Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States.
Date: 2020-12-28
Institutions: Directorate-General for Energy
Subjects: EU Member State, access to information, directive (EU), electrical energy, energy consumption, energy distribution, energy grid, energy market, energy transport, exchange of information, gas, retail trade

ASSET STUDY on 
Format and procedures for 
electricity (and gas) data access 
and exchange in Member States 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

AUTHORS 

Dr. Gerd Küpper (Tractebel Impact),  

Maria Chiara Cavarretta (Tractebel Impact),  

Dr. Andreas Ehrenmann (Tractebel Impact),  

Emile Naffah (Tractebel Impact),  

Judit Szilagyi (Tractebel Impact),  

Dries Guldentops (Tractebel Impact),  

Nicolas Rozain (Tractebel Impact),  

Laurence Charlier (Tractebel Impact) 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Directorate-General for Energy  
Directorate for Internal Energy Market  
Unit B.3.: Retail Markets, Consumers and Local Initiatives 
Contact: Constantina Filiou 
E-mail: ENER-B3-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu 
European Commission 
B-1049 Brussels 

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 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Legal Notice 
This document has been prepared for the European Commission. However, it reflects 
the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any 
use which may be made of the information contained therein. More information on the 
European Union is available on the Internet (http://www.europa.eu). 

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2020 

© European Union, 2020  

The reuse policy of European Commission documents is implemented by the 
Commission Decision 2011/833/EU of 12 December 2011 on the reuse of Commission 
documents (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39). Except otherwise noted, the reuse of this 
document is authorised under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY 
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allowed provided appropriate credit is given and any changes are indicated. 

PDF   ISBN  978-92-76-24727-2  doi: 10.2833/719689    MJ-03-20-694-EN-N 

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 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

About the ASSET project 
The ASSET Project (Advanced System Studies for Energy Transition) aims at providing 
studies in support to  EU policy making, research and innovation in the field of energy. 
Studies  are  in  general  focussed  on  the  large-scale  integration  of  renewable  energy 
sources  in  the  EU  electricity  system  and  consider,  in  particular,  aspects  related  to 
consumer  choices,  demand-response,  energy  efficiency,  smart  meters  and  grids, 
storage,  RES  technologies,  etc.  Furthermore,  connections  between  the  electricity  grid 
and  other  networks  (gas,  heating  and  cooling)  as  well  as  synergies  between  these 
networks are assessed. 

The ASSET studies not only summarize the state-of-the-art in these domains, but also 
comprise  detailed  qualitative  and  quantitative  analyses  on  the  basis  of  recognized 
techniques  in  view  of  offering  insights  from  a  technology,  policy  (regulation,  market 
design) and business point of view. 

Disclaimer 
The study is carried out for the European Commission and expresses the opinion of the 
organisation having undertaken them. To this end, it does not  reflect the views  of the 
European  Commission,  TSOs,  project  promoters  and  other  stakeholders  involved.  The 
European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the information given in the 
study, nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof. 

Authors 

This study has been developed as part of the ASSET project by Tractebel Impact. 

Authoring team: Dr. Gerd Küpper, Maria Chiara Cavarretta,  
Dr. Andreas Ehrenmann, Emile Naffah, Judit Szilagyi, Dries Guldentops,  
Nicolas Rozain, Laurence Charlier (Tractebel Impact) 

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 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Executive summary 

Context 

Interoperability of energy services within and across EU Member States is essential 
to  support  the  establishment  of  a  truly  internal  energy  market  with  well-functioning 
retail  markets.  This  can  be  facilitated  via  the  convergence  and,  as  far  as  possible, 
alignment of national practices when it comes to the  efficient exchange of data, and 
easy access to accurate and timely information. Interoperable procedures for data 
access and exchange not only can reduce costs through improved customer processes, 
but they are also expected to render retail energy markets more competitive:  

  it should become easier for energy suppliers to become active in other Member 

States, through compatibility of national data access and exchange practices as well 
as data management models (lower market barriers),  

  customers are given tools and options to get empowered and actively participate in 

the energy market (flexibility and energy services).  

