Consultation on DCC’s delivery plan for SMETS1 Services · Consultation on DCC’s delivery plan...

Consultation on DCC’s delivery plan for SMETS1 Services

Date: 12 May 2017

Classification: DCC PUBLIC

Consultation opens: 12 May 2017

Consultation closes: 26 May 2017

SMETS1 Planning Consultation

DCC PUBLIC Page 2 of 24

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3

2 Refining Delivery Options .................................................................................... 5

3 Overview of the Plan ............................................................................................. 7

4 SMETS1 Service Users - Activity and Engagement ......................................... 11

5 Assumptions, Dependencies and use of Contingency .................................... 12

6 Consultation process and next steps ............................................................... 13

7 List of consultation questions ........................................................................... 14

Annex A – Planned activity in detail .......................................................................... 15

Annex B – SMETS1 delivery plan – Milestone Table ................................................ 22

Annex C – Plans on a Page ......................................................................................... 23



1 Introduction

A number of energy suppliers are installing smart meters to optimise their preparations for

the main rollout stage of the Smart Metering Implementation Programme (SMIP). These

meters are, or will be, SMETS1 compliant and currently operate outside of the DCC. While

this approach has driven out early learnings and benefits, SMETS1 meters installed by one

energy supplier are not always supported by another’s systems. This sometimes results in

consumers losing their smart functionality when they switch energy suppliers.

DCC considers that there are important shared benefits for industry and consumers from the

enrolment of SMETS1 meters into a DCC Service; particularly the ability for all SMETS1

customers to maintain their smart services following a decision to switch suppliers.

In November 2016 DCC issued for consultation a study of feasible options for the enrolment

of SMETS1 meters into a new DCC SMETS1 Service – the draft Initial Enrolment Project

Feasibility Report (IEPFR) – in accordance with the requirements in Section N of the Smart

Energy Code (SEC). DCC’s consultation on the draft IEPFR closed on 20 January 2017, and

since then DCC has been considering consultation responses regarding stakeholders’

preferences for any new DCC SMETS1 Service. DCC has today submitted its final IEPFR to

BEIS, which is also published on the DCC website.1

On 18 January 2017 DCC received a Direction from the Secretary of State, in accordance

with Condition 13 of the Smart Meter Communication Licence (the Licence), to prepare a

plan for the delivery of services to support SMETS1 meters. As with all of the plans

developed in accordance with Condition 13 of the Licence, DCC is required to first consult

with the SEC Panel and all SEC Parties regarding the proposed content of the plan. This

consultation document constitutes DCC’s formal consultation on the plan for a SMETS1

Service in accordance with this requirement.

The closing date for responses is 26 May 2017.

This consultation describes the plan, and the approach proposed by DCC which will allow the

SMETS1 Service to be delivered in the most economic and efficient way possible. The plan

recognises that several options for delivery of a SMETS1 Service remain, as described in the

IEPFR.

The plan is set out across four distinct phases as follows:

An Initiation Phase – in which the DCC submits its final IEPFR to BEIS, to enable a

BEIS decision on the options set out in the IEPFR. Additionally during this phase DCC

continues its exploration of the SMETS1 market to further understand time and cost

implications of integration path options, technical feasibility and both new and existing

service provider capabilities and to prepare for a discovery phase;

A Discovery Phase – which sees further commercial negotiation and initial

development activity by Smart Meter System Operators (SMSOs), incumbent and new

1 https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/about-dcc/future-service-development/enrolment-and-adoption/

https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/about-dcc/future-service-development/enrolment-and-adoption/



Service Providers, enabling DCC to gauge capability and better inform BEIS as to

which delivery option(s) is/are most appropriate;

A Development Phase – where DCC commences development of Integration Path

solutions to improve understanding of delivery confidence and cost information and

including a BEIS checkpoint for decisions to proceed; and

A Transition & Enrolment phase – where DCC finalises the development and

integration testing of its solution(s), and suppliers carry out user integration testing with

the DCC before undertaking any necessary end-to-end testing and enrolment activities.

These phases are summarised in section 3 of this report and set out in more detail at Annex

A. A milestone table setting out planned dates for key activity is included at Annex B. A high

level (‘Level 0’) plan-on-a-page setting out these phases, with descriptions of the activities

expected to be undertaken by DCC and energy suppliers is set out at Annex C, alongside a

more detailed plan-on-a-page with additional workstream detail. This document also

considers the overall delivery confidence in the plan, and whether and how contingency

should be held and managed.

Throughout all of these phases DCC commits to ongoing consultation with energy suppliers

and other relevant stakeholders. This includes engagement on elements including user

facing design requirements and specifications; eligibility and timing for enrolment of specific

SMETS1 meter cohorts; and user testing. DCC recognises that all of these elements will

need to be captured in the Smart Energy Code (SEC) via changes delivered by BEIS,

therefore ultimately subject to decisions by BEIS.

Accordingly, we note that BEIS will remain the ultimate decision-maker in relation to the

design of the SMETS1 enrolment and adoption programme and carry out the following

activities:

development of changes to the ‘main body’ text of the SEC;

management of the SEC Subsidiary Documents (SSDs) and design baseline via the

Technical and Business Design Group (TBDG);

bringing the relevant SEC changes and SSDs into force at the appropriate times to

support activities such as testing and enrolment;

deciding on all design options including User Interface, Communication Services and

UTRN models; and

providing confirmation for DCC to provide a SMETS1 Service for specific meter

cohorts.



