Abstract:

We are already seeing the energy supply in Germany confronted with enormous upheavals, which are making themselves felt both in terms of energy generation and  energy consumption. In this context, the IT systems of electricity suppliers and distribution network operators are also facing major challenges. Due to the deregulation of the German energy market and the resulting new market roles, it is already a major task to provide every market participant with the data relevant to them. In order to master this task, the Federal Network Agency has developed a series of business processes that must be implemented by every market participant. To ensure that these business processes can function across market roles, data packets are sent between the market partners, known as EDIFACT messages. The Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) publishes the format definitions for this, which must then also be used by all market participants in the current format version by the deadline. The format versions generally change twice a year on 1 April and 1 October. In addition to these format adjustments, more or less major adjustments to the existing business processes, as well as new process and format introductions, must also be made on a regular basis. These business processes and the associated data transfer enable the interaction of market roles, even across companies. Data such as customer information, contract information, technical devices, meter readings, energy quantities, system blockages, surplus/shortfall quantities, device change information, grid usage invoices, electronic delivery notes, switching times and much more is exchanged and processed accordingly. This information is used for the entire business process of supply companies, from end customer billing and grid usage billing to the control of electricity grid stability through balancing, forecasting and electricity procurement.