The  aim  of  this  fact-finding  exercise  has  therefore  been  to  map  the  EU  28  Member 
States'  practices  regarding  the  format  and  procedures  in  place  concerning  data 
access and exchange, for electricity and gas, in accordance with Annex  I.1(h) of the 
Electricity  2009/72/EC  and  Gas  2009/73/EC  Directives,  while  also  bearing  in  mind  the 
principles of the Energy Union Strategy (COM[2015] 339 final) and the Clean Energy for 
All  Europeans  Package  (COM[2016]  864  final/2,  in  particular  Articles  19,  20,  23  and 
24).  The  findings  from  this  study  are  meant  to  also  serve  in  the  current  reflection  on 
the  potential  for  convergence  of  the  respective  national  practices  on  the  way  to 
facilitating the interoperability of energy services within the EU1. 

Methodology 

Given  the  wide  range  of  aspects  considered,  the  study  focuses  on  retail  electricity 
consumption data access and exchange. The focus on residential clients is justified 
because  in  most  Member  States  (MS),  already  today,  larger  consumers  have  the 
possibility  to  actively  participate  in  the  market.  The  study  concentrates  on  electricity 
since for most MS, data management systems for electricity and gas are at least similar 
(see Table 16). Also, flexibility and emerging energy services are expected to be  more 
relevant  for  electricity.  For  consumption  data  access  and  exchange,  the  study  focuses 
on 3 aspects: 

  How is consumption data managed in terms of reading, validation, storage and 
exchange between stakeholders for traditional activities of billing and supplier 
switching? Are there common standards at national level and to what extent are they 
compatible between MS?  

  How can customers access their consumption data?  

  How can third parties access the customer’s consumption data?  

The  study  aims  at  reflecting  the  current  (end  of  2017)  status  in  all  28  MS.  Future 
planned changes of the data management model are identified separately. Information 
was gathered through  a combination of interviews and  an in-house undertaken  review 
of national legislation. Interviews were based on questionnaires and held with a variety 
of stakeholders: Distribution System Operators (DSOs), Transmission System Operators 
(TSOs),  National  Regulatory  Authorities  (NRAs),  energy  suppliers,  energy  associations 
and a central platform developer. The present report includes information from 24 MS, 

1 See for instance the related work on interoperability (Expert Group 1)under the Smart 
Grids Task Force. 

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since 4 MS (Bulgaria, Malta, Romania and Slovakia) were not responsive. For 21 out of 
the  24  MS,  the  questionnaire  was  received  and  validated,  i.e.  confirmed  by  the 
interviewee,  together  with  a  country  sheet  providing  a  general  description  of  the 
situation  in  that  country.  For  3  countries,  information  was  gathered,  but  time  has  not 
permitted to complete the last step of the final approval of the country information by 
the interviewee.  

Findings 

Data management models  

In line with the requirements set in Annex I.1(h) and Annex I.2 of the 2009 Electricity 
and Gas Directives, CEER (2015) “understands that there should be a national common 
standard for data content, data format and data exchange in the retail market”2. Also, it 
recommends MS to “explore the costs and benefits of harmonising these standards at a 
broader geographical area, namely at regional and/or European level”.  

The extent to which a data management model relies on single formats and procedures 
depends on the level of granularity considered. Different layers can be distinguished:  

1.  Role  models:  Role  models  describe  the  stakeholders  involved  in  the  data 
management  model  and  the  way  they  interact  with  each  other.  Typical 
stakeholders involved are DSOs and suppliers, independent service providers 
and  data  exchange  platform  administrators.  Data  management  models  can 
involve the same stakeholders, but the way they interact can be different.  

2.  Communication  standards:  From  a  technological  point  of  view,  the  main 
difference  in  the  aforementioned  interaction  relates  to  the  communication 
standard,  or  the  language,  used  between  stakeholders.  There  are  a  few 
international  standards  (EDIFACT,  CIM),  but  communication  standards  can 
also  be  national-specific.  However,  even  within  a  same  communication 
standard (EDIFACT, CIM or a national one), it is not guaranteed that formats 
and semantic choices are unique at regional or national level.  