2 Refining Delivery Options

DCC’s draft IEPFR set out a number of options for how the existing SMETS1 infrastructure

and devices could be integrated into a DCC-provided SMETS1 Service. For some, such as

communications services and pre-payment options, decisions on which to incorporate into

the DCC SMETS1 Service will not affect the delivery plan. However, decisions relating to two

of the key areas where optionality existed will impact delivery. These are the User Interface

and the Integration Path.

User Interface

For the purpose of the proposed plan, DCC has assumed that User Interface Options 1

(DUIS-type provided by DSP) and 2 (DUIS Type provided by another party) from the IEPFR

remain open. DCC recognises the need for a timely delivery of its SMETS1 Service, and

considers that, were User Interface Option 3 (non-DUIS type) to be selected, the duration of

the requirements and design activity to specify the new SMETS1 message format (in

collaboration with stakeholders) would be excessively long. This would result in a delay to

the publication of a DCC SMETS1 User Interface Specification of at least 3 months. Should

BEIS require User Interface Option 3 to be progressed, then the DCC would need to update

its delivery plan. In the case of Options 1 and 2, optionality remains over whether this

interface is developed by the existing DSP or a new provider.

Integration Path

The IEPFR included options for DCC to integrate to incumbent SMSOs (Integration Path

option 5 in the IEPFR (IP5)), or for DCC to integrate to SMETS1 meters directly (Integration

Path option 4 in the IEPFR (IP4)), replacing the incumbent SMETS1 SMSOs with an

alternative solution. In addition, a hybrid approach where a mix of direct to SMSO and direct

to meter approaches is used for different meter cohorts was also deemed feasible.

The diagram overleaf sets out the key design optionality still under consideration by DCC.

The final design will include: one of the two user interface options; either reuse of existing

DSP functionality or the introduction of a new data services capability; either one, two or all

three of the integration paths between the data services capability and the meter; and one of

two UTRN generation solutions. In terms of decision making, none of these areas of

optionality are mutually exclusive i.e. any path from user through to meter is currently

considered viable.



The two User Interface and Integration Path options may employ different approaches to the

re-use or replacement of the incumbent SMETS1 SMSOs and existing DSP and could also

include a new service provider developing elements of the solution (e.g. the functionality that

converts DUIS/MMC messages to and from specific SMSO business language). In addition,

DCC recognises that a hybrid approach could ultimately be implemented. Which of the user-

facing options will ultimately be selected will be determined by BEIS following input from

DCC (and industry stakeholders) on technical feasibility considerations; delivery capability

and timing; commercial considerations; and the cost effectiveness of each approach. DCC

has already begun consideration of the integration options on a meter-cohort by meter-cohort

basis and proposes that this approach continues, to enable BEIS to make cohort-based

decisions to proceed, as indicated in the Development Phase on the plan.

The proposed plan sets out a number of parallel activities to reflect that options remain open

at this stage. The plan also highlights that DCC will be providing updates and improved

information to BEIS on cost and deliverability of the various options at relevant stages, which

will enable final BEIS decision(s).

DCC Users

DCC User Interface

SMETS1 CH

Ui

NEW DCC User

InterfaceSMETS1 CSPs

New Interface for SMSO /

SMETS1 Service

SMETS2 CSPs

DCC User InterfaceSMETS2

CH

IP

SMETS2

SMETS1

Ui1

Ui2

IP5a

IP5b

IP4

SMETS2 DSP

SMETS1 DSP

SMETS2 DSP

Key and Security Manager U

TRN

G

ener

ato

r

Device Translation

Comms Manager

Request Manager

SMSO

DUIS Format Request /

MMC Response

DUIS Format Request & Response

DCC Users

SMSO

PKI Manager

PKI Manager

Comms Manager

Request Manager

SMETS1 Service Provider

SMETS1 Service Provider

PP1

PP2

DSP Translation

Device Translation

Comms Manager

Request Manager

Device Translation

Comms Manager

Request Manager

DSP Translation

Device Translation

DSP

Translation

New



3 Overview of the Plan

This section summarises the expected activity in the 4 phases of the plan, which sets out a

number of parallel activities to drive out improved cost and delivery capability information to

support decision making by BEIS. The 4 phases reflect this by focussing on:

Initiation – starting high level design and user engagement while commencing initial

commercial discussions with the existing and potential providers of SMETS1 services –

the key milestone being a BEIS decision on which IEPFR options DCC should continue

to pursue;

Discovery – refining design products and using the June decisions from BEIS to drive

commercial negotiations towards contract finalisation and gaining insight into the

delivery capability of existing DSP, incumbent SMSOs and new service providers –

leading to the provision of updated information to BEIS on delivery options and costs;

Development – consulting with customers on SEC Subsidiary Document requirements

whilst undertaking core development and testing activity with new and or existing

service providers (with development and testing activity phased so that those that are

independent of the SEC requirements commence earlier, prior to baselining of the SEC

Subsidiary Documents); and

Transition and Enrolment – following BEIS direction to proceed, DCC will finalise

development and testing activity, prior to user testing and initial (and enduring) service

operations.

