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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1.1 Who must Accede to the Balancing and Settlement
Code?
It is a pre requisite of Market Entry that a prospective
Trading Party, Licensed Distribution System Operator (LDSO),
Interconnector Error Administrator or Interconnector
Administrator becomes a signatory to the Balancing and
Settlement Code (BSC).
Q1.2 How do I Accede?
The documents and supporting documents (available from the
Market Entry/exit section of the BSC (ELEXON) website or the
'Market Entry Co-ordinator' at ELEXON) that you need to sign in
order to become a BSC Party are:
- The Accession Form which provides ELEXON with contact
information and licence details etc.
- The BSC Accession Agreement which obliges applicants to
comply with the BSC.
Section A of the Balancing & Settlement Code outlines
the requirements for Accession.
PLEASE NOTE - you must submit 2 copies of
the BSC Accession Agreements.
Q1.3 On the Accession form, should I mention a licence if I
haven't yet obtained one?
Yes, we need to know if you are in the process of applying
for a Licence or whether you are Licence Exempt.
Q1.4 Is there a joining fee?
Yes, there is an Accession Fee of £500 (payable by
BACs/CHAPs/Company Cheque) as outlined within the BSC. Please
note cheques should be made payable to ELEXON Limited.
Q1.5 Am I able to pay any way, other than cheque?
Yes, you can pay by BACs/CHAPs. Please ensure you indicate
the method of payment you intend to use on the Accession
form.
Q1.6 I want to use the Interconnector between England and
France to import or export electricity, what do I have to
do?
In order to use the Interconnector you must Accede to the
Balancing and Settlement Code. You must also undertake
registration and qualification in order to register BM units.
This needs to be done prior to trading but you will also need
to bid in NGC's daily Interconnector capacity auction.
Q1.7 If I want to become an ECVNA or MVRNA, do I need to
Accede?
No, Party Agents do not need to accede.
Q2.1 What is registration? Didn't I give you all the
details on the Accession Form?
Registration entails recording details, such as your Party
ID, participation capacity etc on Central Systems, which are
required to facilitate the settlement process. You provide
these details to the CRA (Central Registration Agent).
Q2.2 What form do I use in order to Register on the
CRS?
To register as a Trading Party, Interconnector Error
Administrator, Interconnector Administrator or LDSO, you will
need to submit BSCP65/4.1. To register as an ECVNA or MVRNA you
will need to submit BSCP71/05. Please note that registration
details will remain on Central Systems as pending until the
required Qualification has been completed.
Q2.3 What is a BSCP?
A Balancing and Settlement Code Procedure is a BSC
subsidiary document which specifies processes that should be
followed.
Q2.4 Do I create a Party ID, or is it allocated
centrally?
You create your own Party ID, which you should specify on
your BSCP65/4.1 form. The ID should conform to the following
format: The Party ID can follow an alphanumeric combination of
8 or fewer characters, eg, NORW123. Please note that the
letters should be capitalised and there should be no spaces or
other characters such as ampersands or commas.
Those wishing to register as ECVNAs and/or MVRNAs must
specify their desired Party Agent ID(s) on the BSCP71/05 form.
The same format conventions apply to Party Agent IDs as Party
IDs.
Q2.5 An ‘Authorised Signatory’ is required to
sign BSCP65/4.1, how do I authorise personnel?
BSCP38 governs the process for setting up authorised
signatories. This is an important step as Parties and Party
Agents cannot undertake certain actions where the relevant
forms have not been signed by authorised signatories.
Q2.6 How does 'BSC Party ID' differ from 'Party ID'?
It does not, please use the same ID.
Q2.7 What is the difference between a Distribution System
Operator (DSO) and a Licensed Distribution System Operator
(LDSO)?
The Code defines both terms, such that LDSO is a subset of
DSO and represents those DSOs that are licensed for
distribution. This second term comes about because the Code
also recognises a type of Distribution System where the network
is operated by someone other than the LDSO that provides the
SMRS in which all the Metering Systems are registered. This
third party is not licensed or required to be a Party to the
BSC. However, should they be a BSC Party, then they are known
as a DSO. In such circumstances the Settlement obligations
remain with the LDSO.
At present there are no DSOs that are not also LDSOs and so
these two terms are currently synonymous, in addition the need
for such Distribution Systems is reduced with the introduction
of Modification Proposal P62. The preferred term is LDSO and,
with the exception of BSCP65, this term is used in the majority
of BSCPs and other documents.
