Tool · Interactive

Market Roles in the German Energy Market

Interactive overview of all market roles under EnWG, MsbG and BNetzA regulations, from TSO to Prosumer

  • 20 roles, 4 levels
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Two grid operators at a control desk in front of monitor walls showing grid schematics in an energy network operations room

The German energy market is characterized by a clear separation of grid operation and supply (unbundling). The various market roles are organized across four layers and communicate via standardized processes (GPKE, MaBiS, WiM) and data formats (EDIFACT). This guide provides a complete overview.

Summary
  • The German energy market separates grid operation from supply through unbundling, ensuring non-discriminatory access for all participants.
  • 20 distinct market roles operate across four layers: Grid, Market, Metering and Customer.
  • Standardized communication processes (GPKE, MaBiS, WiM) and EDIFACT data formats let market partners exchange data automatically.
  • Key regulations include EnWG, MsbG, StromNZV, and BNetzA rulings (BK6/BK7).
  • Smart meter rollout, Redispatch 2.0 and prosumer integration are reshaping the market landscape.
  • For energy utilities of every size and their partners in market communication.
4 Market Layers
20 Market Roles
7 Communication Processes

Energy Market Structure

The German energy market is defined by a clear separation of grid operation and supply (unbundling). The various market roles are organized into four layers and communicate via standardized processes (GPKE, MaBiS, WiM) and data formats (EDIFACT). This structure ensures non-discriminatory grid access for all market participants and promotes competition in the energy market.

Liberalization and Unbundling

The liberalization of the German electricity market began in 1998 with the implementation of the first EU Internal Market Directive. The core principle: separation of monopoly areas (grid operation) from competitive areas (generation, trading, supply).

  • 1998: First Energy Industry Act (EnWG), beginning of market liberalization
  • 2005: Second EnWG, establishment of the regulatory authority (BNetzA)
  • 2011: Energy transition after Fukushima, increased renewable energy feed-in
  • 2016: Metering Operation Act (MsbG), Smart Meter Rollout
  • 2021: Redispatch 2.0, integration of distributed generation plants

The Four Market Layers

  • Grid Layer: Transmission System Operators (TSO/UNB), Distribution System Operators (DSO/VNB) and Connection Grid Operators (CGO/ANB) provide the physical infrastructure. They are regulated monopolies subject to tariff regulation by BNetzA.
  • Market Layer: Suppliers (LF), Balance Responsible Parties (BRP/BKV), Direct Marketers (DV) and other actors organize energy trading. Competition prevails here, every customer can freely choose their supplier.
  • Metering Layer: Metering System Operators (MSO/MSB), Gateway Administrators (GWA) and Energy Service Providers (ESA) capture and process metering data. Since the MsbG, competition also exists here between default and competitive MSOs.
  • Customer Layer: End consumers, plant operators and prosumers as end users and distributed generators. They are the economic drivers of the system and increasingly active market participants.

Unbundling Requirements

Unbundling (separation) is designed to prevent discrimination and enable competition:

  • Legal Unbundling: Grid operation must be conducted in a separate legal entity (for operators serving more than 100,000 customers)
  • Operational Unbundling: Independent decision-making authority for grid operations
  • Informational Unbundling: Confidential treatment of commercially sensitive data
  • Accounting Unbundling: Separate accounts for grid and supply activities (all companies)

For TSOs, even stricter requirements apply: ownership unbundling (OU) or Independent Transmission Operator (ITO) model.

Legal Foundations

Market roles and their obligations are defined by a complex regulatory framework:

  • EnWG, Energy Industry Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz): The fundamental law of the energy market governing grid access, unbundling and regulation
  • MsbG, Metering Operation Act (Messstellenbetriebsgesetz): Regulates the smart meter rollout and the rights/obligations of metering system operators
  • StromNZV, Electricity Grid Access Regulation (Stromnetzzugangsverordnung): Details on grid access, balancing group system and schedule management
  • StromNEV, Electricity Grid Fee Regulation (Stromnetzentgeltverordnung): Calculation of grid usage fees
  • EEG, Renewable Energy Sources Act (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz): Promotion and feed-in of renewable energies
  • KWKG, Combined Heat and Power Act (Kraft-Warme-Kopplungsgesetz): Promotion of high-efficiency CHP plants

BNetzA rulings (BK6/BK7) such as GPKE, MaBiS, WiM and MPES set the technical and operational details.

