Industry consultation to support the review of the SEC modification framework – your opportunity to comment on our proposals

SEC Parties are invited to respond to the industry consultation on SECAS’ proposals arising from our end-to-end review of the modification framework, detailed in SEC Section D. The modification framework can be further streamlined to improve the experience of SEC Parties. Your responses will be invaluable in helping us to develop our proposals for how the framework can be further enhanced.

Who should respond?

• All SEC Parties.

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 ‘SEC Section D Review Consultation response’ by 5pm 24 March 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.

Refinement Consultation – MP090 Incorporation of Non GBCS Non-Mandated Alerts into the SEC

Many Data Communications Company (DCC) Users only recognise Alerts defined in the Great Britain Companion Specification (GBCS). As a result, DCC Users systems have not been designed to recognise Non GBCS Non Mandated (NGNM) Alerts that are not defined in GBCS. The DCC has provided three solution options to facilitate the incorporation into the SEC of currently Non GBCS Non Mandated Alerts listed in the SECMP0090 business requirements.

Who should respond?

• Stakeholders
• Those interested in the Non GBCS Non Mandated Alerts

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 ‘MP090 Refinement Consultation response’ by 5pm 3 July 2020.

Consultation on an enduring approach for incorporating IRPs and NGNM Alerts into the SEC

On 4 June 2020, SECAS issued a consultation on the proposed enduring approach for incorporating Issue Resolution Proposals (IRPs) and Non GBCS Non Mandated (NGNM) Alerts into the SEC.

Who should respond?

• Stakeholders
• Those interested in the Issue Resolution Proposals and Non GBCS Non Mandated Alerts

Related Documents

Please find the consultation document here.

How to respond

Please send your response titled ‘IRP Consultation response’ to sec.change@gemserv.com by 5PM Friday 10 July 2020.

SECMP0015 ‘GPF timestamp for reading instantaneous Gas values’ Modification Report Consultation

Instantaneous Gas Smart Metering Equipment (GSME) register values can be read from the Gas Proxy Function (GPF). These will not normally be in-line with the readings on the GSME, since the GSME only provides intermittent updates to the GPF, typically once every 30 minutes. Without a timestamp to know when the GSME last updated the GPF, the Supplier cannot know how up to date the information is.
The proposed solution is to allow Parties and devices reading the instantaneous values from the GPF to know the time on the GSME’s clock when the value was provided

Who should respond?

• Stakeholders
• Those interested in the Gas Proxy Function (GPF).

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 sec.change@gemserv.com with the subject line ‘SECMP0015 Modification Report Consultation response’ by 5pm 8 June 2020.