3.1 Initiation Phase

The Initiation Phase is currently underway and includes DCC’s finalisation of its analysis of

IEPFR responses, along with the continuation of a range of activities:

Design and Consultation – the activity that DCC will undertake as it develops and

refines its proposals for the design of the SMETS1 Service, and translates these into

proposed regulatory requirements for SEC Subsidiary Documents (SSDs). Customer

engagement and consultation will be key in ensuring these are fit-for-purpose.

Existing Data Service Provider Activity – initial technical and commercial

engagement with the Data Service Provider (DSP) regarding changes that may be

needed to enable the SMETS1 Service delivery options (e.g. new requirements for a

User Interface) should the existing DSP be selected to provide various services.

SMSO activity – planning work with the existing SMETS1 service providers, to gather

information regarding connectivity, service management and preferred methods of

contracting should they be selected to provide various services.

New provider activity – procurement of a software development partner to support

various aspects of the SMETS1 Service, should this be required.

Foundation Communications Service Provider (FCSP) activity – working with

existing SMETS1 FCSPs with the aim of getting updated indicative enduring pricing

and negotiating contracts for any services needed to support software development.



Network and Hosting Activity – working with the market with the aim of getting

updated indicative enduring pricing for hosting the SMETS1 Service and managing the

network connections for the SMETS1 Service.

The culmination of the Initiation Phase will be an initial decision from BEIS on the IEFPR that the DCC has submitted which will inform and refine DCC’s activities in the Discovery Phase. For planning purposes, we have assumed that BEIS will require approximately one month to consider the IEPFR and respond to DCC after submission.

User activity

During the Initiation Phase DCC will be continuing the ongoing bilateral engagement it has

been undertaking with prospective SMETS1 Service users as well as current and prospective

service providers.

Initiation Phase Milestones

Milestones in the Initiation phase of the plan include:

the submission of the final IEPFR to BEIS (published on 12 May 2017); and

a BEIS Decision to DCC by 16 June 2017.

3.2 Discovery Phase

The Discovery Phase comprises DCC’s continued and more intensive engagement with

prospective and existing service providers, including early development activity, to gauge

capability and cost-effectiveness of solutions, taking into account the outcome of the BEIS

Decision on IEPFR options in June. Workstream activity includes:

Design and Consult – BEIS has indicated to the DCC that it will itself take forward the

development of the main body SEC changes for the provision of the DCC SMETS1

service; with DCC developing and submitting to BEIS proposed requirements in SSDs.

DCC proposes to work with customers and other stakeholders to develop the proposed

high-level design(s) to inform BEIS’ drafting of the main body changes, and to develop

a first tranche of SSDs. DCC expects this first tranche to cover key ‘user-facing’ SSDs

with a consultation planned in September 2017. DCC will engage with stakeholders

throughout the Initiation Phase to define the scope of, and share timing for, subsequent

tranches of SSDs. DCC proposes that SSDs are consulted on, submitted to BEIS and

once approved by BEIS, then subject to change control via the transitional Technical

and Business Design Group before being introduced into the regulatory framework.

Existing DSP Activity – primary activities proposed include the conclusion of the DSP

Impact Assessment process. This will agree the operational costs and services for the

DSP elements of the enduring SMETS1 solution should the DSP be selected to

provide these services. The other key activity proposed is early DSP system

development work on elements of the proposed SMETS1 solution.

SMSO activity – negotiating contracts for enduring service provision from incumbent

SMSOs should IP5 be chosen. DCC is also expecting to contract with SMSOs to

undertake initial development work to inform BIES decision making. This development

work will aid in demonstrating capability of and confidence in prospective service

providers.



New provider activity – primary activities proposed are the early development of

aspects of the SMETS1 user interface (should BEIS select this as an option) and data

processing and message translation services, should the new provider be selected to

provide these services. Additionally early development of other services would take

place (for example key management services, security audit services etc.).

FCSP activity – negotiation of enduring communications service provision with

incumbent FCSPs.

Network and Hosting Activity – procurement of any new services required.

User activity

During the Discovery Phase DCC will be engaging with prospective users to support DCC’s

development of draft SSDs, so that they are suitably mature prior to formal consultation and

baselining. DCC would also expect that at this stage in the plan prospective users would

undertake assessments of the impacts to their businesses (in terms of system and process

changes and resource requirements) and engage with DCC on enrolment approach and

timing.

Discovery Phase Milestones

The key milestones in the Discovery Phase of the plan (and conclusion of the phase) are:

the submission of updated information on delivery capability and solution option costs

to BEIS following further engagement with prospective service providers on

24 August 2017 (to support final decision making in late 2017); and

the opening of a consultation on the first tranche of SMETS1 requirements in SSDs on

31 August 2017.

3.3 Development Phase

This phase of the plan covers the commencement of the core development activity (design,

build, test and release) that will be undertaken by DCC and selected SMETS1 Service

Providers. As DCC has yet to appoint service providers and the design decisions remain

open, it is not possible to set out a granular and precise delivery timetable for the

development activity required to deliver the SMETS1 Service. However, based on

engagement with stakeholders and (potential) Service Providers to date and our team’s

experience in IT delivery, DCC plans to:

be in a position to formally consult on the first tranche of SSD content;

be able to continue development and testing activity with potential Service Providers

(including SMSOs); and

regularly inform BEIS of all commercial developments, so that they can feed this

information into their industry wide cost-benefit analysis.