Communication between Market Participants

Market communication is conducted exclusively via standardized formats and processes:

  • EDIFACT: Electronic data format based on UN/EDIFACT, standardized through edi@energy (BDEW/DVGW)
  • AS4: Secure communication platform for data exchange (increasingly replacing email-based EDIFACT)
  • Market Partner IDs: Unique identifiers (BDEW code number, EIC) for identifying all participants
  • Deadlines: Fixed response times (e.g., 5 business days for supplier switch confirmation)

Which deadlines hit which market role

The roles further down stay abstract until a deadline attaches to them. These are the next dates per role, taken from the deadline calendar, which we usually check against its sources every week.

A classification for typical market roles, not a review of your individual case and not legal advice. Whether an obligation applies to your company (thresholds, exemptions) is for your legal department or counsel to confirm. The calendar doesn't replace your own deadline review.

Which of these deadlines hits your programme? Book an implementation check →

Grid Layer

The grid layer covers all actors that physically transport electricity, gas and hydrogen, from the extra-high voltage grid and long-distance pipelines down to the household connection.

TSO

Transmission System Operator (ÜNB)

Grid Layer

Operates the extra-high voltage grid (220-380 kV) and is responsible for system stability, balancing energy and interregional electricity transport.

Core Tasks

  • Operation and maintenance of the transmission grid
  • System management and frequency control
  • Procurement and deployment of balancing energy
  • Congestion management and redispatch
  • Balance coordination (BIKO role)

Relevant Processes

MaBiS Redispatch 2.0 Schedule Management

Communicates With

DSO BRP BIKO Power Plant Operators

Examples

TenneT, 50Hertz, Amprion, TransnetBW

Legal Basis: EnWG Sections 12-14
DSO

Distribution System Operator (VNB)

Grid Layer

Operates the medium and low voltage grid and provides the connection between the transmission grid and end consumers.

Core Tasks

  • Operation of the distribution grid
  • Grid connection and grid access
  • Meter data management
  • Grid usage billing
  • Master data maintenance for market locations

Relevant Processes

GPKE WiM MaBiS Redispatch 2.0

Communicates With

TSO MSO Supplier End Consumers

Examples

E.ON Netz, EnBW, municipal utilities, regional operators

Next deadlines

All deadlines for this role →
Legal Basis: EnWG Sections 17-21
CGO

Connection Grid Operator (ANB)

Grid Layer

The grid operator to whose network a market location is physically connected. Often identical to the DSO.

Core Tasks

  • Provision of the grid connection
  • Technical processing at the connection point
  • Master data reporting for generation plants
  • Coordination of redispatch measures

Relevant Processes

MPES Redispatch 2.0 GPKE

Communicates With

DSO MSO Plant Operator EIV

Examples

Identical to DSO or specialized companies

Legal Basis: EnWG Section 17
TSO gas

Gas transmission system operator

Grid level

Operates the long-distance gas transport network and markets entry and exit capacity at border and market area interconnection points.

Core tasks

  • Capacity marketing in the entry-exit system
  • Network development plan for gas and hydrogen
  • Converting pipelines to hydrogen
  • Nominations and metering at interconnection points

Relevant processes

Capacity booking Nomination Gas NDP

Communicates with

MAM Gas DSO Shippers BRP

Examples

Open Grid Europe, GASCADE, ONTRAS, Thyssengas

Legal basis: EnWG sections 15, 20(1b)
H2 NO

Hydrogen network operator

Grid level

Operates pipelines for hydrogen. The hydrogen core network, approved by the Federal Network Agency in October 2024, goes into operation step by step until 2032.

Core tasks

  • Capacity allocation in the core network
  • Ramp-up charge and amortisation account
  • Converting existing gas pipelines
  • Connecting electrolysers and industry

Relevant processes

H2 capacity booking Hydrogen network access

Communicates with

Gas TSO Electrolyser operators Industry Federal Network Agency

Examples

Operators of the hydrogen core network, mostly today's gas transmission operators

Legal basis: EnWG sections 28j to 28r

Market Layer

The market layer organizes the trading and balancing settlement of energy. Here, suppliers, balance responsible parties and direct marketers operate.

