P494 Ad Hoc Consultation Establishing the Smart Data Repository (SDR)
P494 proposes changes to the BSC to enable Elexon to establish and manage a Smart Data Repository (SDR). The changes will enable robust governance of the SDR, and will ensure Elexon remains compliant both with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when handling personal data, and with its obligations to BSC Parties in relation to their Settlement or commercial data.
The P494 Modification Workgroup is seeking views on potential funding options for the SDR.
Status
Who will this impact?
- BSC Parties
- Party Agents
What is proposed?
The P494 Modification Workgroup is seeking views on potential funding options for the SDR.
Historically, any system being developed by Elexon would be for Settlement purposes, or the electricity industry as a whole and as such BSC Parties fund the system. However, given that potential SDR users (examples given below) extend beyond BSC Parties, we are exploring whether the traditional funding mechanism is applicable to the SDR. We have identified potential funding models:
- Pay per use – SDR users pay for all of the data they receive from the SDR
- Free for all – cost recovery for the service will be through the BSC Parties cost recovery process, but there will be no cost for SDR users at point of use
- Hybrid model – Some pay to use based on roles, but others do not/receive discounts
- Free now, pay later – once the SDR is established and the initial benefits have been realised we can then shift to either option two or three
As part of the normal Modification process we will issue a P494 assessment phase consultation in the normal way. This would normally be the first opportunity for the wider energy community to have their say on the recommended funding model before the BSC Panel makes a recommendation to Ofgem on whether to approve all of the changes proposed by P494.
However, given the importance of having the right funding model in place, and to ensure best use of resources and to avoid having to ‘return to the drawing board’ late in the process, we are seeking initial views on how the SDR should be funded earlier than normal. Once we have received views and there is a clear way-ahead we will develop our thinking further and present the recommended funding model in detail (alongside other recommendations), as part of the consultation we will issue at the end of the Modification’s assessment phase.