3.  Policy  choices:  Differences  in  data  management  models  can  be  driven  by 
national-  or  region-specific  energy  or  economic  policy  choices.  Data 
management may differ for instance according to the existence of taxes and 
surcharges  that  need  to  be  considered  in  the  communication  protocols 
between  stakeholders.  Similarly,  data  management  models  differ  in  case  of 
non-standard  procedures  foreseen  in  some  regions  or  countries,  often 
reflecting  regional  or  national  policy  preferences  (e.g.  disconnection  of  a 
consumer for insolvency is possible in one region/country, but not in another 
region/country).  

It  was  beyond  the  scope  of  the  current  study  to  assess  all  layers  of  differences  that 
potentially  exist  within  and  between  MS.  Role  models  are  studied  by  identifying  the 
stakeholder(s) responsible for data management (consumption data reading, validation 
and  storage)  and  by  considering  the  way  they  interact  in  standard  billing  and  supplier 
switching  processes  (the  number  of  interactions  between  stakeholders  for  a  standard 
billing and switching process was considered). Regarding communication standards, the 
general communication standard (EDIFACT, CIM or a national-specific) were looked at, 
without  considering  more  detailed  differences  that  may  exist.  Different  policy  choices 
were not assessed at all. 

Our  findings 
level,  all  MS  have  high-level 
standardized  national  procedures  implemented3.  However,  it  is  likely  that  not 

indicate  that,  at  national 

2 CEER (2015), p. 25 
3  In  principle  and  based  on  the  information  received,  Latvia  has  a  decentralized  data  management  system  without 
standardization of procedures across the country. On the other hand, Latvia has one dominant DSO. De facto, one could argue 

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all of them are fully standardized. Regional differences were not studied but there is 
anecdotal  evidence  that  they  exist  and  they  matter.  For  instance,  ensuring  national 
standards  can  be  more  challenging  if  energy  policy  is  a  regional  competence.4  Hence, 
we cannot exclude that market participants face barriers even within a MS.  

At  EU  level,  we  conclude  that  suppliers  are  likely  to  face  strong  market 
barriers  from  a  data  management  perspective.  The  most 
implemented 
international standard is EDIFACT (BE, DE, FI, LU, SE), yet EDIFACT is a standard only 
at  syntactic  level  but  not  at  semantic  level,  i.e.  it  does  not  involve  a  common 
vocabulary.  The  CIM  International  Standard  might  become  an  alternative  to  EDIFACT, 
as  CIM  is  a  standard  both  on  semantic  and  syntactic  layers  (FI  is  considering  the 
possibility to switch to it). On the other hand, we find that a large number of countries 
have their  own formats.  Interoperability between MS  of data management models can 
thus be questioned. Also, role models differ. In particular, we considered the number of 
interactions between stakeholders for a standard billing and switching process. Although 
this might be an over-simplified indicator, we can nevertheless observe a large variety 
of processes across MS. Again, regional differences regarding policy and communication 
format choices are expected to be stronger between than within MS. Even if 2 MS use 
EDIFACT  as  a  basis  for  their  communication,  it  does  not  necessarily  mean  that  the 
communication is compatible.  

Access to data and emerging energy and flexibility services  

Easy  access  to  accurate  and  timely  data  through  smart  meter  deployment  is  a  pre-
condition for the emergence of flexibility and novel energy services. Today, the level of 
smart meter coverage varies widely, from MS having reached (almost) full coverage 
(e.g. SE, FI, IT, EE, MT, ES) to MS currently examining smart meter roll-out or running 
pilot projects (e.g. BE, HU, LT).  

Smart meters being rolled out do not necessarily comply with the 10 common minimum 
functionalities recommended by the EC (2012/148/EU) and in particular with those that 
can  deliver  benefits  to  consumers,  namely  [a]  (provide  readings  directly  to  the 
customer and any third party designated by him), [b] (update the readings frequently 
enough) and [f] (support advanced tariff systems). For instance, functionality [b] ([f]) 
is not implemented in ES (DK). AT  reports that all functionalities are possible,  but can 
be activated only in specific contexts and only with the consent of the customer.  

