BSC & Codes

Balancing and Settlement Code

BSC Consolidated and Sections

The Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) is a legal document which defines the rules and governance for the balancing mechanism and imbalance settlement processes of electricity in Great Britain.

BSC related documents

BSC Procedures (BSCPs)

BSCPs define the relationships, timescales and interactions between participants and specify the information or other outputs to be exchanged between them.

Business Definition Documents

Business Definition Documents include Data Catalogues, the Reporting Catalogue and the Communication Requirements Document.

Codes of Practice

Codes of Practice (CoPs) detail the technical requirements for Metering Systems. These versions are not time limited in the same way as other documents. When Metering Equipment is first registered in Settlement, it must comply with the requirements which are set out in the relevant Code of Practice in place at that time.

• Codes of Practice Compliance and Protocol Approvals
• Alpha Codes of Practice – obsolete since 2003
• Codes of Practice: Settlement Agreement for Scotland – obsolete since 2005

Interface Definition Documents

The IDD Part 1 and Part 2 documents list both fully-automated electronic interfaces and other partially-automated or manual interfaces; the spreadsheets list the fully-automated electronic interfaces.

User Requirement Specifications

The User Requirement Specifications set out the requirements for each of the Central Systems applications, the two Party Agent applications and the PARMS application (but not for the SVAA “minor” applications).

Service Descriptions

The BSC Service Descriptions describe the service to be provided by the BSC Agents. As a general rule, there is one BSC Service Description for each BSC Agent. The exception to this rule is for the Technical Assurance Agent (TAA) which has two, one for SVA and one for CVA.

Category 3 Documents

BSC documents not falling into any other category of Code Subsidiary Documents. Includes Sandbox procedure and Party Service Line

BSC Sandbox Procedure

The purpose of this document is to set out the process that the BSC Panel, BSCCo and applicants should follow with respect of Sandbox applications.

• Derogations from the BSC using the BSC Sandbox

Code Subsidiary Documents Architectural Principles

This document contains the principles that underpin the architecture of the BSC’s set of Code Subsidiary Documents (CSDs). It sets out principles about the content of each type of CSD and about changing/creating CSDs.

Demand Capacity and Generation Capacity Limit Review and Determination

This document sets out the principles and processes for reviewing and determining the Demand Capacity (DC) and Generation Capacity (GC) Limit values, in line with the solution implemented through BSC Modification P357: Removal of GC/DC tolerance parameters from BSC Section K

Demand Disconnection Event Threshold Rules

This document sets out the process that should be followed after a Demand Control Event (DCE) to determine the cost and value of following the Demand Disconnection Event (DDE) Obligations.

Limit on SVA Connection for Auxiliary Supplies for CVA Primary BM Units

This explains the Limit on SVA Connection for SMRS Registered Primary BM Units Where Plant and/or Apparatus is Registered in another (CVA) Primary BM Unit

Loss of Load Probability Calculation Methodology Statement

The LoLP Calculation Statement explains how the NETSO calculates Derated Margin (DRM) and LoLP for use in Settlement under the BSC. The DRM is used to determine LoLP. LoLP values are used in the calculation of Reserve Scarcity Prices, as part of the BSC’s imbalance price calculation.

Market Index Definition Statement

The Market Index Definition Statement that is approved by the Authority containing details for each Market Index Data Provider.

Party Service Line 100: Generic Requirements for BSC Parties and Party Agents

This Party Service Line (PSL) defines the non-functional requirements that Supplier Agents, LDSOs and CVA MOAs shall comply with to fulfil their functions under the BSC. In this PSL certain common responsibilities and obligations are expressed to be undertaken by all of the following Market Participants.

Process for Requesting BSC Data

This document details the process for how Elexon will triage, categorise and mitigate data requests.

Replacement Reserve Schedule Methodology

This document is the Replacement Reserve (RR) Schedule Methodology Document. Section T of the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) requires the BSC Panel to establish this document (and subsequently have it in force at all times), for the purpose of settling Replacement Reserve (RR) delivered by Balancing Service Providers (BSPs) in Great Britain (GB).

Self Assessment Document: Qualification Process for SVA Parties, SVA Party Agents and CVA MOAs

The Self Assessment Document (SAD) embodies the requirements for both Qualification and re-Qualification. Applicants are required to complete the SAD in accordance with BSCP537 ‘Qualification’ and Section J of the BSC. The SAD contains both generic and ro

Self Assessment Document: forms

Link to download Word version of Forms from Self Assessment Document

BSC explanatory material

BSC Simple Guides

The Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) is a lengthy legal document. The following guides provide a good starting point for understanding what each part of the BSC covers.

BSC Guidance Notes

BSC Guidance Notes provides information on topics associated to the BSC.

Associated BSC subjects

Code Administration Code of Practice

CACoP is the Code Administration Code of Practice which sets out principles for the administrators of the industry codes that underpin the electricity and gas wholesale and retail markets.

EU legislation directly impacting on the BSC

This page is a one-stop shop repository of European Union legislation that directly impacts on the BSC systems and processes. Below you will find copies of REMIT and the REMIT Implementing Act, and the latest version of the draft Electricity Balancing Guideline, amongst other legislation.