Q3.1 Who has to register Authorised Persons?
Trading Parties, Interconnector Error Administrators,
Interconnector Administrators, ECVNAs, MVRNAs, and LDSOs are
all required to submit details of Authorised Persons.
Q3.2 Who keeps a record of Authorised Persons?
Two Authorisation Registers are maintained, one by ELEXON
and one by the CRA on behalf of the CDCA, ECVAA, FAA, SAA and
TAA. The CRA and ELEXON have separate authorisation forms that
detail the specific authorisation categories for which each is
responsible.
Q3.3 Why do we need to register Authorised Persons?
The purpose of this procedure is to ensure BSC Agents and
the BSCCo only carry out specific Code activities on the
request of an Authorised Person; this is designed to safeguard
your company.
Q3.4 What is an 'Authorised Person'?
An Authorised Person is an individual identified by
yourselves, to sanction specific Code activities to be carried
out by ELEXON and BSC Agents on behalf of your company, as
appropriate.
Q3.5 How do I register Authorised Personnel?
To register Authorised Personnel you will need to submit two
forms: BSCP38/5.1 which should be submitted to the BSCCo
(ELEXON) and BSCP38/5.3 which should be submitted to the
CRA.
Q3.6 Who signs the Authorisation Forms?
The 'Declaration of Authorised Persons' forms must be signed
by a category "A" Authorised Person, i.e. someone who has
previously been authorised to make changes to Authorised
Persons.
Q3.7 I am a new Party and do not have any previous category
"A" Authorised Persons. Who signs my forms?
Where a Party does not have a category "A" Authorised Person
registered with the CRA or ELEXON, the BSCP38/5.1 and
BSCP38/5.3 forms should be accompanied by a letter, on Company
stationary signed by a Company Director, in which the Director
declares himself/herself Category “A”
authorised.
Q3.8 How can I find out what the various processes on the
BSCP 38 form mean?
A list of the categories of authorisation which appear on
the forms are given below. For more detailed descriptions,
please refer to BSCP38 which is available on the BSC
(ELEXON) Website:
BSCP38/5.1:
A - Changing Authorisation
O - Query / Dispute Process
P - Submitting CVA Line Loss Factors
Q - Registration & Deregistration of Trading Units
R - Metering Dispensation Applications
S – Party Withdrawal
T - Transfer of Metering Systems between SMRS and CMRS
U - Party Agent Registration & Changes to Details
V - Transmission of Reports to all Parties
W – Submitting SVA Standing Data Changes
X – Submitting SVA Line Loss Factors
BSCP38/5.3:
A - Changing Authorisation
B - Accept / Reject Data Estimation
C - Site Witnessing of Meter Readings
D - Planned Work on Metering Systems & Breaking Seals
E - Raise / Agree Standing Data Changes
F - BM Units
G - Metering System Registration / Deregistration & MOA
Appointment
H - Metering System Technical Details & Proving Tests
I - Technical Assurance Site Visit Acceptance
J - Party Registration and Changes to Details
K - Submission & Termination of ECVNA or MVRNA
Authorisations
L - Submitting Aggregation Rules
M - Amendments to Non Confidential Report Requirements
N - Banking Details Registration and Changes to Details
NB. Authorisation A appears on both forms and must be
completed twice.
Q3.9 Does this procedure interface with any other BSC
Procedures?
Yes, the categories of authorisation relate to a number of
other BSCPs. A full table of the related BSCPs is available in
BSCP38, which is available on the BSC (ELEXON) Website.
Q3.10 Is there a limit to the number of people I can
register?
No, you can register as many Authorised Persons as you wish
to.
Q3.11 What do the 'effective from' and 'effective to' dates
refer to on the form?
The 'effective from date’ is the date from which the
named person will be authorised. You can fill out the
'effective to' date if you wish, but this is not compulsory.
ELEXON and the CRA will ask you to confirm your Authorised
Persons list on an annual basis.
Q3.12 Where do I send my BSCP 38 forms?
BSCP38/5.1 form should be sent directly to the Market
Entry Coordinator (MEC) at ELEXON. Contact details are provided
in the Simple Guide to Market Entry, which is available to
download from the Market Entry section of the BSC (ELEXON)
website. BSCP38/5.3 should be submitted to the CRA, contact
details are also available in the Simple Guide to Market
Entry.
Q3.13 How will I know if my Authorisations have been
accepted?
5 Working Days after receipt of a Declaration of Authorised
Persons Form, the CRA or ELEXON will notify you that the
relevant Authorisation Register has been updated.