Consumption  data  access  opportunities  by  customers  and  third  parties  between 
countries are heterogeneous. This is partially linked to the smart meter coverage. With 
the roll-out of smart meters the options for data access broaden. Due to the absence of 
a  validation  process,  historical  and  (near)  real-time  data  available  directly  from  the 
smart  meter  is  usually  non-validated,  except  for  AT  and  to  a  lesser  extent  for  DE  and 
LT. Progressively, MS facilitate customer access to historical consumption data on a web 
portal.  The  portal  is  provided  either  by  the  DSO,  the  supplier  or,  where  available,  the 
central  data  hub  operator.  At  least  one  of  these  options  is  available  in  almost  all 
countries where smart meters are being rolled-out. However, only a few countries make 
(near)  real-time  data  available  on  compulsory  web  portals.  The  DSO  web  portal  or 
direct contact with the DSO are the most common interfaces available for third parties 

that procedures are standardized. For the UK, the Data Communications Company (DCC) has been mandated to contribute to 
the introduction of a central switching programme (ongoing). Consumption data can already be accessed through a central DCC 
interface.  

4 In Belgium, for instance, the so-called “Turteltaks” to finance renewable energy was raised in Flanders but not in Wallonia. This 
tax needs to be treated in the information exchange between suppliers and DSOs.  

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 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

to  access  validated  data.  Non-validated  data  is  usually  available  via  the  smart  meter 
gateway and, in a few countries, via a compulsory web portal.  

Giving and revoking consent is the key  requirement on which customer  control is built 
on,  especially  in  the  light  of  the  General  Data  Protection  Regulation  (GDPR,  2016), 
enforceable  from  May  2018.  However,  the  information  we  gathered  indicates  that  a 
fully transparent consent mechanism is usually not implemented yet:  

1.  For all the countries but PL the customer is the actor giving the right to third 

parties to access his validated consumption data;  

2.  A  clear  protocol  that  enables  the  customer  to  actively  control  third  parties’ 

access is defined in DK, EE, ES and PT;  

3.  FI,  FR  and  UK  are  planning  to  enable  the  customer  to  exercise  this  control 
beyond the traditional consent or authorization. Other countries (Italy) have 
started a consultation process;  

4.  All  other  countries  rely  on  the  customer’s  consent,  generally  written  but 

sometimes also oral;  

5.  For countries like EL, LV, PL and SI, this control is identified by the current 
energy contract: third parties (except the current supplier) are not meant to 
have  access  to  validated  data.  The  same  can  be  said  for  other  countries 
where  current  regulation  has  not  disciplined  access  to  validated  data  for 
third  parties  (beyond  the  chosen  supplier):  in  principle  third  parties  can’t 
access to customer’s validated data unless the customer delegates access to 
the web portal, when available. The most concerning observation was that in 
countries  without  well-defined  data  access  procedures,  clients  grant  access 
to third parties by providing credentials (like the password) to a web portal. 
This  is  problematic  since  clients  lose  control  on  the  data  once  they  have 
given their credentials.  

Recommendations  

Based  on  the  present  fact-finding  exercise,  there  are  differences  among  MS  when  it 
comes to access and exchange of data, and we cannot exclude barriers even within MS. 
In  the  light  of  our  observations,  a  number  of  recommendations  can  therefore  be 
formulated:  

1. To reduce potential market barriers within a MS, we propose that  

  national authorities further reinforce the collaboration of stakeholders in national 

forums and working groups5. In particular, it should be ensured that all concerned 
parties, including traditional stakeholders and new energy service companies 
(ESCOs), are well represented;  

  the national regulator should enforce compliance with a single national format. This is 

especially the case in decentralized data management systems6 and in countries 
where energy policy is a regional competence. In particular, the national regulator 
should verify whether national formats are general enough to accommodate 
differences in regional policy choices. 

5  We  find  that  almost  all  MS  enable  at  least  some  form  of  collaboration  between  stakeholders  (DSOs, 
suppliers, TSOs, regulators, etc.) in developing further formats and procedures.   

6 Thema (2017, p.10), “decentralized solutions […] can reduce, but not fully eliminate, market barriers 
if the processes, data types and communication interfaces are legally binding and if the regulator has 
enough authority to enforce compliance.”   

