Changes to electronic messages as part of the MaKo 2022 – key information moving forward

Implementing adjustments to market communication (MaKo) has been a key objective in the energy industry for many years now. The reasons for this not only include the scope of necessary adjustments due to structural changes in the market, but also the continuous development of MaKo requirements on the part of the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA).

After the BNetzA announced the new MaKo 2022 in the decision BK6-20-160 regarding the determination procedure for further development of network access conditions for electricity on 21 December 2020, a consultation procedure was held from 30 July 2021 to 27 August 2021. In this procedure, led by the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), all market players had the opportunity to develop proposals for amendments to the MaKo 2022. After reviewing and discussing the results, the BNetzA published adjustments to the MaKo 2022 on 1 October 2021 (part 1) and 15 October 2021 (part 2). These changes cover three areas in particular: EDIFACT data formats, XML data exchange and decision tree diagrams. We explain what this means in detail in our blog post.

EDIFACT

As of 1 April 2022, all market participants must be equipped to implement three new EDIFACT data formats: ORDCHG 1.0, PARTIN 1.0 and UTILTS 1.0.

ORDCHG 1.0 stands for “order change,” i.e. for blocking or unblocking orders related to a consumption point. A consumption point in this context is defined as a unit to be supplied that is spatially self-contained and separate from other units. Examples of consumption points include an apartment or a factory building.

PARTIN 1.0 stands for “partner Information.” This is a format for the communication master data of a market partner including, e.g., name, address, tax number and much more. Prior to the implementation of the adjustments to the MaKo by 1 April 2022, the following must occur: the data of the respective market partners must be coordinated bilaterally, for example between the distribution system operator (DSO) and supplier.

UTILTS 1.0 is the format for the metering time definitions in smart metering that allow for dynamic changes in response to variability. This format relates to time-sensitive distinctions in metering data. One such example is the allocation of meter data to different price categories in order to optimise consumption and save on costs. This applies, for example, in the case of heating electricity for “HT/NT” price rates, which allow consumers to optimise costs for heating during the day and at night. This is a basic prerequisite for improving efficiency in the energy industry, which will become increasingly important in the future due to the climate targets set by the German government. In addition, this should pave the way for automated mode changes (meter change).

XML data exchange

Due to the redispatch, additional XML documents were introduced as of 1 October 2021 in order to optimise power plant deployment planning processes. These XML documents are used for communication regarding schedule exchange between distribution system operators and smaller plant operators and the large transmission system operators. The documents supply master data or operational planning data for the power plants, among other things. In addition, further documents are being introduced or amended, which can, for example, communicate non-availability of facilities in order to ensure better planning.

Decision tree diagrams

The document “Decision Tree Diagrams and Code Lists 3.0” (Entscheidungsbaumdiagramme und Codelisten 3.0) must also be observed accordingly. This 400-page document contains all adjustments to decision tree diagrams and other codes – for example, reasons for rejection or reasons for approval – pertaining to the EDIFACT messages. These adjustments ensure that codes are displayed at a higher level of granularity and centred within a document. In this way, it is possible to respond to various scenarios that occur in the energy industry system with the respective available codes – for example, for rejection or approval.

In conclusion, the market participants in the energy industry now have until 1 April 2022 to implement all these changes in their systems; use of these parameters is mandatory. Implementation dates deviating from the specified date are not permitted. In addition, the changes stipulated in GPKE, WiM, MaBIS and MPES must be observed.

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