Bulk Change of Non Half Hourly Agent

Glossary

This page explains how Bulk Change of Non Half Hourly Agent is designed to provide the BSC Panel and Performance Assurance Board (PAB) assurance that when responsibilities for large volumes of Non Half Hourly (NHH) Metering Systems change, it’s done in a controlled way.

How it relates to you

This technique is very rarely used so is unlikely to be one that you will experience. However, it is invoked whenever a Supplier wishes to carry out change of agent activities for a volume of Metering Systems exceeding a threshold determined by the Panel (currently 20,000 either, in any one SMRS or, in aggregate per working day).

The process is designed to check that the Supplier, Supplier Agent(s) and Supplier Metering Registration Agents (SMRAs) involved perform the necessary procedures appropriately so they don’t impact other Suppliers. This helps protect the integrity of Settlement.

Example of application form for Bulk Change of Non Half Hourly Agent

Bulk Changes of Agent are only carried out where the PAB or the Panel is satisfied that the Supplier, Supplier Agents and SMRAs involved can undertake the necessary procedures in a controlled and proficient manner.

The purpose is to avoid adversely impacting their daily operations and other Suppliers within the SMRS and to protect the integrity of Settlements.

The Bulk Change of Agent process is mandatory in general, whereas the Change of Agent is not.

Current Bulk Change activity

There is currently no Bulk Change of Agent activity in progress. Details will be provided on this page when an application is approved by the Performance Assurance Board.

Mandatory conditions

The process is mandatory where the number of NHH Metering Systems planned for the change of agent exceeds the threshold. This threshold is approved by the BSC Panel and is currently 20,000 either, in any one SMRS or, in aggregate per day.

The process takes two different paths:

Enforced

If a Supplier Agent breaches its contractual obligations, has its Qualified status removed, or goes into liquidation.

Where a Change of Agent is enforced, we encourage Suppliers to use the Bulk Change of Agent process even if the number of MSIDs migrated is below set threshold to add assurance to the process. The BSC Panel is notified about enforced changes.

Not Enforced

If a Supplier wishes to change Supplier Agent.

Applying for a Bulk Change of Agent

As part of an application to the PAB, the Supplier is required to provide a methodology statement for how it is processing the Bulk Change of Agent.

Checklist for Supplier’s applications

Elexon have produced a checklist of the questions that may be relevant to a Bulk Change of Agent application.

We will review the information to check that the methodology statement and associated documentation provided by the Supplier meets requirements.

Categories of questions to consider:

  • Migration Volumes and Timescales
  • Volume of Appointments
  • Project Management
  • System and Process Changes
  • Staffing, Training and Location Issues
  • Monitoring and Exception Management
  • Business as Usual Activity
  • Contingency and risk management

Application process

Applications to perform a Bulk Change of Agent are submitted to the PAB. The PAB considers a number of factors when reviewing an application:

  • Status of BSC Audit issues affecting the Supplier and Supplier Agents involved
  • Previous Bulk Change of NHH Agent applications
  • Other activities, e.g. re-Qualification applications
  • Their contingency plans

When an application is approved, the Supplier performs the Agent migration and we monitor the progress.

The Supplier confirms with us that Bulk Change of Agent is complete and may specify their actions to address any failures

About the Performance Assurance process

Bulk Change of Agent is a preventive technique in Elexon’s Performance Assurance Framework and relates to where responsibilities change for large volumes of Metering Systems.

BSC obligations

Section J of the BSC defines the role and function of the Party Agents and their Qualification under the Code. Further information is detailed in BSCP513 ‘Bulk Change of NHH Supplier Agent’.

My BSC

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