Modification Workgroups

The BSC Panel may establish Modification Workgroups to carry out the Definition and/or Assessment Procedure for a Modification Proposal. The BSC Panel may also establish any number of Modification Workgroups on a standing basis and authorise any such standing groups to consider issues (as well as Modification Proposals) within specified areas.

Upcoming Modification Workgroup meetings can be found in the Calendar

There are currently four standing Modification Workgroups that are authorised to consider issues in the following subject areas:

Settlement Standing Modification Group (SSMG)

• Central Meter Registration Service (CMRS) Registrations
• Balancing Mechanism (BM) Unit Classification
• Notifications (Energy Contract Volume Notifications (ECVNs) and Metered Volume Reallocation Notifications (MVRNs))
• Settlement
• Credit cover arrangements
• Clearing, invoicing and payment
• Reporting
• Collection and aggregation of metered Central Data Collection Agent (CDCA) data
• Interconnector arrangements
• Central Volume Allocation (CVA)

 View the SSMG Terms of Reference

Pricing Standing Modification Group (PSMG)

• Cash-out
• Energy and system balancing
• Imbalance pricing
• Balancing Reserve Level principles
• Trade-tagging
• Default price rules

 View the PSMG Terms of Reference

Volume Allocation Standing Modification Group (VASMG)

• SMRS Registrations
• Supplier Volume Allocation (SVA)
• Supplier Meter Registration
• Half Hourly (HH) / Non Half Hourly (NHH) Data Collection
• HH/NHH Data Aggregation
• SVA Metering
• Party Agents
• Qualification (for SVA)
• Performance Assurance Framework
• Governance Standing Modification Group (GSMG)

 View the VASMG Terms of Reference

Governance Standing Modification Group (GSMG)

• Accession
• Panel and Panel Committees
• BSCCo
• BSC Agents
• Modification Procedures
• Default arrangements
• Confidentiality and intellectual property
• Liability
• Dispute resolution
• BSC Cost Recovery and Participation Charges

 View the GSMG Terms of Reference

Guide to Modification Workgroups

Who can be a Modification Workgroup Member?

Anyone with experience and/or expertise in the subject matter of the Modification Proposal(s) or Issues (in the case of standing Modification Workgroups) may be appointed a Modification Workgroup member.

Constitution of a Modification Workgroup

A Modification Workgroup must consist of at least five people appointed by the BSC Panel. The Modification Workgroup may also include one person appointed by the Proposer; one person appointed by National Grid and a number of ELEXON employees. There should be at least one ELEXON employee on each Group but there are usually two i.e. the Lead Analyst and the Chairman. Ofgem employees and BSC Panel Members may attend meetings as observers but are not entitled to be Modification Workgroup members as they already have a role in the Modification Process.

What’s involved in being a Modification Workgroup Member?

Modification Workgroup members need to be part of a Modification Workgroup for the lifetime of a Modification Proposal. In the case of a standing Modification Workgroup, members should make themselves available to consider Issues sent to the Workgroup. Although it may differ according to the Workgroup and the complexity of the Modification Proposals/Issues, Modification Workgroup members are expected to:

• Act as independent experts;
• Attend a minimum of two meetings for the Definition Procedure of a Modification Proposal;
• Attend a minimum of two meetings for the Assessment Procedure of a Modification Proposal;
• Undertake work outside meetings e.g. reviewing documents sent by email; and
• In the case of a Standing Modification Workgroup, to participate in meetings to discuss issues being submitted to the Group.

Each Modification Workgroup will produce Definition and/or Assessment Reports for the BSC Panel together with recommendations to help the BSC Panel in the decision making process.

How can I volunteer?

To volunteer for a Modification Workgroup, please visit our Volunteering for Groups page.

Can attendees participate in Modification Workgroup meetings?

The meetings are open to representatives of BSC Parties and others may attend at the discretion of the Workgroup Chairman. Attendees may participate (i.e. discuss and contribute to the analysis) in Modification Workgroup meetings but are not able to vote.

Please let us know if you want to attend a meeting so we can plan and cater for you.

A Modification Workgroup meeting will not be open if it is held by telephone conference, or if the Workgroup Chairman considers it to be impractical.

Can Modification Workgroup Members send alternates to meetings?

There are no alternates for Modification Workgroup members and attendees can’t take on the role of an absent Modification Workgroup member. This is because:

• Modification Workgroup members are selected for their expertise and experience and not as representatives of the companies they work for and must act in accordance with their Employer Release Letters i.e. objectively and independently and are appropriately indemnified. Someone attending a meeting in a member’s absence may not have the same obligations and cannot act as an alternate.
• Modification Workgroup members are obliged to confirm their availability to attend the appropriate meetings and carry out relevant work. Although this may not always be possible, it’s important for the continuity of discussions to ensure that a reasonably consistent group of people are present at the meetings.

Can Modification Group Members claim expenses?

Modification Workgroup members (only members and not attendees) are entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings or otherwise in conducting the business of the Workgroup. Refer to the Submitting Expenses page for details.