Balancing and Settlement Code Communication Requirements Document B Version 21.0 Date: 05 March 2024 |
Communication Requirements Document B
requirements for sending and receiving Communications between Parties and the BMRA
1. Reference is made to the Balancing and Settlement Code as given contractual force by the BSC Framework Agreement dated Code Effective Date and as modified from time to time.
2. This is the Communication Requirements Document B Version 21.0 referred to in Section O of the Code, relating to the sending and receiving of Communications between Parties, Party Agents, Market Index Data Providers and the Balancing Mechanism Reporting Agent.
3. This document is effective from 05 March 2024.
Intellectual Property Rights, Copyright and Disclaimer The copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document are vested in Elexon or appear with the consent of the copyright owner. These materials are made available for you for the purposes of your participation in the electricity industry. If you have an interest in the electricity industry, you may view, download, copy, distribute, modify, transmit, publish, sell or create derivative works (in whatever format) from this document or in other cases use for personal academic or other non-commercial purposes. All copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the document must be retained on any copy you make. All other rights of the copyright owner not expressly dealt with above are reserved. No representation, warranty or guarantee is made that the information in this document is accurate or complete. While care is taken in the collection and provision of this information, Elexon Limited shall not be liable for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any information or damages resulting from the use of this information or action taken in reliance on it. |
AMENDMENT RECORD
Version | Date | Description of Changes | Changes Included | Mods/ Panel/ Committee Refs |
1.0 | 14.08.00 | Designated Version | N/A | N/A |
2.0 | 23.01.01 | Work outstanding at Go Active, resolution of inconsistencies, inclusion of consultation comments | 240 | 11/005 |
3.0 | 08.03.01 | | NCR343 & 348 | 08/03/01 |
4.0 | 13/08/02 | Changes for BSC Systems Release 2 | CP755, CP519, P52 | ISG18/193 |
5.0 | 10/12/02 | Changes for CVA Programme December 02 Release | CP511 CP712 CP751 | ISG11/093 ISG10/082 ISG14/138 |
6.0 | 11/03/03 | Changes for CVA Programme Feb 03 Release | P78 | ISG24/265 |
7.0 | 24/06/03 | Changes for CVA Programme Jun 03 Release and rebadging for P62 | CP703, CP710, P62 | ISG/13/116 |
8.0 | 05/11/03 | Changes for CVA Programme Nov 03 Release and outstanding changes for Approved Modification P118 | P82, P117 | 54/006, 60/005 |
9.0 | 03/11/04 | Changes for CVA Programme Nov 04 Release | P98, P142, CP502, P82 Removal | ISG36/40 SVG36/492 |
10.0 | BETTA Effective Date | SVA February 05 Release and BETTA 6.3 | CP993, CP1091, BETTA 6.3 | SVG48/004 |
11.0 | 02/11/05 | Changes for CVA Programme Nov 05 Release | CP1061 | ISG48/002 |
12.0 | 22/02/07 | February 2007 Release | CP1160 CP1161 | ISG66/04 SVG66/04 |
13.0 | 23/08/07 | P197 Release | P197 | P/115/04 |
14.0 | 06/11/08 | November 08 Release | CP1246 | ISG88/04 SVG88/02 |
| | | P214 | ISG90/04 SVG90/08 |
15.0 | 26/06/09 | February 09 Release | CP1263 | ISG94/01 SVG94/02 |
16.0 | 04/11/10 | November 10 Release | CP1328 | ISG112/01 SVG112/03 |
| | | CP1329 | ISG112/01 SVG112/03 |
17.0 | 23/02/12 | February 2012 Release | CP1352 | ISG129/02 SVG129/04 |
18.0 | 28/02/19 | February 2019 Release | P344 | P284C/01 |
19.0 | 29/03/19 | March 2019 Standalone Release | P369 | P285/12 |
20.0 | 30/06/2022 | June 2022 Standard Release | CP15556 | ISG250/04 SVG252/02 |
21.0 | 05/03/24 | P454 Special Release | P454 | Panel 345/07 |
This document, as defined in the Code, is a Communication Requirements Document and as such covers the communications between BSC Parties, their Agents and the BMRA where the communications interfaces are defined in the Data File Catalogue.
