Smart meter consultation including changes to the BSC
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is consulting on whether the smart meter Data Communications Company (DCC) should be required to provide an enrolment service for EDMI SMETS1 (Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specification) meters. EDMI is a meter manufacturer.
BEIS also seeks views on proposed regulatory amendments on five separate topics related to the implementation of the Smart Metering Implementation Programme, including the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) which is managed by Elexon.
What changes to the BSC are needed?
The consultation proposes that the BSC Panel provides support and information to the Smart Energy Code (SEC) Panel. This would involve the BSC Panel assisting the SEC Panel in resolving disputes about which identification codes used in registration data should be associated with which electricity Supplier.
In January 2020, BEIS consulted on proposals to introduce a new type of Organisation Certificate for Users (an Extensible Market Language (XML) Signing Certificate). Each certificate can be used to cryptographically bind registration data identifiers to energy Suppliers.
BEIS is looking to introduce a disputes mechanism for when Suppliers disagree on which identifier should be associated with which Supplier.
BEIS is proposing that any dispute would be determined by the SEC Panel with a right of appeal to Ofgem. To support this change, BEIS is proposing to direct a change to the BSC (and the Uniform Network Code) to require the BSC Panel to support the SEC Panel in any necessary investigation.
Where can I find the consultation?
The consultation has been published on the Smart Energy Code Administrator and Secretariat (SECAS) website. Elexon supports the proposals and we encourage BSC Parties to respond if they have any views on the consultation.
How to respond
Please send your responses or any enquiries to [email protected]. The deadline for responses to this consultation is 17.00 on Monday 11 May 2020.