LF

Supplier (Lieferant)

Market Layer

Supplies end customers with electricity or gas and is contractually responsible for energy delivery.

Core Tasks

  • Concluding supply contracts with end customers
  • Energy procurement and portfolio management
  • Balancing group assignment of customers
  • Energy billing to end customers
  • Switching processes and customer service

Relevant Processes

GPKE GeLi Gas WiM

Communicates With

DSO MSO BRP End Consumers

Examples

E.ON, Vattenfall, EnBW, municipal utilities

Next deadlines

All deadlines for this role →
Legal Basis: EnWG Sections 38-41
BRP

Balance Responsible Party (BKV)

Market Layer

Responsible for maintaining a balanced position between feed-in and withdrawal within a balancing group.

Core Tasks

  • Management of the balancing group
  • Schedule submission to the TSO
  • Forecasting and procurement
  • Settlement of balancing group deviations
  • Balancing energy settlement

Relevant Processes

MaBiS Schedule Management

Communicates With

BIKO TSO Supplier Traders

Examples

Large utilities, energy traders, industrial companies

Legal Basis: StromNZV Section 4
BIKO

Balance Coordinator (Bilanzkreiskoordinator)

Market Layer

Role of the TSO for coordination and settlement of all balancing groups within a control area.

Core Tasks

  • Aggregation of all balancing group data
  • Calculation of balancing energy
  • Balancing group settlement
  • Clearing between balancing groups
  • Publication of balancing energy prices

Relevant Processes

MaBiS

Communicates With

BRP DSO TSO

Examples

TenneT (as BIKO), 50Hertz (as BIKO)

Legal Basis: BK6-07-002
DV

Direct Marketer (Direktvermarkter)

Market Layer

Markets electricity from renewable energy sources directly on the spot market on behalf of plant operators.

Core Tasks

  • Direct marketing of renewable electricity
  • Exchange trading and portfolio management
  • Forecast generation for renewable plants
  • Settlement with plant operators
  • Remote control of generation plants

Relevant Processes

MPES MaBiS Redispatch 2.0

Communicates With

Plant Operator BRP DSO Power Exchange

Examples

Next Kraftwerke, Statkraft, EnBW

Legal Basis: EEG Sections 20-21
EIV

Dispatch Responsible Party (Einsatzverantwortlicher)

Market Layer

Responsible for the dispatch of a technical resource within the Redispatch 2.0 framework.

Core Tasks

  • Control of generation plants
  • Implementation of redispatch calls
  • Data reporting to grid operators
  • Balancing settlement of curtailed energy

Relevant Processes

Redispatch 2.0 MPES

Communicates With

CGO BRP Plant Operator Direct Marketer

Examples

Direct marketers, plant operators, aggregators

Legal Basis: BK6-20-059
MAM

Market area manager (gas)

Market level

Runs the German gas market area: balancing of the balancing groups, the virtual trading point and balancing energy for gas.

Core tasks

  • Gas balancing group settlement
  • Operating the virtual trading point
  • Procuring gas balancing energy
  • Duties under the Gas Storage Act

Relevant processes

GaBi Gas Nomination Conversion

Communicates with

Gas TSO Gas DSO BRP Supplier

Examples

Trading Hub Europe (the single market area since October 2021)

Legal basis: EnWG section 20(1b), gas cooperation agreement (KoV)
SO

Storage operator

Market level

Operates battery or other electricity storage connected to the grid and markets its flexibility on the wholesale and balancing markets.

Core tasks

  • Grid connection and connection charge
  • Marketing in day-ahead, intraday and balancing
  • Metering concept and allocation of volumes
  • Grid charge exemption for storage

Relevant processes

MiSpeL Redispatch 2.0 MaStR registration

Communicates with

DSO TSO BRP MSO

Examples

Operators of grid-scale batteries, including municipal and regional utilities

Legal basis: EnWG section 3 no. 15d, section 118(6)
AGG

Aggregator

Market level

Pools generation, storage and flexible demand of many customers and markets them together, for example as a virtual power plant.