The purpose of this document is to define the communication requirements. BSCCo shall ensure these requirements are satisfied in respect of the BMRA.
For the avoidance of doubt, communications between SVA data parties which are specified in the SVA Data Catalogue or another Code Subsidiary Document as being made using the Managed Data Network Service are to be provided using the Managed Data Network Service. (see Section 9 below).
1.2 Main Users of the Document
The main users of this document are:
(c) Market Index Data Providers;
(d) The National Electricity Transmission System Operator (NETSO) and Licensed Distribution System Operators; and
(e) The Balancing Mechanism Reporting Agent
1.3 Balancing and Settlement Code Provision
This Communication Requirements Document has been produced in accordance with the provisions of the Code. In the event of an inconsistency between the provisions of this Code Subsidiary Document and the Code, the provisions of the Code shall prevail.
1.4 Associated BSC Procedures
BSCP01 Overview of Trading Arrangements
BSCP65 Registration of Parties and Exit Procedures
BSCP70 CVA Qualification Testing for Parties and Party Agents
2. Acronyms and Definitions
The following is a list of acronyms used in this document:
ADSL – Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
BMRA - Balancing Mechanism Reporting Agent
BPITs – Business Process Integration Tests
BSC - Balancing and Settlement Code
BSC CSA – BSC Central Services Agent
CCP – Credit Cover Percentage
CDCA - Central Data Collection Agent
CIR - Committed Information Rate
CPU – Central Processing Unit
CRA - Central Registration Agent
ECVAA - Energy Contract Volume Aggregation Agent
ECVNA - Energy Contract Volume Notification Agent
FAA - Funds Administration Agent
FTP - File transfer protocol
IA – Interconnector Administrator
ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network
ISP - Internet Service Provider
LDSO- Licensed Distribution System Operator
MOA – Meter Operator Agent
MIDP – Market Index Data Provider
MPLS – Multi Protocol Label Switching
MVRNA – Metered Volume Reallocation Notification Agent
NETSO – National Electricity Transmission System Operator
NAT – Network Address Translation
NATs - Network Access Tests
NTP - Network Time Protocol
PCIG – Participant Communications Installation Guide
OpenPGP – Open Source Pretty Good Privacy
PVC - Permanent Virtual Circuit
RVRD - Rendezvous Routing Daemon
SAA - Settlement Administration Agent
SMRA – Supplier Meter Registration Agent
SVA –Supplier Volume Allocation
TAA – Technical Assurance Agent
TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
UTC- Co-ordinated Universal Time
XSec – Participant Security Package
Unless the context otherwise requires and save where otherwise defined in this document, terms and expressions defined in the Code shall have the same meaning in this document.
Communication Requirements Document Specific Definition(s).
Normal Business Hours | 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday on a Working Day. |
Participant | Parties, Party Agents and others that communicate or intend to communicate with the BMRA. |
Qualification | Recognition that a BSC Party or Party Agent has satisfied the communication requirements specified under Section O of the BSC, and that these systems have been tested according to this document. |
Qualification Statement | Statement of Qualification issued by the BSC CSA on behalf of BSCCo on completion of Qualification. |
Qualification Tests/ Qualification Test | Tests undertaken by a Qualifying Participant. The tests provide the appropriate level of assurance that the necessary communication links between the Qualifying Participant and the BMRA will function correctly under operational conditions. |
| |
Service Provider | The Company who provides the electronic communications service medium through which Parties and Party Agents communicate with the BMRA, CRA, CDCA, ECVAA and SAA. |
User Licence | A licence allocated to an individual in a Party not to a Party. |
Waiver | Recognition that a Qualifying Participant is sharing facilities with another Participant who has previously satisfied the Qualification requirements, and as such that Qualification Tests would be duplicated if undertaken by the Qualifying Participant. |
XSec | Security software provided by the Service Provider. |
3. Receipt of Communication for the BMRA
3.1 Deemed Receipt of Communications to and from the BMRA
Where the Code or any BSC Procedure requires that communications should be delivered to the BMRA by or within a particular time, it shall be the responsibility of the Party, of the Party Agent or of the Market Index Data Provider (as the case may be) except in circumstances defined in Section G of the Code, to ensure that the communication arrives at the BMRA by or within the time specified in accordance with the defined Time Standard.