DCC expects that BEIS will use this information to undertake a final decision to proceed for

each meter cohort in late Q4 2017.

User activity



In the Development Phase prospective service users will need to support, where relevant,

the development of further SSD development activity, as well as providing formal responses

to consultations on first-tranche SSDs. It is during this phase that DCC envisages

prospective service users may commence development work on changes to their systems to

enable them to interface with DCC’s SMETS1 Service.

Development Phase Milestones

Milestones in the Development Phase of the plan include:

the baselining of the first tranche of SSDs on 31 October 2017; and

the provision of updated cost information to BEIS in November 2017

The end of this phase is a BEIS decision to proceed for each of the SMETS1 meter cohorts in late Q4 2017.

3.4 Transition and Enrolment

The final phase of the draft plan is Transition and Enrolment. In this phase, design, build,

development and test activity will continue, leading up to the SMETS1 Service reaching

‘Initial Operational Capability’ (IOC), which is the window of time during which DCC expect to

be able to offer a SMETS1 Service in respect of at least one cohort of SMETS1 meters.

There may be multiple releases of Operational Capability (to bring further cohorts on-

stream). The date of Operational Capability releases may therefore be cohort specific and

will depend, in part, on the integration path chosen. DCC has made a planning assumption

that the Final Operational Capability (where DCC is able to offer a SMETS1 Service in

respect of the final cohort) will follow 1 year after IOC.

User activity

In this phase it will be necessary for prospective users to execute the required changes to

their systems and processes to utilise the SMEST1 Service, and participate in testing prior to

migrating cohorts of meters.

Transition and Enrolment Phase Milestones

Milestones in the Transition and Enrolment Phase of the plan include:

earliest Initial Operational Capability from 27 Apr 2018 (or 31 August 2018 where all

contingency is used); and

earliest Final Operational Capability from 26 Apr 2019 (or 30 August 2019 where all

contingency is used).



4 SMETS1 Service Users - Activity and Engagement

It is DCC’s view that the SMETS1 Service must meet the needs of DCC’s customers. Not

only those who enrol SMETS1 Meters, but also those who take on enrolled SMETS1 meters

where consumers change supplier and other parties which may wish to access functionality

on enrolled meters.

4.1 Engagement on Design and Enrolment Matters

DCC recognises and understands the important of effective engagement with prospective

Users of the SMETS1 Service to inform its development. For those SMETS1 Service Users,

DCC will be continuing its bilateral engagement across the phases of the plan (as set out in

the User activity sections of Section 3, above). DCC will use this engagement to build an

understanding of when and how meters might be migrated into the SMETS1 Service. In

terms of decision making, DCC proposes that it continues to support user considerations of

these matters and feed user requirements and requests into BEIS (along with other relevant

considerations, such as impact on development, cost and risk).This will enable BEIS to make

final decisions based on assessment of this information, in the context of its wider smart

metering benefits case.

More broadly, input from all stakeholders will be sought across all phases, including formally

in response to consultations on products and proposals, at governance fora (i.e. SMDG, IMF

etc.), and working level engagement, such as DCC’s SMETS1 design forum (which will play

an analogous role to DCC’s Smart Metering Design Forum, and allow DCC and stakeholders

to consider SMETS1 related matters collectively during the design and delivery of the

service). The Direction received from BEIS to prepare this plan includes a requirement to

provide for reporting of progress to BEIS via the Implementation Managers Forum (IMF).

DCC welcomes this requirement, and proposes that key elements of this plan are

incorporated into the Joint Industry Plan managed by IMF. DCC are implementing

Government policy and by the programmes’ incorporation into BEIS’s Transitional

Governance structure, DCC expects that plan progress is reported to the Smart Metering

Delivery Group (SMDG), and where required issues and risks are escalated from IMF to

SMDG for consideration. BEIS has previously indicated that a new sub-group of the

Technical and Business Design Group (TBDG) will be convened to focus on matters

specifically relating to SMETS1, and DCC expects to be regularly and fully involved in this

forum, updating on design progress and sharing design artefacts for discussion.

DCC will ensure that internal governance aligns with external engagement by ensuring the

SMETS1 Programme Director attends SMDG. Internal DCC governance is overseen by a

DCC Programme Board chaired by the Programme Director with a representative from BEIS

invited to attend. This board is supported by an Enrolment and Adoption Forum where DCC

and BEIS meet bilaterally to consider risks and issues, and tracks progress against the plan.

4.2 Engagement on Security matters

BEIS will provide direction as to the acceptable residual risk of the enrolment options and the

associated security controls that DCC should adopt when enrolling and adopting SMETS1

Services and it will be necessary for DCC to accommodate this within their solution. DCC

was required to consider security risks under section N2.10 of the SEC in the development of



the IEPFR. In complying with the requirement, DCC has engaged with industry experts on

security matters through the SEC Panel’s Security Sub-Committee (SSC) during its

development of the IEPFR (as specifically required in Section N2.12 of the SEC). DCC sees

great value in continuing and increasing its dialogue with the SSC to share and discuss

security information with industry stakeholders that it could not do via public consultation.