Core tasks

  • Pooling small plants and loads
  • Marketing flexibility and balancing energy
  • Remote control of the assets
  • Settlement with plant operators and suppliers

Relevant processes

Balancing prequalification Redispatch 2.0 Balancing group

Communicates with

TSO BRP Supplier Plant operator MSO

Examples

Virtual power plant operators, direct marketers with a flexibility offer

Legal basis: EnWG section 3 no. 1a, sections 41d and 41e

Metering Layer

The metering layer encompasses all actors responsible for capture, transmission and processing of metering data.

gMSB

Default MSO (Grundzuständiger MSB)

Metering Layer

The automatically responsible metering system operator for a grid area, typically the local grid operator.

Core Tasks

  • Installation of metering equipment
  • Operation and maintenance of metering points
  • Meter reading and data transmission
  • Smart meter rollout
  • Compliance with price caps

Relevant Processes

WiM GPKE

Communicates With

DSO Supplier End Consumers wMSB

Examples

Grid operator subsidiaries, municipal utilities

Next deadlines

All deadlines for this role →
Legal Basis: MsbG Sections 2-4
wMSB

Competitive MSO (Wettbewerblicher MSB)

Metering Layer

Independent provider for metering operations, freely selectable by the connection user.

Core Tasks

  • Offering alternative metering solutions
  • Enhanced visualization and analytics
  • Integration with energy management systems
  • Flexible tariff models
  • Specialized solutions for commercial/industrial clients

Relevant Processes

WiM GPKE

Communicates With

gMSB DSO Supplier End Consumers

Examples

EHA, Discovergy, Commetering

Legal Basis: MsbG Section 9
ESA

Energy Service Provider (Energieserviceanbieter)

Metering Layer

Orders metering data from the metering point operator through market communication, with the connection user's consent. Typical uses are consumption analysis and energy advice.

Core Tasks

  • Analysis and visualization of energy data
  • Energy consulting and optimization
  • Demand response services
  • Smart home integration
  • Billing services

Relevant Processes

WiM (Supplementary Services)

Communicates With

MSO End Consumers Supplier

Examples

Energy consultants, smart home providers, billing service providers

Legal Basis: BDEW role model for market communication, standardised processes since October 2022
GWA

Gateway Administrator (Gateway-Administrator)

Metering Layer

Administers Smart Meter Gateways and controls secure data communication.

Core Tasks

  • Configuration of Smart Meter Gateways
  • Certificate management (SM-PKI)
  • Control of data transmission
  • Security management
  • Remote maintenance and updates

Relevant Processes

AS4 Communication SM-PKI

Communicates With

MSO BSI EMT

Examples

MSO internal function, specialized IT service providers

Next deadlines

All deadlines for this role →
Legal Basis: MsbG, BSI TR-03109

Customer Layer

The customer layer encompasses the end users of energy, both pure consumers and distributed generators and prosumers.

EC

End Consumer (Letztverbraucher)

Customer Layer

The final recipient of energy for own consumption.

Core Tasks

  • Concluding supply contracts
  • Paying energy bills
  • Choosing supplier and MSO
  • Providing meter readings
  • Tolerating smart meter rollout

Relevant Processes

Supplier Switch (GPKE) Move-in/Move-out

Communicates With

Supplier MSO DSO

Examples

Households, commercial enterprises, industrial users

Legal Basis: EnWG Section 3 No. 25
PO

Plant Operator (Anlagenbetreiber)

Customer Layer

Operator of a power generation plant (e.g., PV, wind, CHP).

Core Tasks

  • Operation of the generation plant
  • Registration in the Market Master Data Register (MaStR)
  • Selection of the marketing model
  • Compliance with technical requirements
  • Tolerating redispatch measures

Relevant Processes

MPES Redispatch 2.0 EEG Reporting

Communicates With

Direct Marketer DSO MSO CGO

Examples

PV operators, wind farm operators, CHP operators

Legal Basis: EEG, EnWG
PRO

Prosumer

Customer Layer

Combination of producer and consumer: generates and consumes energy.

