Gemini Sustain Plus

Gemini will continue to provide Capacity and Balancing services, while also delivering system compliance against new Uniform Network Code (UNC) modifications. This will enable change more efficiently, while also driving an improved customer experience.

These activities will include: 

• Converting all current Gemini functionality and code into modern (Java microservices) code
• Delivering new and existing functional requirements, and new non-functional requirements
• Consolidating and redesigning the Gemini user interface screens
• Implementing Azure cloud infrastructure components (including replacing the current Oracle database)
• Improvements to the support service arrangement to respond better to incidents and change (in-line with new service levels and KPIs)

Connectivity and Onboarding - 1 April to 31 May 2024

During the Connectivity and Onboarding phases, we helped customers test their connections and set up their individual accounts in the updated Gemini System.

If you haven’t completed any of these steps, please email us as soon as possible.

When the updated Gemini System is delivered, there will be no dual-running alongside the legacy system.

Market trials for APIs - 17 June to 12 July 2024

Market trials for business processes/screens - 19 August to 11 October 2024

There were two market trials periods which allowed participants to trial a set of key processes (supported by historic data) to familiarise themselves with the new look and feel of the upgraded Gemini application.

It provided an opportunity to view any changes that may be introduced, as well as to navigate any other screens that have been fully developed but are not supported by data.

Final market trials phase - 27 January to 14 February 2025

Industry training - January 2025

The Gemini Sustain Plus programme will be releasing the Gemini Learning Management System (LMS) to the industry in January 2025.

This LMS will house training e-modules to cover all the Gemini processes that are conducted within the Gemini application.

There are two mandatory navigation e-modules that cover basic navigation of the LMS and of the upgraded Gemini application; these take about 10 minutes each. Users are also able to self enroll onto any external processes that they may conduct.

The new API gateway in now available, this will run in parallel with the existing IX API gateway for a limited period, to give you the opportunity to transition your APIs to the new gateway at your own pace.

You will need to ensure all your APIs have been updated to use the new Sustain Plus API gateway (https://geminiplus.co.uk) by March 2025 if you are using the IX API solution (http://prod-ix.geminints.com:4445)

During the period before Gemini Sustain Plus implementation on March 2025, the new Sustain Plus API gateway will continue to be linked to legacy Gemini. There should be no impact on API service levels during this period as long as you transition to the new API gateway by the above dates.

Please note:

• The IX API gateway will no longer be available after March 2025.
• Transition is mandatory if you wish to continue using the Gemini API functionality.

The two new APIs (Accept Trades/Accept Transfers) being introduced as part of Gemini Sustain Plus will only become available from March 2025.

Planned implementation

The implementation is currently planned for the 23 March 2025 with an extended outage which is expected to last from 3am – 1pm.

Our contingency date is the 6 April 2025.

Step one – Confirm you can connect to the new Gemini Sustain Plus production site

We need all Gemini users to confirm that you're able to connect to the new Gemini Sustain Plus production environment. 

Please use the following link to connect to the 'to be' production environment.

https://geminiplus.co.uk/ 

Once you've successfully connected, please complete this short confirmation form.

Connectivity confirmation form.

Step 2 - Check you can connect to the market trials environment

If you're registered for market trials, we also need you to ensure you can connect to our market trials environment.

Please use the following link to connect to the market trials environment.

https://test.geminiplus.co.uk/mkt/

Step 3 - Onboard and check individual accounts

All Gemini users will have received an email from Microsoft on behalf of National Gas Gemini, inviting you to access the Gemini application.

This is not a phishing email and will be in the language that your system is set up in.

Please accept the invitation and follow the instructions to activate the account.

Read or download an example of this email below.

Example invitation email

Once you accept the invite, you'll need to follow some short instructions to set up your account.

When you've successfully completed these steps (having previously connected to the market trials environment), you'll see:

• a landing page displaying a 404 error - this is normal and shown while the site is still in development 
• your new account ID, which will be visible on the top right of your screen

We have created a short demo video where you can see the above steps being undertaken.

Need help with any of these steps?

Issues accessing the new environments

These new environments are published using the Azure Front Door network. 

If you can't connect to the new environments, you may need to whitelist the IP addresses for Microsoft Azure services. 

Visit the Microsoft website to view the set of IPs for whitelisting.

Join our technical surgeries

We're also hosting technical surgeries to support you during the Gemini Sustain Plus project.

Register for a surgery

Users with an online/process account will see an error message ('Alert') similar to those shown below, when they connect to either the Gemini production URL, or the market trials URL.

This is normal, your accounts have not been disabled.

The error message ('Alert') on the market trials URL will disappear at the start of the market trials phase in August.

The error message ('Alert') on the production URL will disappear when Gemini Sustain Plus is implemented.