DCC therefore proposes to request to the SEC Panel that it maintains engagement with the

SSC and shares security related elements of consultations with them, in the same way it has

done for the consultation and review of its IEPFR material.

5 Assumptions, Dependencies and use of Contingency

DCC has captured a series of core assumptions on which the plan is built, as well as the key

external activities and milestones which are outside the control of DCC, on which successful

delivery of these phases depends. These are as follows:

Assumptions:

DCC Delivery Approach – DCC deploys an iterative, flexible development approach

where delivering new capability and as opportunities allow for other elements of the

service whilst building in the need for consultation with, and an approach that works

for, DCC’s stakeholders.

There is no dependency between finalising high level requirements and

procuring new capability, as this procurement activity is covering base development

capability and as such these activities can run in parallel.

Similarly, there is no dependency between a BEIS IEPFR June decision and

procuring new capability

A User Interface which uses the DCC User Interface Specification message

format is selected as part of the IEPFR options decision – DCC will capture only

detailed requirements and design for User Interface options 1 and 2 (DUIS-based

interfaces), and not option 3 (‘new’ non-DUIS interface). DCC considers that were User

Interface Option 3 to be selected, the duration of the requirements and design activity

would be extended relative to that shown in DCC's delivery plan, resulting in a delay to

the publication of a DCC SMETS1 User Interface Specification of at least 3 months.

That the timely delivery of milestones in this plan can be achieved in the context

of the testing environments available and the various DCC System Releases

scheduled during lifetime of the plan, and that any related risks that are identified can

be mitigated or retired.

Where DCC integrates to an incumbent SMSO, there are initially no material changes

required to the SMSO technical security model.



Dependencies:

Energy Suppliers, SMETS1 SMSOs/CPSs and prospective Software developers

engage with DCC to enable DCC to provide robust cost information to inform

decisions on the makeup of the SMETS1 Service prior to the Transition & Enrolment

Phases.

Energy Suppliers, SMETS1 SMSOs/CPSs, the SMETS2 DSP and prospective

Software developers support DCC’s iterative design, build, test and release

process.

BEIS decisions are undertaken in a timely manner in accordance with the plan,

accepting that prior agreed information has been exchanged in accordance with the

plan.

DCC has developed this plan based on best-case delivery timescales for the key elements

within it. Noting the outstanding optionality contained within it, DCC’s dependency on other

industry participants’ engagement in delivering it and on BEIS in the form of timely decision

making and direction, DCC proposes that 4 months’ time contingency be held against the

plan, managed by DCC but drawn-down only after industry consultation recognising the

impacts this may have on supplier and wider stakeholder plans. DCC proposes this is done

through IMF and SMDG given their role and oversight of industry delivery as a whole.

Noting the lack of granularity in the plan beyond 2017, DCC expects those elements of the

plan will be subject to revision at regular points, to reflect IEPFR options decisions,

stakeholder feedback from consultations, updated assumptions, and in light of negotiations

with prospective service providers. However, DCC would like to note that any review would

take place in accordance with the requirements of Condition 13 of the DCC Licence (e.g.

following direction by BEIS to undertake a review). At this stage in the delivery of the

programme, taking into account the dependencies listed above, there is no evidence to

suggest that DCC should require further time than that factored into a contingent plan (i.e.

that IOC would commence no later than August 2018).

Following consultation and approval of the proposed plan by BEIS, DCC proposes to work

with IMF members to incorporate the key elements of the SMETS1 plan into the Joint

Industry Plan.

6 Consultation process and next steps

This consultation closes on 26 May 2017. Please email your response to

[email protected].

Contents of responses may be (where not marked confidential) shared with other

stakeholders. Please state whether all or any part of your response is confidential. Please

note that responses in their entirety (including any text marked confidential) will be shared

with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and may be made

available to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (the Authority).

If you have any questions in relation to this consultation, please contact Tom Rothery on

[email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



7 List of consultation questions

Q1

Please provide your views on DCC’s proposed approach to delivery, for

example whether the phases are appropriate and the parallel activity with

prospective SMETS1 Service Providers. ?

Q2 Do you think the milestones in the plan are appropriate – are there any

additional milestones you would expect to see at this stage?

Q3 Please provide your overall views on the timetable for the plan. DCC is

specifically interested in views relating to timing and assumptions

underpinning user readiness for test activity.

Q4 Do you agree with the assumptions and dependencies set out in the

consultation? Please provide a rationale for your views. Are there others

which have not been included?

Q5 Please provide any comments you have on the proposals for user

engagement.



Annex A – Planned activity in detail

Further detail on the activities and milestones within each phase is provided below.

1 Initiation Phase

The Initiation Phase is currently underway and involves DCC’s finalisation of its analysis of

IEPFR responses, along with the continuation of a range of activities across the work-areas

(and swim-lanes in the plan) described below.

