MP160 ‘Certificate Signing Request forecasting’

SEC Section L ‘Smart Metering Key Infrastructure and DCC Key Infrastructure’ currently sets out the obligation whereby each Party which is an Authorised Subscriber shall provide the DCC each quarter with a forecast of the number of Certificate Signing Requests (CSRs) it expects to send in the following eight months. The forecasts contain a breakdown of the total number of CSRs for Device Certificates, including the issue of a single Device Certificate and ones that are batched together.

The DCC believes that the obligation on Users to provide these forecasts should be removed. There is sufficient capacity within the Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) services to no longer require the CSR forecasting process except in the case when exceptional volumes of CSRs are to be sent in a given period by a SEC party.

The Proposed Solution will remove the obligation for Authorised Subscribers to have to provide quarterly eight-month CSR forecasts to the DCC. The DCC has advised there is sufficient capacity within the SMKI services and there is no requirement for the quarterly CSR forecasting process. Instead, the DCC will produce its own forecasts internally. The DCC however, do require DCC Users to notify it where the User expects exceptional demand. ‘Exceptional demand’ is considered when an Authorised Subscriber is aware that future requests will be over 150% (50% above) of their average CSRs sent each month. In these instances, the DCC requests information be sent in the relevant month by an Authorised Subscriber.

Who should respond?

• All SEC Parties.
• The DCC.

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

Please use the response template and contact sec.change@gemserv.com by 5pm on 1 June 2022.

MP162 ‘SEC changes required to deliver market-wide half-hourly settlement (MHHS)’

Ofgem’s Electricity Settlement Reform Significant Code Review (SCR) has concluded that settling all consumers on a half-hourly basis would bring net benefits of up to £4.5bn by 2045. Ofgem has therefore concluded that Suppliers should be mandated to settle their customers on a half-hourly basis. Delivering the full solution for market-wide half-hourly settlement (MHHS) will require Supplier Agents to be able to collect half-hourly meter reads from Electricity Smart Metering Equipment (ESME).

MP162 will introduce the changes needed to allow Supplier Agents to be able to collect half-hourly meter readings from ESME for MHHS. The solution will:

• Create a new User Role for non-Supplier Parties carrying out the Meter Data Retrieval (MDR) service.
• Define the Service Requests the MDR User Role will have access to and the associated Target Response Times (TRTs).
• Define the User Entry Process (UEP) requirements for the MDR User Role.
• Define the associated security and data privacy arrangements that will apply to the MDR User Role.

Who should respond?

• Supplier SEC Parties.
• Other SEC Parties (Shared Resource Providers).
• The DCC.

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

Please use the response template and contact sec.change@gemserv.com by 5pm on 24 May 2022.

MP116 ‘Service Request Forecasting’

Currently, for each quarter of the year, DCC Users must submit to the DCC an eight-month forecast of the number of Service Requests that the User anticipates sending. It is believed that each forecast takes an average of two days for each User to complete. These forecasts are intended to assist in managing demand on the DCC User Interface Services. The DCC has raised concern that the accuracy of the forecasts does not meet the level required to produce useful data that will improve the management of demand on the DCC User Interface Services.

The Proposed Solution will remove the obligation for DCC Users to have to provide quarterly eight-month Service Request forecasts to the DCC. Instead, the DCC will produce its own forecasts internally. To maintain a high level of accuracy, the DCC requests that Users provide input into the forecasting process as set out within the DCC User Guidance document, though there is no obligation to do so. The DCC has agreed that it will be responsible for the final sign-off for each forecast.

Who should respond?

• Supplier Parties and Network Parties.

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

Please use the response template and contact sec.change@gemserv.com by 5pm on 7 January 2022.

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.