Q3.14 How can I check who is currently an Authorised Person
for my organisation?
You can check who is currently registered as an Authorised
Person for your company by contacting either ELEXON or the CRA
directly.
Q3.15 How often can I change or update my Authorised
Persons records?
You can change, update, or add new Authorised Persons as
often as you wish. ELEXON and the CRA undertake an annual
review of the authorised signatories on the Authorisation
Register. You will be asked to confirm the authorised
signatories set up for your organisation as part of this
review.
Q3.16 How do I cancel an Authorised Person?
Part B - Cancellation of Authorisation which appears on the
BSCP38 forms should be completed, if you wish to cancel one of
your Authorised persons. The form should signed by a category
"A" Authorised Person. BSCP38/5.1 forms should be submitted to
the MEC at ELEXON and BSCP38/5.3 forms should be submitted to
the CRA. You will receive confirmation of the cancellation 5
Working Days after it is received.
Q4.1 How do I order a High Grade service?
Please complete the Communication Line Request Form which is
available on the BSC (ELEXON) website. You will be required to
specify the following:
- Indicate whether you wish to order the High Grade
Service, Low Grade Service or both
- Company Name (under which you signed up to the Balancing
and Settlement Code)
- Technical Contact Name
- Technical Contact Telephone
- Technical Contact Fax
- Technical Contact Email
- Installation Address
- Any other relevant information you wish to add.
For High Grade Orders ELEXON recommends you also ask for the
Low Grade Service as a backup facility.
Q4.2 What are the costs associated with the High Grade
Service?
The cost for the High Grade Service in Great Britain
is:
a) £2,000 per month for each physical connection
required.
If you require Tibco Software, the additional charges
are:
b) £10,000 Software licence (one-off fixed fee)
c) £200 per month software support charge.
Q4.3 What are the Terms and Conditions associated with the
service?
The terms and conditions are covered under BSC Section D
Annex 3. Further information on terms and conditions and on the
service itself can be found in BSC Section O and associated
documents.
Q4.4 What is the Tibco Software , and are there any
licence restrictions?
The £10,000 fixed fee Tibco software defines the
standard Tibco configuration for the service, defined as the
"Tibco Software". This consists of:
- A single TIB Rendevous RVRD Single CPU server
licence
- A maximum of 5 TIB Rendevous RVD user licences
Additional TIB Rendevous RVD user licences may be ordered at
a one off charge of £1000 and monthly charge of £15
per additional licence.
These are non-transferable licences and provided for the
sole use of the NETA services.
Q4.5 Are there alternate licence arrangements for Tibco
Software?
There are a number of alternative software options relating
to TIBCo software. These are:
- A single TIB Rendevous RVRD 2-4 CPU server licence and a
maximum of 5 TIB Rendevous RVD user licences for production
usage may be ordered at a one off charge of £15,700 and
monthly charge of £235.50.
- A single TIB Rendevous RVRD Single CPU server licence and
a maximum of 5 TIB Rendevous RVD user licences for
development usage may be ordered at a one off charge of
£7,720 and monthly charge of £150.
- A single TIB Rendevous RVRD 2-4 CPU server licence and a
maximum of 5 TIB Rendevous RVD user licences for development
usage may be ordered at a one off charge of £11,140 and
monthly charge of £235.50.
As above, additional TIB Rendevous RVD user licences may be
ordered at an additional one off charge of £1000 and
additional monthly charge of £15 per additional
licence.
Q4.6 Do I need the Tibco Software?
The Tibco software provides the mechanism for automated
publication of BMRA data to your site. There are two main
reasons you may choose not to have the Tibco Software:
a) You are already in possession of Tibco Software
licences
b) You do not require the automatic publication facility and
are satisfied to use the browser/java applet interface and
manually refresh data screens as required
Q4.7 What is the position if I require a connection outside
the UK?
You should contact ELEXON with your requirement. Logica
will perform a cost and timescale analysis. Logica will
perform a cost and timescale analysis. The results will be
forwarded to you and you will be asked to confirm your order
and accept or reject the incremental costs.
Please note the analysis should only be requested if you
should only request this if you are very clear that it is
necessary for your organisation.
Q4.8 Are there any provisions for cost reduction for
Disaster Recovery sites?
It is strongly recommended that High Grade service users
also acquire the Low Grade service as a backup facility. This
uses the public Internet and provides a backup option for the
primary site and is another option for a standby site. The Low
Grade Service is free of charge.
