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Release Strategy

A BSC Systems Release is a coordinated implementation of a number of changes to CVA, SVA BSC and FAA Systems and the Data Transfer Catalogue (or a combination thereof). It should be noted that Releases may not always include software changes.

The key reasons for adopting this approach are to optimise the efficiency of ELEXON’s administration, reduce costs and to minimise the impact on the industry. The systems and documents covered by BSC Systems Releases are listed in the Baseline Statement.

The BSC Systems Release Strategy was agreed by the BSC Panel 2003 and revised in November 2005. The key elements of the strategy are summarised below.

Release Dates

There are 3 BSC Systems Releases each year. There is normally a single implementation date for each Release; usually the last Thursday in February and June and the first Thursday in November. All CVA, SVA, FAA and Data Transfer Catalogue (DTC) changes will be implemented on the Release Date.

In exceptional circumstances, approved Modifications or Change Proposals may be delivered via a Special Release – which is a Release that does not conform to the Release Strategy – P197 and P207 are recent examples of Special Releases.

The planned release dates for the next three years are:

Year February Release June Release November Release
2008 28 February 26 June 6 November
2009 26 February * 25 June * 5 November
2010 25 February 24 June 4 November
*Due to the implementation of Project Isis, it is unlikely that any changes to CVA or FAA Systems will be scheduled for the February 09 Release, or that any changes to SVA Systems will be scheduled for the June 09 Release.

A planned Release will not take place if there are no approved Modifications or Change Proposals to implement.

If a small number of Change Proposals are scheduled for inclusion in a Release but there is no business case for implementing that Release, the Release will not take place and the changes will be implemented in the next appropriate Release.

Management and Governance

Each Release is managed by an ELEXON Release Manager and is directed by the BSC Systems Programme Board, which includes industry representatives and ELEXON Change and Operational management. The current BSC Systems Programme Board members are:

Chris Rowell / Peter Davies Chair / Executive
Richard Hartley (Npower) Senior SVA User
Tim Johnson (E. on UK) Senior CVA User
John Sykes (Scottish & Southern) Senior User
Mark Couldrick Senior User ELEXON Operations
Alex Grieve (ELEXON) Senior Supplier

The BSC Systems Programme Board terms of reference which detail the responsibilities of the Programme Board is available to download from the related documents menu on the right of this page.

Communication with the Industry

Distinct industry interfaces are maintained for CVA and SVA changes.

Under delegated authority from the BSC Panel, the Supplier Volume Allocation Group (SVG) approves SVA Change Proposals and amended SVA configurable items and the Imbalance Settlement Group (ISG) approves CVA Change Proposals and amended CVA configurable items. The details of the configurable items owned by each BSC Panel committee are included in the Baseline Statement. Distinct CVA and SVA distribution lists are maintained for the industry review of amended Code Subsidiary Documents (CSDs) and other configurable items.

CVA Change Circulars have replaced CVA Programme Circulars, although the numbering of the Change Circulars will continue using the existing sequence (the last CVA Programme Circular was number 190 and the first CVA Change Circular was number 191).

Similarly, SVA Change Circulars have replaced SVA Programme Circulars; the first SVA Change Circular is number 72.

The Business Requirements Solution document(s), Test Strategy and Key dates for each Release will be published within this section of the website. All amended configurable items will also be published once they are ready for industry review and will be updated as necessary.

Other information regarding the progress of Releases and any significant updates to the Releases on the website will be notified to the industry via ELEXON Newscast.

Select an option from the menu alongside to view details of a specific planned Release; Implemented Releases and Change Circulars.

Contact

To contact the Change Implementation Team regarding CVA changes, email cvachanges@elexon.co.uk.

To contact the Change Implementation Team regarding SVA changes, email svachanges@elexon.co.uk.

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