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2. To reduce market barriers between MS, we propose that  

  the national regulator increases transparency at MS level, by making publicly 

available on a website the role models, the data formats and all standard as well as 
non-standard procedures for processes such as supplier switching and billing. Only 12 
out of the 24 responding countries provided at least some publically available 
descriptions of billing and supplier switching processes (see Table 18). Furthermore, 
the EC could consider setting up a European website where national procedures are 
collected and centrally published in at least one common EU language;  

  standardization organizations update existing international standards, like CIM, as a 
pivot language ensuring the compatibility of national communication choices. Clearly 
defined national formats and procedures are a pre-condition for an efficient mapping.  

3. With regard to the consumption data access by customers and third parties, we 
believe that the existence of a transparent consent management for giving, 
and especially revoking access should be the first priority to be addressed 
by  MS  deploying  smart  metering  systems.  We  found  out  that  today,  clearly 
defined consent mechanisms do not usually exist. Since this is new and we do not 
have  legacy  systems  in  place  yet,  we  invite  the  EC  to  promote  harmonized 
consent mechanisms across MS.  

4.  More  generally,  we  urge  the  EC  to  reflect  on  a  Cost-Benefit  Analysis  for 
aligning  national  practices  for  data  access  and  exchange  as  part  of  an  impact 
assessment  to  support  secondary  legislation  promoting  interoperability  of 
energy  services.  Facilitating  interoperability  within  and  especially  between  MS 
will be a further step towards the establishment of a truly internal energy market 
with well-functioning retail markets. Market barriers are lowered and new services 
and  more  choice  can  be  delivered  to  customers.  On  the  other  hand, 
interoperability  of  systems  comes  at  a  cost.  The  CBA  should  thus  identify  the 
different  pathways  towards  convergence  and  address  the  right  balance  between 
stronger  interoperability7  and  extent  of  benefits  provided  to  customers  and  the 
energy system as a whole.  

At the same time, we believe that the analysis should revisit the implication of a certain 
role model, and in particular the stakeholders  and  the flows involved, for consumption 
data  access  and  sharing.  With  the  objective  of  promoting  retail  competition,  one 
accordingly  can  question  roles  to  be  executed  in  the  same  way  depending  on  the 
stakeholder  defined  for  these  roles.  Different  role  models  are  thus  expected  to 
imply different levels of operating, capital and maintenance costs.  

interviews  held,  we  expect  that  a  high  degree  of 
Finally,  based  on  the 
harmonisation,  as  opposed  to  alignment  or  some  level  of  convergence  of 
national practices, will be rather challenging to achieve and might face strong 
opposition from stakeholders in MS: Data management choices tend to be driven by 
historical  reasons  and  especially  by  the  number  of  DSOs8;  also  countries  having 

7 The Smart Grids Architecture Model (SGAM) framework (CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination 
Group,2012)  defines  5  layers  of  interoperability,  going  from  more  technical  to  more  business  related 
aspects.   
8 Several countries have officially (DK, EE, NL, PL, PT – because of a central data hub) or de facto (CY, 
EL,  FR,  HR,  IE,  LT,  LV,  PL)  a  centralized  system  because  there  is  one  single  or  a  dominant  DSO 
managing  the  system.  On  the  other  hand,  countries  like  AT  and  DE  (more  than  resp.  130  and  890 

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recently  invested  in  their  system  will  not  be  inclined  to  change  again.  Therefore,  a 
robust  analysis  of  the  costs  and  benefits  involved  in  aligned  practices  of  data 
access  and  exchange  within  the  EU  should  be  carefully  and  timely  undertaken  as 
to build confidence in any proposed changes. 

DSOs) have a decentralized, DSO-based management system and there are currently no discussions of 
changing this.   

