MP231 ‘Firmware upgrade pathways’

Certain Device models need to have a firmware upgrade applied in a specific order. Failure to follow the specific order can result in unintended consequences. Investigation of the issue indicates that it is not an uncommon requirement for firmware updates to be implemented in a specific order. The information required to ensure each Device has its firmware upgrade applied in the correct order is not included within the Firmware Information Repository (FIR), nor is there a requirement in the SEC for that information to be provided.

The solution will place an obligation on Device Manufacturers to supply the CPL Entry ID(s) of the previous firmware version that can be upgraded to the new version on their CPL submission. This could be one or many versions depending on their firmware. If there is no previous version, then ‘N/A’ should be used to populate the field. This information will then be included in the FIR so that it is accessible for Suppliers through the SEC website. This information will be requested on a best endeavours basis for existing entries on the CPL.

Who should respond?

• Suppliers.
• The DCC.
• Other SEC Parties (MAPs and Device Manufacturers).

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 12 May 2023.

MP216 ‘Incorporation of Category 2 Issue Resolution Proposals into the SEC – Batch 9’

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) currently has responsibility for receiving and responding to issues raised internally, by the DCC, and by other interested parties with regards the SEC Technical Specifications. Since its inception, several hundred issues have been raised through the Technical Specification Issue Resolution Sub-group (TSIRS). In some cases, these queries have been resolved by providing an explanation of the Specifications, whilst others have resulted in proposed amendments to the Specifications in the form of Issue Resolution Proposals (IRPs) or Change Resolution Proposals (CRPs).

The two IRPs included in this proposal require changes to the Great Britain Companion Specification (GBCS).
The TSIRS has determined all solutions and has requested these be progressed as a Modification Proposal for implementation into the SEC. Implementation of these IRPs will ensure Devices operate as they are intended. The Data Communications Company (DCC) has performed a Preliminary Assessment of these IRPs and have concluded there are no costs associated with this modification.

Who should respond?

• Supplier SEC Parties.
• Other 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 28 November 2022.

MP210 ‘Registered Supplier Agent (RSA) forecasts, orders and pay stock charges for Alt HAN Equipment’

The SEC currently restricts Alt HAN equipment forecasting and ordering to ‘Relevant Supplier Parties’ (Small and Large Suppliers) only. RSAs such as Metering Equipment Managers (MEMs) can install Smart Metering Equipment on Suppliers’ behalf, and so not including them within SEC Section Z4.36 will inhibit the rollout of Alt HAN equipment.

The Proposed Solution will allow RSAs to forecast, order and obtain Alt HAN Equipment on behalf of their Suppliers. For this to take place, SEC Section Z ‘Alt HAN Arrangements’ will be amended to allow Parties’ to forecast, order and obtain Alt HAN Equipment. This will allow Relevant Suppliers and RSAs to do so, subject to meeting the requirements under the Alt HAN arrangements.

SEC Lawyers advised that ‘Party’ is the most suitable term, acknowledging that Alt HAN Co would be able to control who they agree to deliver Alt HAN Equipment to through its contracts.

Relevant Suppliers will need to have acceded to the Alt HAN Supplier Contract to allow their RSA to undertake some of their activities and the RSA would need to sign a contract with Alt HAN to access services. It is intended that access to the Alt HAN services would only be offered to Relevant Suppliers and RSAs but not other types of SEC Party. The necessary contract changes are currently being discussed by the Alt HAN Forum’s Supplier Contract sub group and will be subject to a consultation.

In order to correctly assign Explicit Charges to the Party that holds Alt HAN Devices ‘in stock’, the DCC will need to be able to process Explicit Charge reports received from Alt HAN Co that will contain Party as well as Supplier in stock charge data. The DCC has confirmed that it can carry out this action.

Additionally, the DCC has confirmed that in the event of an RSA entering administration, Alt HAN is to continue invoicing the DCC for that RSA’s ‘in stock’ Devices until the RSA’s credit cover has been drawn down to zero, or until Alt HAN has recovered the ‘in stock’ Devices. If the credit cover has been fully drawn down upon, and the Devices are yet to be recovered, the charges will be socialised to SEC Parties. The DCC has advised that this is the same arrangement with Communications Hubs. Alt HAN has advised that it will continue to look into whether there are any alternative arrangements to reduce any potential liabilities to Suppliers in the event of a MOP failure.

Who should respond?

• Supplier SEC Parties
• Other SEC 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 14 October 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.