Enduring governance is a term used to describe the governance arrangements that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has established to ensure that Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) technical and security requirements for Energy Smart Appliances (ESAs) and load controllers can be maintained. Two new groups, the Technical Governance Group (TGG) and the Security Governance Group (SGG) are central to these arrangements.
Enduring governance provides the ongoing arrangements for reviewing, maintaining and updating the SSES technical and security requirements, including through stakeholder input and the work of the TGG and SGG.
Background to enduring governance arrangements
DESNZ set out its enduring governance policy in its SSES enduring governance response document. Following this, the Secretary of State used powers under the Energy Act (2003) to modify the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) to enable Elexon to deliver SSES enduring governance.
This modification was an enabling modification that gave Elexon overarching responsibilities for facilitating the delivery of the TGG and SGG. It also set out that the enduring governance arrangements would be contained in a document called the SSES Governance Framework.
Governance Framework
The SSES Governance Framework sets out the enduring governance arrangements for smart secure electricity systems in Great Britain. It outlines how the technical and security requirements underpinning SSES will be maintained, updated and overseen. It defines the roles and responsibilities of the SSES Technical Governance Group and the SSES Security Governance Group. It also establishes the decision-making processes applicable to these groups.
- SSES Governance Framework – pending publication
Elexon will establish, administer and support two new, industry-led governance groups. These groups will initially be constituted as BSC Panel subcommittees, but their status will be reviewed and aligned to the final position of Ofgem’s Energy Code Reform.
Committees and groups
SSES Security Governance group
Responsible for cyber security and grid stability standards, security risk and threat assessments, security requirements, and assurance processes for load controllers and ESA manufacturers.
SSES Technical Governance group
Responsible for maintaining the technical frameworks, including the interoperable companion specification, technical architecture design, and related documents that ensure devices can work seamlessly across the system.