When transferring a file to the BMRA, it is the responsibility of the Participant to transfer the file to the temporary receipt directory using FTP and then to move the file from the temporary receipt directory to the inbox using the 'rename' function.
Communications will be deemed to have been received by the BMRA, for the purposes of Settlement, at the time when the file has been moved from the temporary receipt directory to the inbox using the 'rename' function, provided that the communication (and its content) is in a form which is capable of being processed by the BMRA at the time when the BMRA is to process such communication, in accordance with the Code, for the purposes of Settlement.
For the avoidance of doubt, a communication which is deemed to be received in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph must also fulfil, at the time of such receipt and at the time of processing, any conditions as to the validity of a communication (or the data contained in a communication) set out in the Code and/or any BSC Procedure, and the rules in this Communication Requirements Document as to when a communication is deemed to be received are without prejudice to any other rules in the Code and/or BSC Procedures regarding the submission or receipt of data.
Communications will be deemed to have been received by the Participant when:
(a) For a High Grade connection using the ‘push’ process, the electronic message has been delivered to the Participant, as described in Section 4.6.4;
(b) For a Low Grade connection or High Grade connection using ‘pull‘, the electronic message has been posted into the relevant directory ready to be ‘pulled’ by the Participant; and
(c) For fax transmission, the fax has been sent.
(d) For email transmission, five minutes after the email has been sent.
3.2 Deemed Receipt of Credit Default Notices
If the Party is in Level 1 Credit Default or a Level 2 Credit Default and BSCCo has authorised the Credit Default status, the ECVAA will notify the default status to the Trading Party and post a Level 1 or Level 2 Credit Default statement on the BMRS in relation to that Party as soon as is practicable confirming the time the notice was deemed to have been received.
In addition, Credit Default Notices, including details of Parties that have cleared Credit Default, shall be posted on the BMRA website.
The Service Provider shall ensure its systems are set in accordance with Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), adjusting the time as necessary, at least once every 24 hours.
For communications with BMRA, Participants shall synchronise their systems using Network Time Protocol (NTP) to one of a number of time servers. The Service Provider makes available a list of suitable servers.
For the avoidance of doubt, in ascertaining the time at which a communication is deemed to be received in accordance with paragraph 3.1 above, the time to which the systems of either the Service Provider (or BMRA) or the Participant are set or synchronised when such communication is made shall not be considered conclusive evidence as to the actual time of making such communication. The time of receipt of a communication is determined by reference to 'actual' time.
4. Service Requirements – BMRA
This section defines the network communications services provided to support Participant communication with the BMRA only. It describes the network infrastructure, software and security mechanisms that Participants use for the purpose of electronic communication with the BMRA.
The installation and maintenance is a managed service provided by the Service Provider.
4.2. Specification of Service
These facilities are currently provided through two grades of service delivery depending on the Participant’s requirements, a High Grade or a Low Grade service.
4.2.1 High Grade Service Definition
This service will be made available until the BMRS Transition Date, as determined by the Panel.
This provides access to the BMRA service through private network communication.
For the BMRA service, the High Grade Service provides the capability for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week near real time information to be ‘pushed’ to the service users.
The users can access this data either through browser screens (using Service Provider supplied applets to refresh the screens on receipt of updates), or through a defined programmatic interface (using TIBCO software).
4.2.2 Low Grade Service Definition
This provides access to the BMRA service through the public Internet, with consequently no guarantees on access times or availability.
The Low Grade Service provides access to BMRA data through a browser, but without the automatic refresh, the users are responsible for ‘pulling’ the data for screen based access and file downloads.
Certain items of BMRA data are also made available through the public Internet to the ETSOVista reporting platform (for republication to participants and stakeholders in the European Union’s Internal Electricity Market). The file format and transfer mechanism for this interface are in accordance with specifications maintained by ETSOVista, and are outside the scope of this document.
4.3 Application for the Provision of Service
Participants shall place a service order with BSCCo for the grade of service required providing the following information:
Party name(s);
Contact name of individual responsible for request;
Telephone and fax numbers;
Email address; and
Grade of service required.
