Technical Assurance of Metering Systems
Technical Assurance of Metering is designed to monitor compliance with metering requirements set out in the BSC and its subsidiary documents. It consists of a combination of sampled and targeted visits to sites with Half Hourly Metering Systems registered in SVA and CVA.
The size and scope of the sample is set by the Performance Assurance Board (PAB) within the Risk Operating Plan (ROP). A full representation of the TAM scope of work can be found here.
For the audit year 2014-2015 the PAB approved a 1% representative sample size for the SVA Metering System population and a 14.75% representative sample size for the CVA Metering System population.
Please note that the CVA sample has increased from 5%, the rationale is outlined in the summary of PAB paper 151/11.
Why do we have it?
The checks performed monitor the compliance of these Metering Systems with the requirements stated in the BSC and its subsidiary documents, in particular the Metering Codes of Practice (CoP). It provides a level of assurance that the metered values passed into Settlement represent actual consumption.
The Technical Assurance of Metering service
The service is provided by the Technical Assurance Agent (TAA). The TAA is a BSC Agent procured and managed by Elexon. The TAA is currently C&C Group Ltd.
To check Metering Systems the TAA has to perform site visits. The TAA will notify the relevant Registrant and the appointed agents of the scheduled site visit. The Registrant is responsible for securing access to the site and Metering System and should ensure that a suitably qualified Meter Operator Agent can attend.
I’m expecting a site visit, what do I need to know?
An authorised inspector will visit your site and perform the checks. The TAA Metering Inspectors are suitably qualified, trained and experienced to carry out the inspection visits and have the appropriate authorisation throughout Great Britain. They all carry copies of their authorisations to inspections.
We’ve developed an online support tool, the Technical Assurance Agent Management Tool (TAAMT), to help facilitate site visit planning and two-way sharing of information with the TAA. It’s a central database that contains all historical data and information for Metering System visits performed by TAA inspectors. You can use it to view inspection schedules and results and to submit data and communicate with the TAA.
If you want to use this system please contact the TAA Helpdesk to arrange an account:
TAA Helpdesk
The TAA Helpdesk is available during business hours to answer any questions and help you with data submissions.
Call on 0870 240 2795 or email [email protected]
What happens after the site visit?
After the site visit the TAA will show you the results of the inspection and also share these with the associated agents responsible for the Metering System. You are required to rectify any non-compliances found.
Annual Reporting
The TAA publishes an Annual Report each year providing a summary of his findings. The Annual Report is presented to the BSC Panel in June. Copies of previous TAA Annual Reports are available on Performance Assurance Reports.
Performance Assurance Framework
Technical Assurance of Metering is a detective technique in Elexon’s Performance Assurance Framework.