P391 ‘Introducing Desktop Audits’

Formal title: Introducing Desktop Audits

Summary

This Modification proposes to amend the BSC to expand the scope of the TAM technique to allow for Desktop Audits to act as a supplement to existing on-site Inspection Visits.

When a Metering System is selected for audit, the requirement for Inspection Visits to be carried out on-site (and for the Registrant and the Meter Operator Agent (MOA) to attend the Inspection Visit), is resource intensive for both the Technical Assurance Agent (TAA) to undertake and audited Parties to support.

The PAF Review reviewed the TAM technique from November 2018 to February 2019, with the findings of the review presented to the PAB on 28 February 2019. The PAB approved the review’s recommendations (TAM Recommendations Report (217/13)). One of the recommendations was to introduce Desktop Audits, as a lower intensity audit check. These would supplement onsite Inspection Visits as directed within the annual audit scope.

By amending the BSC and BSC Systems (namely the TAAMT) to facilitate Desktop Audits, Elexon can provide a flexible, pragmatic and cost-effective addition to onsite Inspection Visits. To facilitate the solution, Section L and BSCP27 will be amended to describe the high-level obligations and process detail for the undertaking of Desktop Audits respectively, while definitions of a Desktop Audit and On-Site Inspection will be introduced to Annex X-1.