Gemini Sustain Plus
On this page, we’re sharing information, useful material and regular updates on the Gemini Sustain Plus programme.
What is Gemini Sustain Plus?
National Gas Transmission, in partnership with Xoserve and Correla, is undertaking a programme of work to significantly modernise and enhance the Gemini Platform under XRN 5564.
The Gemini Sustain Plus programme will be delivered over a two-year period.
The target delivery is currently planned for March 2025.
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 will 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.
The market trials phase concluded on 4 October. The environment was available for any users testing the renominations process for an additional five days (11 October) to allow activities to complete, following the resolution of any known issues.
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.
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Market trials has concluded
The market trials for business processes/screens has now finished, there will be a further period of market trials in January 2025 - further information and more details will follow.
Any questions, please email us at geminiengagement@correla.com.
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Helpful material: market trials
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Key information for new API gateway
The new API gateway is now available, this will run in parallel with the existing IX API gateway for a limited period.
You will need to ensure all your APIs have been updated to use the new Sustain Plus API gateway by March 2025, if you are using the IX API solution.
To connect to the new API gateway you must use the new Gemini production URLs. See the Implementation information drop down (above) for more details.
If you have any issues with accessing the new API gateway, please raise a support request.
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API support documents
Common queries: Market trials for APIs
The following content needs to be included in the 'body' :
application/x-www-form-urlencoded grant_type:client_credentials client_id:{{client_id}} client_secret:{{client-pass}} resource:7e6600cc-1039-4161-94da-aa29a5687416
Key requirements:
- you must provide your 'client_credentials' as the 'grant_type'
- you must provide 'client_id' and 'client_secret'
- you must enable the redirect if you are not able to access the above URL directly
- your details must be provided in the 'body' and not in the 'header'
When connecting to the Market Trials APIs the login process requires redirection to be enabled on the API client (to allow connection to Microsoft EntraID) – if this is not enabled then you will receive an HTTP 308 error message.
If you are using Postman, this can be enabled by going to the settings of the request and toggling on the “Automatically follow redirects” option as per the screenshot below. For other API platforms please refer to the product documentation on enabling redirects.
We are looking at how this process will change going forwards - the authentication method is moving from Basic to oAuth2 so there will be additional factors to consider in handling this process - but the credential change interval is moving to 12 months, so this will be a less frequent requirement than the current solution.
You will need to change the way that you connect to Gemini APIs, connectivity will be internet based, RESTful and will use a new method of authentication (oAuth2 and JWT).
Once you connect and authenticate to the new APIs – the actual API structure and functionality remain the same – so you can continue to use XML based queries or you can move to JSON based queries as both methods will be supported.
Yes - API credentials will consist of Client ID, Client Secret, Subscription ID, and resource - these will be used to get a JWT needed to access each of the new APIs.
The credentials that were demonstrated previously, were for the online screens rather than API access (online screens use individuals email address and password).
Yes, there will be new credentials, new URL and you will need to use JWT for authentication - however once connected and authenticated the actual API schema will be the same and you can choose between using XML or JSON based schema.
The test environment will contain historic (not current) production data up to 1 January 2024.
Have you completed the connectivity and onboarding steps?
We're ensuring all Gemini users are able to connect to the new Gemini Sustain Plus environments and activate their individual account profiles.
Without taking part in these steps, you won’t be able to carry out any Gemini processes when the new system launches.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Customer focus groups schedule
View the dates, times and access material for our customer focus groups below:
| Date | Time | More information |
| January 2025 | TBC | TBC |
| Date | Time | Meeting information |
| 25 September 2023 | 1pm - 3pm | |
| 20 November 2023 | 1pm - 3pm | |
| 22 January 2024 | 1pm - 3pm | |
| 18 March 2024 | 1pm - 3pm | |
| 22 April 2024 | 1pm - 2:30pm | |
| 20 May 2024 | 1pm - 2:30pm | |
| 24 June 2024 | 1pm - 2pm | Market Trials Focus Group presentation |
| 19 August 2024 | 1pm - 2pm | |
| 21 October 2024 | 1pm - 2:30pm |
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Common queries: Gemini Sustain Plus
We’re sharing the common questions we’ve received throughout the Gemini Sustain Plus project.
For common queries on the API market trials phase, please read the dedicated ones we’ve shared further up the page.
The inactivity time-out window for the upgraded Gemini system is 15 minutes, this is where no activity is detected from the customer.
National Gas, in conjunction with Xoserve and Correla, has a comprehensive security solution in place for the Gemini solution, which meets all the required security protocols as the upgraded Gemini is accessed over the internet.
These security controls are both in support of, and are supported by, the security solution that reduces the risk to both National Gas and industry participants more widely; consequently, National Gas has no plans to change these controls as to do so would increase the risk to both it and to all industry participants that use Gemini.
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.
Opportunity for training will be provided in 2024 (dates to TBC). It is essential for all companies that use Gemini to participate.
There will be some functional changes which are in response to pain points raised by customers. i.e. the look and feel of the system, as well as bringing together Entry and Exit Capacity.
No, after implementation of the Sustain Plus programme Citrix will no longer be required to access Gemini. Portal access will be available using a web browser over an internet connection.
The existing Gemini API functionality will continue, but there will be changes to the connectivity and user credentials. Any changes to the technical specifications will be published to the industry.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or queries about Gemini Sustain Plus, please email us at geminiengagement@correla.com.
Our support teams are available during business days from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
Technical surgeries
We're hosting technical surgeries each week to allow you to discuss all aspects of switching from IX API to the new API gateway, and any other Gemini logging in queries.
Book onto a technical surgery below.
Focus groups
National Gas have launched a series of Gemini Sustain Plus focus groups.
The next session will be on Microsoft Teams in January 2025.
If you wish to attend and haven’t received the Teams invite please email us.