Core Tasks

  • Optimizing self-consumption
  • Surplus feed-in
  • Storage management
  • Participation in flexibility markets
  • Integration of controllable consumption devices

Relevant Processes

Section 14a EnWG MPES GPKE

Communicates With

Supplier DSO MSO Direct Marketer

Examples

Homeowners with PV, commercial buildings with CHP

Legal Basis: EEG, MsbG, EnWG Section 14a

Market Communication Processes

Market communication in the German energy market is fully standardized. The Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) has established binding process descriptions through its ruling chambers (BK6 for electricity, BK7 for gas) that all market participants must follow. These processes define exact workflows, deadlines and message formats.

Core Principles of Market Communication

  • Full Automation: All processes run electronically via EDIFACT messages, no manual steps
  • Deadline-bound: Every process step has defined response deadlines (e.g., 5 business days, 10 business days)
  • Bilateral Communication: Direct message exchange between the involved parties
  • Clearing Houses: Dispute resolution mechanisms exist (e.g., BDEW Clearing)
  • Format Validation: Syntactic and semantic validation of all messages before processing
GPKE

Business Processes for Electricity Supply to Customers

Governs all processes related to end customers: supplier switching, move-in/move-out, grid usage billing and master data exchange.

  • Supplier Switch: Registration by new supplier > confirmation/rejection by DSO (5 BD) > deregistration to old supplier
  • Move-in: Customer reports move-in to supplier > supplier registers with DSO
  • Move-out: Customer terminates or supplier reports move-out
  • Notice Period: Min. 3 weeks before supply start
DSO Supplier gMSB Consumer

Messages: UTILMD (master data), MSCONS (meter readings), INVOIC (invoices)

MaBiS

Market Rules for Balancing Group Settlement

Defines data exchange for balancing group management and settlement between all relevant parties.

  • Aggregate Time Series: DSO reports aggregated values per balancing group
  • Balancing Group Summary: BIKO creates total balance per balancing group
  • Balancing Energy: Calculation of deviations between schedule and actual
  • Monthly Settlement: Balancing energy costs to BRP
BRP BIKO DSO TSO

Messages: MSCONS (time series), UTILTS (schedules), INVOIC (settlement)

WiM

Switching Processes in Metering

Governs all processes related to metering operations: MSO switching, device replacement, meter data transmission.

  • MSO Switch: Connection user commissions wMSB > request to gMSB > meter exchange
  • Device Replacement: Meter removal/installation with protocol and data transmission
  • Meter Data Transmission: MSO delivers readings to authorized recipients (DSO, Supplier)
  • Deadlines: MSO switch requires min. 2 months lead time
gMSB wMSB DSO Supplier

Messages: UTILMD (device master data), MSCONS (meter readings), ORDERS/ORDRSP

MPES

Market Processes for Generation Plants

Standardizes communication for distributed generation plants (EEG, CHP, others).

  • Plant Master Data: Reporting of technical data to DSO/CGO
  • Marketing Switch: Change between feed-in tariff and direct marketing
  • Assignment: Assignment of plant to balancing group/direct marketer
  • Compensation: Processes for curtailed energy and compensation
Plant Op. DV DSO CGO

Messages: UTILMD (plant data), MSCONS (feed-in values), INVOIC (EEG remuneration)

GeLi Gas

Business Processes for Gas Supplier Switching

Equivalent to GPKE for the gas market with gas-specific adaptations.

  • SLP Customers: Standard load profile customers with estimated consumption
  • RLM Customers: Interval metering for large consumers
  • Calorific Value Transmission: Additional gas-specific measurement parameters
  • Allocation: Assignment of gas volumes to balancing groups
DSO Supplier gMSB

Messages: UTILMD, MSCONS, INVOIC (analogous to GPKE)

Redispatch 2.0

Congestion Management with Renewables/CHP

Since 01 October 2021: All generation plants above 100 kW (and controllable consumption devices) are included in congestion management.

