List of BSC Issues

Many domestic customers are installing solar photovoltaics (PV) in their homes, allowing them to both consume the energy generated and export excess energy to the grid. However, the current Boundary Point Settlement metering system measures electricity Import and Export on an instantaneous basis. This means that even if a household generates and consumes equal amounts of energy over a period, they can still incur charges due to momentary imbalances between generation and consumption. As a result, customers may face higher bills and complexities in energy management. The current system also poses challenges in accurately reflecting the true energy surplus or deficit over a given settlement period.

The contract between Elexon and the Energy Networks Association (ENA) to pass the operational costs for the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) through the BSC as ‘BSC Costs’ is due to expire on 31 March 2024. The BSC pass-through operational costs are currently circa £5 million and there are circa 1 million RTS devices (Radio Teleswitches and Radio Telemeters) in use.

This Issue sought to review BSC Section N to identify which areas and associated processes are currently pain points experienced by the Industry. It aimed to identify solutions to address these to improve efficiency and the user experience for these processes.

The Credit Committee has requested that Elexon review the Credit Cover arrangements with industry experts through an Issue Group. This is in response to key concerns about credit being sufficient to protect the market from Supplier Failure while also not being an onerous burden on market participants. 

Issue 105 was raised to explore the consequential impacts of the P448 Alternative Modification and make a recommendation as to whether further industry change is required.

The contract between Elexon and the Energy Networks Association (ENA) to pass the operational costs for the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) through the BSC as ‘BSC Costs’ is due to expire on 31 March 2023. The BSC pass-through operational costs are expected to rise from c.£1.5m to c.£5m. Therefore, Elexon wishes to re-establish industry support for passing RTS costs through the BSC from April 2023 onwards, and confirm how the costs should be apportioned (for example Suppliers/Generators). It’s worth mentioning that since the BSC acts as a pass-through intermediary, Elexon has no control over the RTS cost, which is set through an ENA/BBC contract.

The Proposer believes that there would be value in reviewing existing controls for Settlement error prevention. It is critical to the Proposer that we address these problems prior to the Settlement timetable being shortened by Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) as the opportunities to readdress will be reduced thereafter.

A stakeholder survey conducted by Elexon identified a number of key issues/possible areas for improvement in the BSC Change process. The Issue Group  reviewed the BSC Change process to identify possible ways in which these key issues could be addressed or the BSC Change Process could be improved.

CP1584 ‘Allow non-BSC Parties to raise Change Proposals, add a CP withdrawal process and remove BCA/PACA concept’ was raised by Elexon on 1 August 2023 as a result of Issue 102.

Issue 101 intends to define the requirements and principles for the on-going Data Integration Platform (DIP) arrangements that can be included in a subsequent BSC Modification, including the ongoing governance, funding and operation of the DIP.

National Grid Electricity System Operator’s Distributed ReStart project seeks to enable distribution-connected Plant to participate in an updated version of Electricity System Restoration (currently defined as Black Start in the BSC).