CSSConnect a flexible adapter service for the Faster ... · Switching Growth: There is an industry...

CSSConnect – a flexible adapter service for the Faster Switching Programme

| 2 | ElectraLink confidential | ©ElectraLink 2019FS 559738 EMS 559739 IS 619353

Background

• Ofgem’s Central Switching Service (CSS) aims to radically transform current switching arrangements and deliver faster, more reliable switching for consumers

• ElectraLink has been involved with Ofgem’s CSS programme since its inception, and believe this programme will bring benefits for market participants and consumers alike

• ElectraLink has developed a flexible adaptor service, which we are calling CSSConnect, operating through the Data Transfer Service (DTS)

• This service will provide a toolset that aligns with the adapter option (Option-3) set out within the DCC’s Switching Programme; Network Access Options Paper dated 23-July.

• CSSConnect is being built on ElectraLink's Energy Market Data Hub (EMDH) platform, with a deployment schedule that is aligned with the DCC programme plan for CSS.

• CSSConnect will be provided under the existing regulated agreement (DTSA), which is overseen by the DTS User Group. This means that, as User of the DTS, you will be able to connect to the new switching services using your existing connectivity method under the existing DTS Agreement.

CSSConnect provides our customers who must adapt to Ofgem’s Faster Switching operation with options to reduce risk, cost and complexity within their technical

change route into Faster Switching.

CSSConnect

https://electralinkltd.createsend1.com/t/i-l-pthukuy-l-y/


Enable secure, near real-time sharing of information between switching parties

Reduce cost to users by re-using existing infrastructure and removing the need to integrate with an additional network

Reduce risk to users by re-using an existing service that is proven and reliable

Provide a platform for future innovation

CSSConnect design principles


CSSConnect reduces the impact of CSSP

CSSP will bring many benefits to the energy market and to consumers, but it also brings challenges to market participants. CSSConnect will assist by limiting the scale and complexity of your IT systems changes that will be needed to comply with Faster Switching rules.

New, flexible technology platform

Open standards based

New, event driven processes

Ability to link existing fuels

Dual-fuel centric

High cadence

Platform for future enhancement

Create APIs

Create new messages

Batch processing change

Relax validation

Build auditable processes

Manage new processes

Link existing fuels

Implement message signing

Implement new connectivity

Deliver consequential change

Switching Service(CSSP principles)

Requirements on CSSP participants without

CSSConnect

Limited batch processing change

Relax validation

Link existing fuels

Deliver consequential change

Requirements on CSSP participants with

CSSConnect


CSSConnect options

After extensive consultation, we have now established our customers’ needs, and we will offer two options within CSSConnect. Both options minimise the amount of work you need to do to connect to the CSS platform.

CSSConnect

Simple Transport ServiceElectraLink will handle CSS connectivity and security. Just send us JSON in a file

Abacus Transport ServiceElectraLink will handle connectivity and security. Just send us the data required in Flow format


CSSConnect options - in focus

You generate New-format files that contain messages in JSON format and transmit them via the existing DTS gateway. CSSConnect will unpack the file, sign and send the message to the CSS platform. Response messages will be returned to you by converting them back to files and returning them via the DTS.

CSSConnect handles• Security• Connectivity• Error handling and Retries• Audit and Logging

Simple Transport ServiceYou generate New-format files that contain all content required to produce a CSS message, and transmit them via the DTS. CSSConnect will convert each file to JSON, sign and send the message to the CSS Platform. Response messages will be returned to you as Flow-style messages via the DTS.

CSSConnect handles:• Security• Connectivity• JSON message creation• Error handling and Retries• Audit and Logging

Abacus Transport Service


Changes CSSConnect customers need to make

You will need to do the following when using the Simple Transport Service:

• Creation of JSON message data• Generate specific data to

support dual-fuel transactions• Process changes to align with

new switching programme• Develop systems and process

for Gas Consequential changes

Simple Transport Service

You will need to do the following when using the Abacus Transport Service:

• Creation of New-format message data

• Generate specific data to support dual-fuel transactions

• Process changes to align with new switching programme

• Develop systems and process for Gas Consequential changes

Abacus Transport Service


Simple Transport Service – process

Message Creation

JSON created in files including additional data required

Message Translation

Convert the message into a formatted and validated JSON structure

Message Authentication

Sign the message using the appropriate certificate

Message Transmission

Send the message securely to CSS

Response Handling

Receiving secure message responses from CSS


Abacus Transport Service – process

Message Creation

Flow-type files created with all the necessary data elements to create a JSON message

Message Translation

Validate the data structure and convert the message into a formatted and validated JSON structure

Message Authentication

Sign the message using the appropriate certificate

Message Transmission

Send the message securely to CSS

Response Handling

Receiving secure message responses from CSS


Knowing your IT strategy/roadmap in the short and long

term is the best place to start when

evaluating which CSSConnect option is right for your business

needs.