Design and Consultation

The Design and Consult swim-lane sets out the activity that DCC will undertake as it

develops and refines the design of the SMETS1 Service, and translates these into regulatory

requirements in SEC Subsidiary Documents (SSDs). Customer engagement will be key in

ensuring these are fit-for-purpose. In the Initiation Phase, DCC will continue high-level design

activity, which covers the development of high-level requirements for the SMETS1 system as

a whole. Many of these requirements relate to the user-facing elements of the plan, (for

example, the user-interface for the SMETS1 Service, and those relating to any pre-payment

Unique Transaction Reference Number (UTRN) generation that forms part of the service)

and during this phase DCC will begin the process of developing and sharing draft high-level

design proposals with stakeholders. DCC proposes to do this via a regular SMETS1 User

Forum, which will be analogous in form and function to DCC’s Smart Metering Design

Forum, and provides a means for DCC to share initial thinking with industry, and for industry

to support the refinement of DCC’s proposals.

Existing Data Service Provider Activity

To enable delivery of the SMETS1 Service as quickly as possible, DCC has commenced

initial engagement with its Data Service Provider (DSP) regarding changes that may be

needed to enable the SMETS1 Service (e.g. new requirements for a User Interface). These

have taken the form of two concurrent information requests, as follows:

A Preliminary Assessment, covering the modification of the existing DSP SMETS2

service to support SMETS1, which will deliver:

a more detailed view of technical feasibility;

refined estimate of the timescales that would be required for the implementation

of the Change;

a “rough order of magnitude” cost to design, build, test and release the modified

DSP service;

a “rough order of magnitude” impact on the cost to operate the DSP service;

a fixed price for the initial preparation, negotiation and finalisation of an Impact

Assessment; and

the timescales for the initial preparation and delivery of an Impact Assessment;

and

A Project Request, to agree the project to undertake design, build, test and release of

modification of the existing DSP SMETS2 service to support SMETS1.

The DSP will also undertake a project to define:



Modifications needed to the DCC User Gateway Interface Design Specification

(DUGIDS) to accommodate SMETS1 Meters; and

A generic SMETS1 Interface Specification (between DSP and SMETS1 service

providers).

SMSO activity

In the Initiation Phase of this swim-lane DCC proposes to increase its planning work with

energy suppliers and the SMETS1 service providers with whom they contract, to gather

information regarding:

connectivity, service management and adoption preferences of market participants

(which would include planning for moving commercial management of meters from

suppliers to DCC and tri-partite negotiation and planning for commercial management

of enrolled meters; and

preferences for sequencing in any staged transition, and the rate at which enrolment of

meters might take place (in conjunction with taking similar views from energy

suppliers).

DCC will work with SMSOs with the aim of:

getting updated indicative enduring pricing from them; and

negotiating software development contracts (signature will be subject to the outcome of

the first BEIS Decision milestone).

SMSOs will also be invited to assist with the DSP provider project to define:

Modifications needed to DUGIDS to accommodate SMETS1 Meters; and

A generic SMETS1 Interface Specification (between DSP and SMETS1 service

providers).

New provider activity

DCC’s view is that it should procure a software development partner to support the SMETS1

Service, because there are elements of the DCC SMETS1 Service that do not currently exist

in DCC Systems including, but not limited to:

the functionality required to translate service requests submitted to DCC by Users into

the relevant SMSO service request format or SMETS1 device command;

interfaces to SMSOs and/or SMETS1 FCSPs; and

the functionality required to generate prepayment UTRNs for SMETS1 Meters.

In the period to early June, DCC will therefore undertake a procurement to select a Software

Development provider to support the development of any new capability not being provided

by existing DCC service providers or by SMSOs. This activity will include:

getting updated indicative build pricing from the market; and

negotiating a software development contract capable of signature by early June

(signature will be subject to the outcome of the BEIS Initial Options Decision

milestone).

Foundation Communications Service Provider (FCSP) activity



In the period to early June, DCC will work with existing SMETS1 FCSPs with the aim of:

Getting updated indicative enduring pricing from them; and

Negotiating contracts for any services needed to support software development.

Network and Hosting Activity

Through this activity, DCC will work with the market with the aim of getting updated indicative

enduring pricing for hosting the SMETS1 Service and managing the network connections for

the SMETS1 Service.

User activity

During the Initiation Phase DCC will be continuing the ongoing bilateral engagement is has

been undertaking with prospective SMETS1 Service users as well as current and prospective

service providers. It will be necessary for prospective users to support DCC by assessing

and steering the development of high-level design during this period.

Initiation Phase Milestones

Milestones in the Initiation phase of the plan include:

the submission of the final IEPFR to BEIS (published on 12 May 2017); and

a BEIS Decision to DCC on 16 June 2017.

The culmination of the Initiation Phase will be a decision from BEIS on delivery option(s)

which will inform and refine DCC’s activities in the Discovery Phase.

2 Discovery Phase

The Discovery Phase comprises DCC’s continued and more intensive engagement with

prospective and existing service providers to gauge capability and cost-effectiveness of

solutions, taking into account the outcome of the BEIS Decision on IEPFR options in June.

DCC will work closely with these parties to refine the information which will inform further

decisions on the composition of the SMETS1 Service and enabling delivery work to

commence.

Design and Consult

User facing requirements for the SMETS1 Service will need to be embodied within changes

to the SEC, both in the main body of the SEC and in new or amended SEC Subsidiary

Documents (SSDs).

BEIS has notified DCC that it does not intend to direct DCC under Section N5.1 of the SEC

to prepare Initial Enrolment Code Amendments, instead intending to develop supporting

amendments to the ‘main body’ of the SEC itself.

