Please refer to our VLP explanation before reading on.
A VLP can register Secondary BMUs (SBMU) associated with metering at the site half-hourly Boundary Point (or site Metering Point) for the sole purposes of the provision of balancing services in the Balancing Mechanism (BM). The AMVLP role allows the participant to register SBMUs associated with meters behind the site Boundary Point. Metering behind the Boundary Point is referred to as Asset Metering.
An example of a qualifying site would be a generation asset sitting alongside the Independent Load (demand) within the site. An AMVLP is able to provide balancing services to National Grid ESO (NGESO) using the generation asset whilst the Independent Load is managed by the Supplier. The generation asset is referred to as Dependent Load.
A site with multiple Dependent Loads may each have a separate AMVLP delivering balancing services.
An AMVLP is entitled to take advantage of the Wider Access API protocol for the exchange of EDT and EDL messages with NGESO within the boundaries of specific thresholds.
The Boundary Point Metering System must be half-hourly in order for a behind the meter asset to qualify for AMVLP services. Each applicable behind the meter asset requires its own Asset Metering System. An Asset Metering System ID (AMSID) will be assigned to the Asset Metering System for active energy import and export. An AMVLP can assign AMSIDs within the same Grid Supply Point (GSP) area into a Secondary BMU (SBMU) thereby supporting aggregation.
The AMVLP is responsible for ensuring approved meters are installed by a Meter Operator Agent (MOA) or Asset Metering Meter Operator Agent (AMMOA).
Asset Metering Systems can only be registered by an AMVLP who has completed self-assessment and is qualified in that role. The AMVLP is responsible for appointing qualified AMVLP Agents to manage the meter operations and data collection for Asset Metering Systems. The applicable AMVLP Agents are:
The Asset Metering System must be half hourly and will be assigned a Metering Point Administration Number (MPAN) alongside a Metering System Identifier (MSID) as with VLP Metering Systems.
Asset Metering Systems may be registered in two ways as follows:
AMVLPs submit Bid/Offer data to National Grid ESO (NGESO) through EDT and are responsible for the delivery of the resulting Bid/Offer Acceptances (BOA) received via EDL. An AMVLP is entitled to take advantage of the Wider Access API protocol for the exchange of EDT and EDL messages with NGESO within the boundaries of specific thresholds.
The AMVLP must register the association of AMSID Pairs with Boundary Point MSID Pairs and sBMUs with Elexon and must submit delivered volume data (energy resulting from a balancing action) to Elexon, specifically the Supplier Volume Allocation Agent (SVAA).
As an AMVLP is also responsible for managing the performance of its appointed agents and for monitoring the completion of business processes that it has initiated, a number of supplier data flows must also be managed namely:
As delivered volumes are calculated at the AMSID/MSID Pair rather than SBMU level, an AMVLP needs to know the forecast of energy flow for the asset (i.e. the PN at the AMSID/MSID Pair level) in order to calculate expected volumes. There are 3 options that apply:
In order to participate in the Balancing Mechanism under the VLP or AMVLP roles, an applicant must complete a qualification process, conducted by KPMG on behalf of Elexon. This is similar to the requirements for supplier accreditation under the SVA process.
It takes the form of an evidence oriented self-assessment process where the applicant’s business processes, systems and infrastructure are examined by KPMG. Once KPMG are satisfied with the applicant’s responses, they will recommend to the Performance Assessment Board (PAB) that the applicant is awarded the AMVLP role.
The applicant must complete the relevant sections of the self-assessment document (SAD). The topics under examination and the objectives of each response are:
At present the applicant must make separate submissions for the VLP and AMVLP roles.
The AMVLP role is closely associated with that of a Virtual Lead Party (VLP). However an AMVLP has further SVA responsibilities reflecting the activities of the MOA Agents it appoints.
Enegen and its partner, Datamere provide full support for an AMVLPs obligations for exchanging data with NGESO, Elexon and MOAs. Datamere’s Genus GridFlo application is a fully accredited solution that fully supports the catalogue of SVA data flow requirements and has been tailored to cover the subset of data flows falling under the responsibility of an AMVLP. Genstar4 and Genus GridFlo provide an off the shelf solution to support the requirements of an AMVLP.
Enegen and Datamere also provide a comprehensive consultancy service to guide an applicant through the AMVLP self-assessment process.
Market Change P415 is currently at the Reporting stage of assessment by the BSC Panel prior to final approval by OFGEM. Should P415 be approved, an AMVLP will be allowed to trade SBMUs on the wholesale electricity markets. This change is forecast to go-live in November 2024.
Under this change, the AMVLP will be responsible for the submission of Deviation Volumes (the deviation from the Baseline representing the AMVLP’s trading activities) under the ECVN process.
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