• We have an IT strategy and roadmap that has incremental change over the next 3 years

• We understand the need for the industry to change, but are concerned about the implications this will have on our IT estate

• We have the ability to make some small changes to our IT estate

• Our IT Systems do not support JSON message creation

• We want support for future trends in the industry

• We recognise the value in using our existing connectivity options

Choose Option 2Abacus Transport Service

• We have an IT strategy and roadmap to futureproof our business

• We recognise that the Faster Switching programme is the first of a wave of changes to how the industry needs to operate

• We have the capability to change and adapt our IT estate

• Our IT estate will support JSON message creation

• We want support for future trends in the industry

• We recognise the value in using our existing connectivity options

Choose Option 1Simple Transport Service

Choose which set of statements most reflects how your business operates at this moment in time

How to choose a CSSConnect Option


Delivery timelines


Costs


The cost of using CSSConnect

Development costs of CSSConnectThrough a process of consultation with the DTS User group, we can confirm that the development and operating costs of the service is included in the DTS charges for 2020 and beyond.

Cost of switching using CSSConnectChoosing to use CSSConnect will cost the incremental data volumes sent across the DTS multiplied by the published DTS traffic charge of £1.94 per Mb of data. ElectraLink estimates that the incremental data volumes generated by the use of CSSConnect will cost users £100-£1,000 per annum in DTS charges depending on market share and growth.

1

2

3 The future cost of the CSSConnectThe DTS traffic charge is fixed annually by ElectraLink which means that the DTS traffic charge could go up or down. The DTS traffic charge is recalculated every year depending on annual data volumes and costs. We expect that the inclusion of CSS traffic will lower the DTS traffic charge as overall volumes are expected to increase but the underlying cost of the DTS is fixed.


The detailed of the calculation of the cost of using CSSConnect

Switching Growth:

There is an industry trend of increased customer switching since 2014 (1). ElectraLink’s planning assumption is that this will continue at a rate between +10-15% annually.

Fast Switching Market Impact:

The costings below are based on the assumption that faster switching services will also present opportunities to suppliers and customers to increase customer switching, adding another +20% to switching numbers at introduction.

Typical Costs Per MPAN/MPR:

Taking these expected switching trends along with supplier level analysis, ElectraLink expects CSSConnect users to have a typical switching cost of between £0.10 to £0.70 per 1,000 meter points depending on size and growth factors.

Typical Costs per DNO:

Based on these figures, DNOs should expect costs to increase by between £300 and £1,500 per annum

Annual Cost Description Total Meter PointsTypical Cost Per 1,000

Meter PointsMPAN + MPR

Typical Annual

Cost

£500 to £1,000 Big 6 + high growth suppliers 1.5m to 13m £0.20 Example 1 3m £600

£100 to £500 Medium sized + growing suppliers 200k to 3m £0.25 Example 2 750k £188

< £100 Small sized suppliers < 300k £0.40 Example 3 150K £60

1) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/quarterly-domestic-energy-switching-statistics


Frequently asked

questions


Supplier/shipper questions

Q How will flows be mapped from and to CSS messages?

A ElectraLink has mapped the flows necessary to support the change of supply process for electricity, gas and dual-fuel changes. We are happy to provide this to interested parties.

Q How will a supplier/shipper continue to use flows that have been deprecated from the Flow Catalogue?

A ElectraLink already supports flow definitions outside of the main DTC to enable bi-lateral communications. Two options exist to satisfy this solution :1. Augment existing flows with additional required fields.2. Create new flow types e.g. D0055A with new fields added to support the CSS process.

Q Can I create JSON messages and send those via the DTN for signing and onward delivery?

A The CSSConnect solution is designed to handle this scenario.

Q Will CSSConnect handle the consequential changes for the CSS Process too?

A The consequential changes for gas will need to be handled by the shipper and supplier in line with the new file types; ElectraLink has documented how this will work in supplier and shipper scenarios.



Q How will security operate on the platform?

A All security functions required by the CSS operation are designed into ElectraLink’s new Energy Market Data Hub platform upon which the CSSConnect product will be delivered. This meets the specified requirements for data in transit and at rest.

Q What IT changes will suppliers need to make outside of the gas consequential changes and flows provided via the DTN?

A ElectraLink anticipates minimal changes to systems • Some extra data items will be required within the existing flows. e.g. Dual Fuel references in both

Gas and Electricity flows• An increase in batch frequency will be necessary to enable intra-day processing of flows

Q What order will flows be processed in?

A Flows will be processed in the order in which they arrive. Where correlation is required, the solution will wait for additional info.

Q What SLAs will there be for the solution?

A The CSSConnect solution will meet the SLAs for processing, and will be largely driven by supplier processes



Q How will CSSConnect handle Gas information

A CSSConnect will be able to provide you gas files in the format you receive them in today. However, certain mandatory data items, not currently available to ElectraLink cannot be provided, therefore file validation checks may need to be relaxed. We advise that a supplier should carry out an impact assessment to understand any downstream implications.

Q Will CSSConnect support single fuel (electricity only)?

A Yes. However, if you wish to operate in a dual-fuel OFAF manner, then this is not currently supported by CSSConnect.


DNO related questions

Q How will header information appear if the Flow Transport Option is used?

A Additional fields will be created within the JSON Structure that will contain the original message headers. The exact structure of these fields is yet to be defined.

Q How will CSSConnect support the data migration?

A The CSSConnect adaptor is a product that supports the ongoing use of the CSS services.However, ElectraLink would be happy to assist on migration use cases.

Q What reports or data could be provided to support existing monthly switching churn information?

A We are yet to define the full suite of reporting and data requirements that could be provided and would welcome discussion to develop our use cases.


Contact us if you would like to find out more about CSSConnect

If you are interested in learning more about CSSConnect, please email [email protected]

Date post:	25-Aug-2020
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