Information on the Electricity industry is held across 4 industry websites, provided by National Grid and Elexon. Industry parties have indicated that this can make it difficult to find the required information quickly and that a central location for key data would be beneficial.
In response National Grid has worked with Elexon to develop an initial Electricity Data Summary webpage, which provides key information from these websites. National Grid and Elexon are continuing to further develop this summary page.
The latest draft strawman of the proposed fully developed summary page contains 18 categories of data together with their definitions and the proposed data history to be made available. The intention is that the format of an electricity summary page would be similar to the gas daily summary report, i.e. all the information would be presented on a single vertically scrollable page with each category summarised by a table or graph and buttons with links to each item’s definition and history.
Industry Engagement
National Grid has engaged with the industry through the Electricity Operational Forum, the Demand Side Working Group (DSWG) and an Electricity Demand Forecasting Workshop to solicit feedback on Electricity Market Information issues. In addition National Grid produced a Consultation Report, on 1 August 2007 to further seek the industry's views.
The conclusions from this consultation can be found in the Market Information Conclusions Report published on 16 October 2007.
Further to the recommendations in the conclusions report, National Grid has raised two Market Information Modification Proposals. These are:
P219 – Consistency between forecast and outturn demand, and
P220 – Provision of new data items for improving market information
The main purpose of these modifications is to improve information transparency, provide better market signals for all market participants, including small players,
so that market participants are better able to manage their positions, thus facilitating more efficient market operation.
These two modifications specifically focus on prioritised areas for the provision of new data items to provide consistency, clarity and detail of forecast/outturn demand data (P219), and a daily summary page with key market information in one place (P220).
For further details on these two modifications, please visit the Modification area of the Elexon website.
An Internet Live Meeting was hosted by National Grid on Monday 14 January 2008 to update DSWG members on the progress of BSC modification P220 and the current ELEXON consultation process. Modification P220 covers the requirements for new market information from National Grid for publication on a phase 2 BMRS summary page. The 'slides' from this presentation are available below for users’ information.
On the 12th March, phase 1 of the new daily summary page went live and can be accessed at http://www.bmreports.com/bsp/bsp_home.htm. Phase 1 delivery places key data items to gain a market overview in an easier to use single location. Phase 2 which includes new data items on the summary page as well as some improvements to the range of information available will go-live on 6th November 2008. Phase 2 required the approval by Ofgem of Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) modifications P219 and P220, which took place on 2 April 2008. Work at National Grid and Elexon is now focussed on delivering the improvements as set out in these modifications.
National Grid continually welcomes ideas and feedback on improving Electricity Market Information. For such feedback, please contact richard.j.price@uk.ngrid.com (tel: 0118 936 3391).
Where can I find out more?
Further information can be found, by using the links below to key operational industry websites
- BMRS website (Elexon) – Balancing Mechanism half hourly data close to real-time
- Elexon website - Delivers the Balancing Settlement Code and longer term (e.g. 2-14 day, 2-52week) market forecast data
- National Grid website – Provides Information on Balancing Services
- SONAR – Bulletin board for National Grid operational notifications
Archive of Useful Background Information