currently able to commission the installed Devices. This is because they require the Install Code to enable the installed Devices to be joined to the Home Area Network (HAN) (using Service Reference Variant (SRV)8.11), which needs to occur before the Devices can be commissioned.

The Proposed Solution includes an obligation on an installing Supplier to respond to a request for install code within 10 working days. The process would rely on email correspondence for the gaining Supplier to make the request and the installing Supplier to fulfil the obligation. SECAS currently manages an Operational Contact list (accessed once logged in) for Suppliers and named contacts and escalation contacts will be added to this.

Who should respond?

• Large Suppliers
• Small Suppliers
• The DCC

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

Please use the response template and contact sec.change@gemserv.com with the subject line ‘MP121 Commissioning non-commissioned Devices after Change of Supplier’ by 5pm 20 September 2021.

MP104 Security Improvements

Data Communications Company (DCC) Users are required to Digitally Sign XML format Service Requests and Signed Pre-Commands with a User Role Signing Private Key. That Key must be a separate dedicated Key that must not be used for communication with Devices. The Security Sub-Committee (SSC) is concerned that Keys could be used incorrectly. However, without the means to validate the use of separate Keys, there is no way to monitor if or how frequently this occurs and no way to advise Users to enable them to ensure they are compliant with the Smart Energy Code (SEC).

The solution is to implement a DCC validation check to identify if this is occurring and, if necessary, work with DCC Users to ensure compliance.

Who should respond?

• All DCC Users.

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here (you will need to be logged in to access).

How to respond

Please use the response template and contact sec.change@gemserv.com with the subject line ‘MP104 Modification consultation response’ by 5pm on 16 August 2021.

 SMETS2 Interoperability- Suppliers Firmware Consultation

In autumn of 2019 BEIS undertook an independent review of assurance for SMETS2 device interoperability on change. The final report was submitted to BEIS on 29 October 2019 and set out ten recommendations relating to test assurance and firmware management. On the request of BEIS the SEC Panel accepted to investigate and action six of these recommendations, three of which relate to firmware management

To support the delivery of these recommendations SECAS is seeking a better understanding of firmware management arrangements and any issues with them. SECAS is therefore requesting assistance from Suppliers to understand:

• the maturity of firmware management processes across industry,
• the challenges and issues that Suppliers may be facing with accessing and deploying firmware, and
• the scale and extent of testing against device and firmware version combinations for both installed and gained devices.

Who should respond?

• Energy Suppliers

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

To help us process your response efficiently, please email your completed response form to SECAS@gemserv.com with the subject line ‘Firmware Consultation’. If you have any questions please contact joey.manners@gemserv.com.

Responses are requested by 5pm 21 August 2020.

MP133 – ‘Consequential changes to the SEC Section G’ Modification Report Consultation

Currently in the Smart Energy Code (SEC) Section G, G1.7 lists exclusions for Export Suppliers and Registered Supplier Agents (RSAs). There it states if you are a Data Communications Company (DCC) User who acts in either of those two User Roles, then SEC Section G’s obligations don’t apply except for the ones listed under G1.7. The “Shared Resources” section isn’t currently listed under G1.7, which means Export Suppliers and RSAs can ignore those obligations whilst not being in breach of the SEC.
The solution is to add the “Shared Resources” Sections G5.25 – G5.28 to G1.7 so that Export Suppliers and RSAs are still obligated to follow these requirements.

Who should respond?

• Stakeholders
• Those interested in the Section G ‘Security’ of the SEC

Related Documents
Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond
Please use the response form in the consultation document and contact SEC.change@gemserv.com by 5pm 7 August 2020.

MP131 ‘Default maximum demand configuration conflict’ Modification Report Consultation

According to the Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS), Great Britain Companion Specification (GBCS) use case definitions, the Data Communication Company (DCC) User Interface Specification (DUIS) and the Message Mapping Catalogue (MMC), values of week definition and date range cannot be configured; only the time of day can be configured via defined use case.
The Proposed Solution is to make amendments to GBCS Table 28d. A number of values currently found in this table conflict with what is stated in the SMETS, GBCS use case definitions, the DUIS, the MMC and the COSEM. The Proposed Solution is to amend the table so that the current conflicting values are corrected to align with the other Technical Specifications. This will mean that, once implemented, meter Manufacturers will be able to build Devices that comply with the Technical Specifications, removing any confusion as to which Technical Specification to follow.

Who should respond?

• Large Suppliers
• Small Suppliers
• Electricity Networks
• Other SEC Parties

Related Documents
Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond
Please use the response form in the consultation document and contact SEC.change@gemserv.com by 5pm 7 August 2020.

Second Refinement Consultation – SECMP0067 Service Request Traffic Management

The DCC System has a finite capacity. Even with communication with Service Users to meet forecasted demand and making the most efficient use of the System’s current capacity, it may be unable to cover accidental or unanticipated large bursts of Service Requests. The proposed solution is to define a maximum system capacity, operating threshold and appropriate Service User allocations.

Who should respond?

• Stakeholders
• Those interested in SEC Section H ‘DCC Services’, Section AB ‘Service Request Processing Document’ and Section AD ‘DCC User Interface Specification’

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

Please use the response form in the consultation document and contact SEC.change@gemserv.com by 5pm 3 August 2020.

Refinement Consultation – MP092 New Planned Maintenance methodology

In April 2019 the DCC began a trial of a new approach regarding the delivery of Planned Maintenance. In order to trial the new approach, the SEC Panel granted the DCC a derogation against these provisions for six months (later extending for a further three months until February 2020). The Panel requested the DCC report on progress to the Operations Group. In July, the DCC reported the trial had been a success and, following a final report to the Operations Group, intended to raise a Modification Proposal to formalise the new approach.

Who should respond?

• Stakeholders
• Those interested in the Section H ‘DCC Services’

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

Please use the response form in the consultation document and contact SEC.change@gemserv.com by 5pm 7 August 2020.

Refinement Consultation – MP122 ‘Operations Metrics’

Issues with transparency of reporting and relevance of the measures contained within the Data Communications Company (DCC) Performance Measurement Report (PMR) have arisen. In its monthly review of the PMR, the Operations Group has found it increasingly difficult to report to the Smart Energy Code (SEC) Panel on the issues within the report. The Proposed Solution is for the DCC to facilitate the necessary changes to the DCC System to implement and report on five business requirements.

Who should respond?

• Stakeholders
• Those interested in the DCC’s Performance Measurement Report

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

Please email your completed response form to sec.change@gemserv.com with the subject line ‘MP122 Refinement Consultation response’ by 5pm 3 July 2020.