If the Participant is ordering the High Grade Service further information may be required from the Participant by the Service Provider during the installation of this service. This information is outlined within documentation provided by the Service Provider.
A Participant may request both the High Grade and the Low Grade Service. Documentation associated with High and Low Grade Services should be ordered through the Service Provider.
One or more Participants may share the physical connection for a High Grade Service installation. Where a High Grade installation is to be shared the Participant should inform BSCCo. This request will be passed to the Service Provider who will contact the Participant to assess the impact and provide options for increasing bandwidth, if required.
If a person who is not a Party requests access to the BMRS via the High Grade service, BSCCo will not accede to this request unless the person agrees to enter into an appropriate contract with BSCCo under which the relevant costs specified in Section D of the Code can be recovered.
Planned downtime applies only to the BMRA service and will be agreed between the Service Provider and BSCCo at least a week in advance.
BSCCo will inform all Parties and Party Agents of such agreement immediately. Note that Section O paragraph O 4.3.3 of the Code specifies that Parties are not able or entitled to send or receive Communications to or from the BMRA during planned downtime.
The network is designed to prevent external unauthorised penetration, in accordance with commercial security standards, including the use of firewalls at the Service Provider site.
Both grades of service provide Participant data confidentiality and originator authentication for file transfer between Participant site and Service Provider site.
This is accomplished using the security utility (XSec) provided by the Service Provider that supports OpenPGP encryption. The management of the security keys is handled through the Service Provider.
The passwords used when connecting with the system must be changed at regular intervals to comply with security standards, as determined by the Service Provider. Currently, XSec keys are scheduled to expire after five years.
If Participants become aware of a security breach or wish to change their keys and passwords before the scheduled expiry time, they should immediately contact the BSC Service Desk. Participants and the Service Provider must make all reasonable endeavours to maintain the security of the system, and correct any weaknesses revealed. The Service Provider may decide to take additional security measures and transmit security instructions to Participants, as necessary.
4.5.1 This section is not currently in use
4.6 Technical Specification – High Grade Service
4.6.1 Network Communications
The High Grade Service consists of a number of MPLS connection options and are detailed as follows:
Technical Specification | Line options |
HG10 | DR10 |
Primary Line Rental |
10Mb Leased Line | ✔ | x |
2Mb ADSL | x | ✔ |
Backup Line Rental |
2Mb ADSL Backup | ✔ | x |
Support |
5 Hour Fix on Primary Line | ✔ | x |
24 Hour Fix on Primary Line | x | ✔ |
Primary Line Uncontended | ✔ | x |
Primary Line Contended | x | ✔ |
One-off Costs | |
Ongoing Annual Costs2 | |
In addition to protect against loss of the connection to the MPLS network a backup ADSL or Basic Rate ISDN line will be provided.
Variations to this standard specification to support, for example, multiple participants using the same High Grade Service will be handled by the BSCCo, in conjunction with the Service Provider, on a case by case basis.
The geographic scope of supply for communication lines is the United Kingdom. Participants who wish the connection termination to be outside the United Kingdom are required to contact BSCCo to make specific arrangements with the Service Provider.
The service includes the provision of a router with the following characteristics:
the router will support TCP/IP;
the interface presented on the Participant side of the private network router will be Ethernet 10/100 BaseT; and
the router will support Network Address Translation (NAT), and the Service Provider will liaise with the Participant to ensure that the correct IP address space translations are configured.
Participants shall order TIBCO software through BSCCo with signed Licences being returned to the Service Provider.
The Participant is responsible for placing a service order with BSCCo who will then instruct the Service Provider.
The Service Provider will then provide to the Participant:
The Participant may also acquire:
However, if a Participant is already in possession of an adequate number of the appropriate TIBCO Software licences then they do not need to take this item.
The Participant is responsible for:
provision of one or more workstations for accessing the High Grade Web Service (optional) to the minimum specification as defined from time to time by the Service Provider;
provision of LAN, including connection to the router;
provision of FTP client software (mandatory) and FTP server software (mandatory only for High Grade Push); each High Grade Participant must select either ‘push’ or ‘pull’ mode for receipt of files from the Service Provider. Full details of directories, user identification etc. are provided by the Service Provider;
all cabling on the Participant side of the supplied router;
synchronising their machine clocks with an NTP server (the Service Provider supplies an NTP service to High Grade users. Optionally the participant can instead choose to synchronise with a UTC source of their choice. The Service Provider can suggest appropriate sources);
provision of a suitable environment for the supplied telecoms equipment, including uninterruptible power, suitable environmental conditions and reasonable provision of site access when required by the Service Provider;
provision of IP addressing information for configuration of the router in liaison with the Service Provider as to suitable addressing ranges;
provision of software which is capable of producing and responding to flows as defined in the BSC Central Systems IDD.