DCC supports this approach, given BEIS’s greater expertise in this space, and on that basis,

the proposed plan for consultation places responsibility for main body code amendments on

BEIS. However, recognising that the technical expertise for developing the detailed interface

design (set out in SEC Subsidiary Documents such as DUIS) lies with the DCC, DCC

proposes that it develops proposed drafting for any new SSDs, or changes to existing

subsidiary documents, that are required for the SMETS1 Service.



During the Discovery Phase DCC proposes to work with customers and other stakeholders

to develop the high-level design(s) into a first tranche SSDs, in readiness for a formal

consultation on this content. DCC expects this first tranche to include the key documents that

will enable Users to commence their own system designs, primarily the DCC User Interface

Specification (DUIS), although others may be included.

Whilst this first tranche of SSD requirements is developed, DCC will continue to work on the

design of other components of the service. DCC will engage with stakeholders throughout

the Initiation Phase to define the scope of, and share timing for, subsequent tranches of

SSDs and their proposed consultation dates. DCC anticipates that the plan is updated as

timelines for further tranches are clear.

DCC proposes that SSDs are consulted on, approved by BEIS, and then subject to change

control via the transitional Technical and Business Design Group before being introduced

into the regulatory framework.

Existing DSP Activity

There are three primary activities in this area during the Discovery Phase:

In Q3 2017, subject to the outcome of the BEIS Options Decision milestone, DCC

commence the DSP Impact Assessment process to agree the operational costs and

services for the DSP elements of the enduring SMETS1 solution;

DCC may require updates to the other, secondary, components of its Data Services

that are not provided by the DSP (e.g. Smart Key Infrastructure) – any change

requests required for this will be managed in parallel and are not expected to be on the

critical path; and

Following approval of the Project Request raised in the Initiation Phase, the DSP will

commence early system development work on elements of the proposed SMETS1

solution. This enables DSP to work towards the enduring solution but also provides

useful benchmarking of its delivery capability and its performance will be an input into

the proposed 24 August 2017 submission of additional information to BEIS.

SMSO activity

In the period from early June to mid-August 2017, DCC intends to negotiate contracts for

enduring service provision from incumbent SMSOs – although we recognise that contract

finalisation may extend beyond this period. It is our assumption that DCC can finalise

positions with service providers in advance of BEIS decision points where materiality is low

and DCC can demonstrate that it is economically efficient to do so. DCC intends to engage

with BEIS on the materiality thresholds to ensure that due process is followed.

DCC is also expecting SMSOs to undertake initial development work in this phase (e.g. the

functionality to convert DUIS-type messages into their own business language). As with the

DSP and new service provider this activity enables earliest possible service delivery and

provides information on delivery capability as well as cost. This information will be passed to

BEIS to inform their understanding of the delivery timescales and risks associated with the

decision on enrolment of eachSMETS1 cohort.



New provider activity

Primary activity proposed is the early development of aspects of the SMETS1 user interface

(should BEIS select this as an option). In addition, DCC may require other, secondary,

services (for example key management services, security audit services etc.) – any

procurements required for this will be managed in parallel and are not expected to be on the

critical path.

FCSP activity

In the period from early June to mid-August, DCC will aim to negotiate enduring

communications service provision with incumbent FCSPs. The outcome of these

negotiations including proposed costs and key commercial arrangements will be shared with

BEIS.

Network and Hosting Activity

In Q3 2017 DCC intends to procure any new services required. Prior to procurement

information will be shared with BEIS to inform their final decision on the composition of the

SMETS1 Service.

User activity

During the Discovery Phase DCC will be engaging with prospective users to support DCC’s

development of draft SSDs, so that they are suitably mature prior to formal consultation and

baselining. DCC would also expect that at this stage in the plan prospective users would

undertake assessments of the impacts to their businesses (in terms of system and process

changes and resource requirements) and engage with DCC on preferred enrolment

approach and timing.

Discovery Phase Milestones

Milestones in the Discovery Phase of the plan include:

the submission of updated information to BEIS following further engagement with

prospective service providers on 24 August 2017; and

the opening of a consultation on the first tranche of SMETS1 requirements in SSDs on

31 August 2017.

3 Development Phase

This phase of the plan covers the commencement of the main core development (design,

build, test and release) that will be undertaken by DCC and selected SMETS1 Service

Providers. At this stage in the development of the plan, recognising the ongoing commercial

and technical work that will inform BEIS’s decisions on options that will follow, it is not

possible to set out a granular and precise delivery timetable for the SMETS1 Service.

However, DCC expects that at the start of this phase of activity, it will be in a position to

formally consult on the first tranche of SSD content.

DCC also considers that at the start of this phase it will be able to continue development and

testing activity with potential Service Providers (including SMSOs).



DCC proposes that during this phase, BEIS are kept informed of all commercial

developments, so that they can feed this information into their final policy analysis and

considerations for the SMETS1 Service. DCC expects that BEIS will use this information to

undertake a final decision for each meter cohort by the end of Q4 2017.

