Governance & Change

The Balancing and Settlement Code is governed by the BSC Panel and a number of committees and industry groups. They meet regularly to fulfil the duties of the BSC and discuss issues arising from day to day operations. Part of this includes how changes to the BSC itself, Code Subsidiary Documents and BSC Systems are developed, assessed and implemented.

Governance


	The BSC Panel meets monthly and is charged with ensuring that the provisions of the BSC are given effect “fully, promptly, fairly, economically, efficiently, transparently and in such a manner as will promote effective competition in the generation, supply, sale and purchase of electricity.”

The BSC Panel has established six Panel Committees to support it in fulfilling its various duties, and a number of industry groups also meet regularly to discuss issues arising from the BSC. Membership of the committees and groups is drawn from the industry. They are chaired and supported by ELEXON.


	BSC Panel Committees Credit Committee Imbalance Settlement Group (ISG) Performance Assurance Board (PAB) Q8 Committee Supplier Volume Allocation Group (SVG) Trading Disputes Committee (TDC)


	Other Industry Groups Cross-Codes Electricity Forum Technical Assurance of Metering Expert Group (TAMEG) Unmetered Supplies User Group (UMSUG) Software Technical Advisory Group (STAG) Supplier Agents' Forum (SAF) Profiling and Settlement Review Group (PSRG)

You can submit an application to volunteer for a committee or group here, and current members can learn how to submit expense claims here.

Change and Implementation

Section F of the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) defines the requirements for developing, assessing and implementing proposals to amend the BSC arrangements.

How does the Balancing and Settlement Code get altered?

A Modification Proposal must be raised to alter the BSC.

Modification Proposals can be raised by any BSC Party (except ELEXON), Ofgem, and the National Consumer Council. In limited circumstances, the BSC Panel may also raise one.


	Modification Workgroups are set up to evaluate and define Modification Proposals. The Workgroups consist of industry experts, a member appointed by the party proposing the Modification Proposal, a National Grid employee and ELEXON employees. Modification Proposals follow a defined set of procedures and the Workgroups are responsible for providing the necessary reports that the BSC Panel needs in order to make its recommendations.

All Modification Proposals are consulted upon by the industry. Responses to these consultations are factored into the relevant reports, as these views are critical in assisting the BSC Panel and Ofgem in reaching recommendations and decisions. The BSC Panel assesses the recommendation put forward by the Modification Workgroup and decides whether to uphold it or not.

The BSC Panel then makes its recommendation to Ofgem who takes the final decision on whether or not the Modification should be made.

In addition to the Modifications Process, changes to the BSC can be discussed, but not implemented, using the Issues Process. This enables BSC Parties to suggest topics for assessment without going through the formal Modification Proposal process. Issues can be raised, assessed and closed at any time.

How quickly can Modification Proposals be progressed?

Modification Proposals can be progressed as ‘urgent’ with prior approval from Ofgem. Urgent Modification Proposals can be progressed within one day under specific circumstances.

How do the Code Subsidiary Documents (CSDs) and BSC Systems get altered?

The procedure for amending the CSDs and BSC Systems is the Change Process.

What happens after a change is approved?

Once a Modification Proposal or a Change Proposal is approved, it is implemented as part of a series of planned releases. BSC Systems Releases occur three times a year in February, June and November. Releases may include changes to CVA and SVA software, associated documentation and processes. Read more about the Release and Implementation Process here.

Performance Assurance Framework

The BSC change mechanisms also act as a key remedial technique as part of ELEXON’s Performance Assurance Framework.