Further, it is not mandatory but strongly recommended that the Participant:
obtain a contract with an ISP for Internet connectivity to allow the Participant to use the Low Grade Service, ordered from BSCCo, as a backup mechanism and provide any necessary hardware, cabling and software to support the link; and
provide and configure a firewall to protect the Participant’s LAN.
4.6.4 Boundary of Responsibility
The High Grade communications service will terminate at the LAN interface of the router at a Participant’s site. The router will be supplied and installed as part of the installation of the private line. The Participant is responsible for the connection of the router to the Participant’s Local Area Network (via a firewall if this is required).
4.7 Technical Specification - Low Grade Service
4.7.1 Network Communications
Network Communication is through the public Internet.
The Participant is responsible for placing a service order with BSCCo who will then instruct the Service Provider.
The Service Provider will then provide the Participant with:
The Participant is responsible for:
provision of a workstation and operating system software to the minimum specification as defined from time to time by the Service Provider;
provision of FTP client software. When using FTP to send files, Internet-connected Participants must always ‘push’ files to the BMRA. Across the Internet, Participants must always ‘pull’ files from the BMRA. Full details of directories, user identification etc. are provided by the Service Provider;
obtaining a contract with an ISP for Internet connectivity; provision of any necessary hardware, cabling and software to support the link;
synchronising the workstation with an Internet NTP server (the Service Provider will supply suitable DNS information, if one is not supplied by the Participant’s ISP);and
provision of software which is capable of producing and responding to flows as defined in the BSC Central Systems IDD.
Further, it is not mandatory but strongly recommended that the Participant:
The full technical details of installation are provided by the Service Provider after receipt of a service order
The Service Provider will undertake basic tests, as part of the installation, to ensure that Participants can communicate with the BMRA.
The Participant must make all reasonable endeavours to allow site access to the Service Provider for installation and subsequent maintenance.
4.9 Management of Service
The Participant acquires a fully managed service for
High Grade Services which includes the maintenance of the communication lines, router, and software provided. The Service Provider operates the BSC Service Desk. Full contact details can be obtained from
BSCCo through the following email address:
market.entry@elexon.co.uk .
4.10 This section is no longer in use
On termination of High Grade Service the Participant shall be responsible for allowing the Service Provider to remove all communication lines and routers and returning all software and documentation, other than that required for the Low Grade Service.
In the event of withdrawal or expulsion from participation under the Code, a Party shall permit the Service Provider to remove all communication lines and routers and shall return to the Service Provider all software and documentation, and OpenPGP encryption details.
Termination of the service will be immediate upon receipt by the Service Provider of notice from BSCCo. Communication lines and routers will be removed as soon as practical thereafter.
4.12 Disaster Recovery and Standby Sites
The High Grade Service specification applies to all physical sites at which it is installed. A Participant may request variations to the specification for its disaster recovery site. This should be raised through BSCCo where it will be handled on a case by case basis.
The TIBCO and security services provided by the Service Provider require a Windows operating system environment. The currently supported versions of the Windows operating systems are available on request from the Service Provider.
The software licences are provided for the sole purposes of access to the BMRA. They may not be transferred to another organisation. Nor can they be used for the operation of another computer system.
All requirements for variation to the service specifications given in this document must be raised through BSCCo where they will be handled on a case by case basis. Any cost differential will be agreed for the variation and reflected as a separate charge.
From time to time it may be necessary to upgrade the software. Additional charges may apply at this time.
4.16 Testing of Participants’ Communication
Participants’ ability to communicate with the BMRA will be tested, with the exception of Non Party access to the BMRS via the High Grade Service. This testing will encompass Qualification Tests – where the ability of Participants to send and to receive appropriate flows (as defined in the Data File Catalogue) as part of an integrated business activity will be tested.