User activity

In the Development Phase prospective service users will need to support, where relevant,

the development of further SSD development activity, as well as providing formal responses

to consultations on first-tranche SSDs. It is during this phase that DCC envisages

prospective service users will commence development work on changes to their systems to

enable them to interface with DCC’s SMETS1 Service. DCC proposes that it works with

each energy supplier to develop a shared view of the operating model for that supplier’s

meters. DCC expects that the operating model will address at least the following areas:

Establishing the demand for DCC services and the pattern of usage; and

Planning for testing.

Development Phase Milestones

Milestones in the Development Phase of the plan include:

the baselining of the first tranche of SSDs on 31 October 2017; and

the provision of updated cost information to BEIS on 17 November 2017

The end of this phase follows BEIS go/no go decision for each of the SMETS1 meter cohorts in late Q4 2017.

4 Transition and Enrolment

The final phase of the draft plan is the Transition and Enrolment. In this phase, design, build,

development and test activity will continue, leading up to the SMETS1 Service reaching

‘Initial Operational Capability’ (IOC), which is when DCC expect to be able to offer a

SMETS1 Service in respect of one or more cohorts of SMETS1 meters. Based on the

engagement undertaken with stakeholders in the Initiation Phase to date, coupled with

DCC’s learnings from its Enrolment Options Testing (EOT) project, DCC expects that the

date at which IOC will be ready for cohorts of meters is dependent on two key factors:

the integration path chosen, because the critical path depends on the IEPFR

integration path and other options chosen, and

the particular requirements and constraints of the stakeholders for each meter cohort.

For integration path 5b the critical path is primarily driven by indicative timescales from

SMSOs for the necessary changes to their interfaces to support the translation of:

inbound ‘DUIS-like’ service requests; and

outbound responses/alerts into ‘MMC-like’ output format with a DUIS wrapper.

DCC expects that SMSOs are likely to also need to make changes to underlying data

structures within their Head End Systems to enable this translation, and may need to add



new low level device commands to fully support the SMETS1 core communication services

(subject to BEIS’ decision on the core service offering).

For integration paths 4 and 5a however, the critical path is primarily driven by new service

provision in which the DCC SMETS1 Service performs translation of DUIS-like service

requests into the relevant device command protocol or current SMSO interface format, and

of device and SMSO responses and alerts into MMC-like output format with a DUIS wrapper.

This minimises changes for SMSOs and EOT has provided a good initial evidence base for

the timeline to develop the translation layer both for devices and SMSOs, which will be

refined further through the Initiation, Discovery and Development phases.

User activity

In this phase it will be necessary for prospective users to execute the required changes to

their systems and processes to utilise the SMEST1 Service. Prospective service users will

then need to undertake testing, execute operational transition and prepare for service

operation and management. Following conclusion of service testing, and requisite readiness

checks and gateways undertaken, the DCC SMETS1 service will then be declared live. DCC

SMETS1 service users will then be able to conclude their own testing and service readiness

processes in readiness for enrolment and participate in the testing prior to connecting to the

service and migrating cohorts of meters.

Transition and Enrolment Phase Milestones

Milestones in the Transition and Enrolment Phase of the plan include:

earliest Initial Operational Capability from 27 April 2018 (or 31 August 2018 where all

contingency is used); and

earliest Final Operational Capability from 26 April 2019 (or 30 August 2019 where all

contingency is used).



Annex B – SMETS1 delivery plan – Milestone Table

DCC proposes that the following milestones form the plan that DCC must take all

reasonable steps to implement; in accordance with Condition 13 of the Licence (should the

Secretary of State approve the plan).

ID Milestone/event Description Date

1 IEPFR submission Issue of final document updated following

consultation 12 May 17

2 LC13 Plan published for

consultation

Issue of document to SEC Parties for

consultation 12 May 17

BEIS Options Decision Initial decision from BEIS on delivery option(s)

which will inform and refine DCC’s activities in

the Discovery Phase

16 Jun 17

3 Updated Information from DCC

to BEIS (1)

DCC to provide BEIS with available

information to support decision-making 24 Aug 17

4 Tranche 1 SSDs consultation

starts

First period of consultation engagements

begins 31 Aug 17

5 Tranche 1 SSDs consultation

closes

First period of consultation engagements

closes 31 Oct 17

6 Updated Information from DCC

to BEIS (2)

DCC to provide BEIS with available

information to support decision-making 17 Nov 17

BEIS Direction BEIS to provide direction to DCC to proceed

on a per cohort basis 9 Dec 17

7 Initial Operating Capability (1

st

Cohort)

Earliest delivery of DCC operational readiness

to provide a SMETS1 service in relation to the

at least one meter cohort

27 Apr 18

7a Contingent Initial Operating

Capability (1st Cohort)

Contingent earliest delivery of DCC operational

readiness (using 4 months contingency

allocation)

31 Aug 18

8 Final Operating Capability

Earliest delivery of DCC operational readiness

to provide a SMETS1 service in relation to the

final meter cohort (12 months after 1st cohort)

26 Apr 19

8a Contingent Final Operating

Capability

Contingent earliest delivery of DCC operational

readiness to provide a SMETS1 service in

relation to the final meter cohort (using 4

months contingency allocation)

30 Aug 19

Numbered milestones constitute those which form part of the formal plan that DCC proposes is

submitted to the Secretary of State and against which progress is assessed



Annex C – Plans on a Page

Level 0 plan



Level 1 plan

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