  • Master Data Exchange: Technical resources are reported in detail (capacity, location, controllability)
  • Planned Values: EIV reports daily planned values for generation/consumption
  • Dispatch Call: Grid operator can request curtailment/increase
  • Balancing Compensation: BRP settles deviations
  • Compensation: Plant operator receives compensation for curtailment
TSO DSO CGO EIV Plant Op. BRP

Messages: UTILMD (master data TR/SR/LR), UTILTS (planned values), special dispatch formats

Example: Supplier Switching Process

A typical supplier switch under GPKE follows this procedure:

  1. Day 0: Customer signs contract with new supplier (LF-new). Customer authorizes LF-new to handle termination and registration.
  2. Day 1: LF-new sends termination notice to LF-old (optional, if authorized by customer)
  3. Day 1: LF-new sends registration (UTILMD) to DSO with desired supply start date
  4. Day 1-5: DSO validates registration (MaLo exists? Data correct? No duplicate switch?)
  5. Day 6: DSO confirms registration (UTILMD response) or rejects with reason
  6. Day 6: DSO sends deregistration to LF-old
  7. Day 6-10: LF-old confirms deregistration or objects
  8. Supply Start: From agreed date, LF-new supplies; DSO assigns MaLo to LF-new's balancing group
  9. After Switch: MSO transmits meter reading at switch date for final invoice

Minimum Lead Time: Supplier switch must be registered at least 3 weeks before desired supply start. Only one switch per calendar month is permitted per market location.

EDIFACT Message Types

Market communication uses standardized EDIFACT formats according to edi@energy for data exchange between market participants. EDIFACT (Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport) is an international UN standard, specified for the German energy industry by BDEW and DVGW.

Structure of an EDIFACT Message

Every EDIFACT message follows a standardized structure:

  • UNA: Service String Advice, defines delimiters
  • UNB: Interchange Header, sender, recipient, timestamp
  • UNH: Message Header, message type and version
  • Segments: Content data according to Message Implementation Guide (MIG)
  • UNT: Message Trailer, segment count
  • UNZ: Interchange Trailer, message count

The exact structure is defined in the MIGs (Message Implementation Guides), which edi@energy updates regularly.

Core Message Formats

UTILMD

Master Data: customers, contracts, meters, plants. Used for registrations/deregistrations, device changes, master data updates

MSCONS

Meter Data: meter readings, energy volumes, load profiles. The backbone of meter data transmission

UTILTS

Time Series: schedules, forecasts, calculated values. Important for balancing and redispatch

ORDERS

Orders: requests for device replacement, reading, disconnection/reconnection

ORDRSP

Order Response: confirmation or rejection of ORDERS requests

INVOIC

Invoices: grid usage, metering, EEG surcharge, balancing group settlement

REMADV

Payment Advice: information about completed or planned payments

INSRPT

Fault Report: technical faults at metering equipment

CONTRL

Acknowledgement: syntactic validation and receipt confirmation

APERAK

Application Error: semantic error messages and rejections

REQOTE

Quote Request: price enquiries for grid connections

QUOTES

Quote: cost proposal for grid connection or extension

Versioning and Updates

EDIFACT formats are updated regularly:

  • edi@energy: Joint platform of BDEW and DVGW for format maintenance
  • Format Versions: Currently e.g. UTILMD 5.2g, MSCONS 2.4b
  • Effective Dates: New format versions are introduced on fixed dates (01 April / 01 October)
  • Transition Phase: Old and new versions are accepted in parallel during transitions
  • Validation Tools: edi@energy provides free validation tools

Central Identifiers

The German energy market uses numerous standardized identifiers to uniquely identify locations, devices and market partners. These IDs are the foundation of automated market communication.

Location Identifiers

Since the introduction of the market/metering location model in 2017, consumption and feed-in points are identified through two separate ID systems:

MaLo-ID 12345678901
Market Location ID (Marktlokations-ID)

11-digit numeric ID for each commercial withdrawal/feed-in point. The MaLo is the balancing point and is assigned to a balancing group. Issued by the DSO.

MeLo-ID DE00123456789012...
Metering Location ID (Messlokations-ID)

33-digit alphanumeric ID for technical metering points. Starts with country code (DE). One MaLo can have multiple MeLos (e.g., bidirectional metering). Issued by the DSO.