BSC Parties and CVA MOAs are able to opt out of some or all tests if they so choose. It should be understood that this shall be entirely at their own risk.
Testing is initiated by the Participant as outlined in BSCP70. CVA Qualification Tests and Applications for Waivers of CVA Qualification testing will be undertaken in accordance with BSCP70 and successful completion of CVA Qualification will be notified by means of a Qualification Statement issued by the BSC CSA on behalf of BSCCo.
Parties or Party Agents who have not registered to use either the High Grade service or the Low Grade service and who have elected not to receive any electronic data flows by completing the procedure defined in BSCP41 – Reporting Requests & Authorisation will not be required to undertake tests relating to any electronic data flows. Such tests, if requested by the Party or Party Agent, will be undertaken at the point when the Party or Party Agent registers to use either the High Grade service or the Low Grade service.
Where a Party or Party Agent shares an administrative organisation or software with another Party or Party Agent, tests relating to any specific flow may be waived at the discretion of BSCCo on production of evidence that the specific flow has previously been successfully tested using the same version and configuration of the software which is involved in generating or receiving the flow. Such a waiver is not automatic and BSCCo may require tests to be undertaken where there is any doubt as to the degree of sharing of administrative function, the identification of the software product or module, the nature of the configuration or any other matter of doubt.
Any intention of changes to software that may directly affect one or more data flows must be notified by the Party to BSCCo. BSCCo may require Participants to re-test if a significant risk to interfaces is identified.
The set of data flows a Participant will test depends on the capacity or role of the Participant, as defined in section 5.
The tests are carried out by the Service Provider on behalf of the BMRA.
In each case the flow must be of valid format and contain valid values, it is not necessary for the file or message to include valid business data, and it is accepted that the data may not be valid in respect of its relationship to other data held by that Participant or the Service Provider.
4.17.1 Correct generation of all Relevant Files / Messages and Transfer to the Service Provider.
(a) Electronic Data Flows
For each relevant data flow the Participant must demonstrate that their application can generate a valid file / message containing test data (the file / message must be in the correct format and contain valid values) and deliver this to the destination system (via an appropriate network). The receipt and recognition of this flow by the Service Provider will demonstrate the correct generation of the flow by the Participant.
Evidence that the test has been successfully completed will include evidence from the Participant that the file was generated from the application concerned and, where applicable, evidence that the application has accepted the resulting acknowledgement.
This section is no longer in use.
4.17.2 Receiving Valid Files / Messages Generated by the Service Provider.
(a) Electronic Data Flows
For each relevant data flow the Participant must demonstrate that their application can receive, recognise and accept a valid flow (via the appropriate network) at the application designated to be the recipient for that flow.
On receipt of a file / message the application must be able to demonstrate that the file / message has been received, and that the structure of the flow has been recognised and validated.
Evidence that the test has been successfully completed will include evidence from the Service Provider in the form of a file print out of the generated file. The receiving Participant will provide a file printout of the file received. Some evidence that the file has been received and understood by the receiving application must be provided. This may include database extracts, screen prints etc.
This section is no longer in use.
4.17.3 Correct Rejection of all Received Invalid Files / Messages.
(a) Electronic Data Flows
Tests under this heading are not intended to be exhaustive. The tests are to show the general readiness of the Participant.
A number of invalid files will be produced by the Service Provider which are relevant to each Participant capacity or role. Each Participant must be able to demonstrate that they correctly reject these flows. The invalid flows will only test for incorrect format or structure of the file. Invalid business content is out of scope.
Evidence that the test has been successfully completed consists of the receipt of an automatic rejection at the Service Provider, together with a confirmation from the Participant that the data flow was seen and errors detected.
This section is no longer in use.
5. Definition of Data Flows to be Tested
The flows to be tested are specified below. The flows are identified by reference to the CVA Data Catalogue.
5.1 Registration Activity
5.5 MIDP Flows Requiring Testing
Flow | Dir’n | User | Name |
BMRA-I015 | from | MIDP | Market Index Data |
8. Managed Data Network Service
This service is provided by Electralink under the Data Transfer Services Agreement and all interfaces are defined in the SVA Data Catalogue.