Q4.9 What are the times and costs associated with
termination of a connection?
The minimum order period for a High Grade line is 12 months.
(Ref Balancing and Settlement Code Section D Annex D-3 Part
3.3).
Q4.10 Is it possible for more than one Party to use the
same High Grade connection?
Yes, it is technically feasible for different parties to
share the same physical connection. You must indicate if this
is your intention when placing an order. The High Grade service
has been designed for a typical single Party profile and the
service levels set on that basis. Potentially additional
volumes mean that service levels could not be guaranteed. In
this case the programme recommends an impact assessment to
consider the need for increased bandwidth. This may lead to
additional costs.
Further, there are a number of technical recommendations
regarding directory structures, use of FTP, use of the security
package and the TIBCo software that apply to multi-party
configurations.
Q4.11 Will the Tibco and the Security software be supported
on platforms other than Windows NT?
Tibco is currently only supported running on Windows NT.
Tibco is available for Windows 2000 but is not currently
supported by Central Systems on this platform. Support for
Tibco on Windows 2000 is being considered.
The XSec security software is supported on both Windows NT
and Windows 2000. Earlier versions of the PCSec software are
only supported on Windows NT. There are no plans to provide a
version of XSec for non Win32 platforms.
Q4.12 Can we have a breakdown of the costs of the High
Grade service?
The High Grade Service is a fully managed service, it is not
possible to have a breakdown of the costs. It is an optional
component of signing up to the Balancing and Settlement Code
(BSC) as a NETA participant. As such the costs are not fully
attributable to ensure a fair and competitive market.
Q4.13 Where can I obtain more technical details?
Before you have installed your Communication Lines all
queries should be directed to the ELEXON Helpdesk (see the
'Further Help' link at the top of this page). Once your service
has been installed you should contact the BSC Service Desk with
any technical queries you may have. The contact
details are provided below.
Q5.1 What is CVA Qualification?
CVA Qualification is the process of testing your business
systems (electronic and manual) to ensure that they conform to
the required interfaces with various key agents. CVA
Qualification Testing must be completed in order to formally
register you to trade within the CRS. This testing is
undertaken between the CRA and yourself. Please see the 'Simple
Guide to Market Entry' which is available on the Market Entry
section of the BSC (ELEXON) website for further
details.
Q 5.2 Where are the testing requirements set out?
The CVA Qualification testing requirements are outlined in
the Communications Requirement Document and the CVA
Qualification Guide. You can find details of the interfaces in
the various BSCPs and the NETA Data File Catalogue, also
available within the Market Entry section of the BSC
(ELEXON) website.
Q5.3 Do I need to re-qualify if I change capacity?
This depends on the capacities involved, but in some
instances you may be required to undertake further CVA
Qualification testing. Please refer to the CVA Qualification
Guide for further information.
Q5.4 How long does CVA Qualification take?
The potential Party or Party Agent drives this process. The
CRA requests one weeks notice for test booking slots. The test
slots themselves are for 4 hours each.
Q6.1 What is SVA Qualification?
Under the BSC, SVA Parties, SVA Party Agents and CVA MOAs
are required to gain Qualified status by completing the SVA
Qualification process. The SVA Qualification process aims to
provide assurance that an organisation’s systems, which
may interact with the BSC Systems and other participant’s
systems, developed outside of ELEXON’s control, are in
line with BSC requirements and good practice.
One of the main activities for new entrants in the SVA
Qualification process is completion of a Self Assessment
Document (SAD) and provision of evidence to support the
responses to the SAD questions. The SAD embodies the
Qualification Requirements. Applicants are also required to
design and execute a program of testing in order to satisfy
functional and communications testing requirements. ELEXON (or
its Qualification service provider) will review the SAD and
supporting evidence (including test evidence) and make a
determination about whether or not the Applicant has satisfied
the Qualification Requirements. A risk based approach will be
taken to reviewing the SAD and supporting evidence. Once the
SAD is completed to an appropriate standard ELEXON will present
a recommendation to the Performance Assurance Board, the BSC
Panel sub-committee which grants Qualification approval.
Once Qualified, market participants are required to maintain
their Qualified status through the re-Qualification process.
Re-Qualification should be completed prior to a Qualified
Person implementing a Material Change to the systems and/or
processes that it uses to carry out it obligations under the
BSC.
For more information and guidance on the SVA Qualification
process (including re-Qualification) please refer to the
SVA Qualification pages.