TRuDi-ID Technical Resource
Technical Resource ID

Unique ID for controllable generation plants in the context of Redispatch 2.0. Identifies the physical plant independently of the MaLo assignment.

Device ID 1EMH0012345678
Meter/Device Number (Geraatenummer)

Manufacturer-specific serial number of the meter or measuring device. For smart meters, also the gateway ID for communication.

Market Partner Identifiers

Each market participant requires unique identifiers for communication:

BDEW No. 9900123456789
BDEW Code Number

13-digit number for unique identification of market partners in EDIFACT communication. Issued by BDEW and mandatory for all market participants.

EIC 11XTENNET-----N
Energy Identification Code

16-character European code for market participants, balancing areas and control zones. Relevant for cross-border trading and schedule management. Issued by ENTSO-E.

GLN 4012345000001
Global Location Number

13-digit GS1 number for international location identification. Used in parallel with the BDEW code number in some cases.

MaStR No. SEE912345678901
Market Master Data Register Number

Registration number in the BNetzA Market Master Data Register (Marktstammdatenregister). Mandatory for all generation plants and storage systems. Format: 3 letters + 12 digits.

Balancing Identifiers

  • Balancing Group ID: 16-character identifier for balancing groups, format similar to EIC. Issued by BIKO/TSO.
  • Control Zone ID: Identifier for the four German control zones (TenneT, 50Hertz, Amprion, TransnetBW)
  • Grid Area ID: Unique identifier for each DSO's grid area

Further Reading

BNetzA, Ruling Chamber 6 Decisions edi@energy, EDIFACT Formats BDEW, Standardization BSI, Smart Meter Gateway Market Master Data Register (MaStR) EnWG, Energy Industry Act MsbG, Metering Operation Act innobu, Deadline Calendar Energy Transition

FAQ

The Distribution System Operator (DSO/VNB) operates the entire distribution grid in a given area. The Connection Grid Operator (CGO/ANB) is the specific grid operator to whose network a particular market location is physically connected.

  • In most cases, the DSO and CGO are identical
  • In grid areas with multiple operators, the CGO may differ
  • The CGO is particularly relevant for Redispatch 2.0 and MPES

The Default Metering System Operator (gMSB) is responsible for the rollout of intelligent metering systems under MsbG.

  • The gMSB is typically the local grid operator or its subsidiary
  • Mandatory installation above certain consumption thresholds (> 6,000 kWh/year)
  • End consumers can alternatively choose a Competitive MSO (wMSB)
  • Price caps under MsbG must be observed

The GPKE (Geschaeftsprozesse zur Kundenbelieferung mit Elektrizitaet) is a BNetzA ruling that standardizes all processes between market participants.

  • Supplier Switching: Complete workflow from contract change to supply start
  • Move-in/Move-out: Registration and deregistration of consumers
  • Master Data Exchange: Synchronization of customer data
  • Meter Data Transmission: Standardized transfer of consumption data

A balancing group (Bilanzkreis) is a virtual account where electricity feed-in and withdrawal are balanced.

  • Every market location must be assigned to a balancing group
  • The BRP (BKV) is responsible for keeping it balanced
  • Deviations are settled through balancing energy
  • The settlement is handled by the BIKO (Balance Coordinator)

Redispatch 2.0 is the congestion management procedure in effect since October 2021, which for the first time includes renewable energy and CHP plants above 100 kW.

  • Grid operators can instruct generation plants to reduce their feed-in
  • Plant operators receive compensation for lost revenue
  • New role of the Dispatch Responsible Party (EIV) for dispatch control
  • Complex data exchange between CGO, EIV and BRP

The Market Location (MaLo) and Metering Location (MeLo) are different concepts in the German energy market.

  • MaLo: Balancing point for energy volumes (commercial), identified by an 11-digit numeric ID
  • MeLo: Physical measurement point (technical), identified by a 33-digit alphanumeric ID
  • One MaLo can have multiple MeLos (e.g., bidirectional meter with separate feed-in/withdrawal)
  • One MeLo can also be assigned to multiple MaLos (virtual division)
  • Assignment and allocation are handled by the DSO

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