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Table of Contents 

About the ASSET project .................................................................................... 4 
Disclaimer ........................................................................................................ 4 
Executive summary ........................................................................................... 5 
Context ............................................................................................................ 5 
Methodology ..................................................................................................... 5 
Findings ........................................................................................................... 6 
List of tables ....................................................................................................13 
List of figures ...................................................................................................15 
Glossary ..........................................................................................................16 
Study Objective ................................................................................................20 
Methodology ....................................................................................................21 
Activities considered .........................................................................................21 
Type of information collected .............................................................................22 
Information collection process ............................................................................23 
Report structure ...............................................................................................24 
Literature review ..............................................................................................25 
Economic background .......................................................................................25 
Smart meter roll-out and standardization ............................................................25 
Data protection ................................................................................................29 
Related background documentation ....................................................................30 
What is missing ................................................................................................33 
References.......................................................................................................33 
Study findings ..................................................................................................34 
Traditional business processes: Supplier Switching and Billing ................................34 
Emerging Services ............................................................................................45 
Status of GDPR for electricity and gas .................................................................53 
Country Sheets ................................................................................................67 
Austria  (AT) ....................................................................................................67 
Belgium (BE) ...................................................................................................68 
Czech Republic (CZ)..........................................................................................70 
Cyprus (CY) .....................................................................................................70 
Germany (DE) ..................................................................................................72 
Denmark (DK) ..................................................................................................74 
Estonia (EE) .....................................................................................................76 
Greece (EL) .....................................................................................................78 
Spain (ES) .......................................................................................................80 
Finland (FI) ......................................................................................................83 
France (FR) ......................................................................................................86 
Croatia (HR) ....................................................................................................87 
Hungary (HU) ..................................................................................................88 
Ireland (IE)......................................................................................................89 
Italy (IT) .........................................................................................................89 
Lithuania (LT) ..................................................................................................95 
Luxembourg (LU) .............................................................................................96 
Latvia (LV) .......................................................................................................97 
Netherlands (NL) ..............................................................................................98 
Poland (PL) ......................................................................................................99 
Portugal (PT) ................................................................................................. 100 
Sweden (SE) .................................................................................................. 102 
Slovenia (SI) ................................................................................................. 103 
United Kingdom (UK) ...................................................................................... 104 
Final comments .............................................................................................. 105 
Appendix ....................................................................................................... 108 

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Electricity vs. Gas ........................................................................................... 108 
Technical terms explained ............................................................................... 109 
Switching and Billing Processes: roles and sequence description (electricity) .......... 117 

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List of tables 

Table 1 National contacts ........................................................................................................ 24 
Table 2 Data management model ......................................................................................... 37 
Table 3: Roles in consumption data management ............................................................ 39 
Table 4 Consumption data storage ....................................................................................... 40 
Table 5: Communication formats .......................................................................................... 41 
Table 6: Billing and Switching processes: number of steps of a standard process... 43 
Table 7: National coordination of processes....................................................................... 45 
Table 8: Smart meter roll-out................................................................................................ 47 
Table 9: History and granularity of data stored ................................................................ 48 
Table 10: Smart meter requirements fulfilment ................................................................ 50 
Table 11: Smart meter features ............................................................................................ 52 
Table 12: Customer’s access to historic consumption data ............................................ 55 
Table 13: Customer’s access to real time consumption data ......................................... 56 
Table 14: Third party access to customer's consumption data...................................... 59 
Table 15: Customer’s control on third party access ......................................................... 66 
Table 16 Gas vs. Electricity data management ............................................................... 109 
Table 17: Layers and Protocols ........................................................................................... 115 
Table 18: Processes: information provided by contributors ......................................... 118 
Table 19 Austria Overview of Processes ............................................................................ 118 
Table 20 Austria Switching Process .................................................................................... 119 
Table 21 Belgium Switching Process .................................................................................. 120 
Table 22: Germany Switching Process – Electricity ........................................................ 121 
Table 23: Germany Billing Process - Electricity ............................................................... 121 
Table 24: Denmark Switching Process - Electricity ........................................................ 123 
Table 25: Estonia Switching Process – Electricity ........................................................... 123 
Table 26: Estonia Billing Process - Electricity .................................................................. 123 
Table 27: Greece Switching Process – Electricity ............................................................ 125 
Table 28: Greece Billing Process - Electricity ................................................................... 125 
Table 29: Spain Switching Process – Electricity .............................................................. 126 
Table 30: Spain Billing Process - Electricity ..................................................................... 127 
Table 31: Finland Switching Process – Electricity ........................................................... 127 
Table 32: Finland Billing Process – Electricity .................................................................. 127 
Table 33 : France Switching Process – Electricity ........................................................... 129 
Table 34: Croatia Switching Process – Electricity ........................................................... 130 
Table 35: Croatia Billing Process - Electricity ................................................................... 130 
Table 36: Italy Switching Process - Electricity ................................................................. 132 
Table 37: Italy Billing Process - Electricity ....................................................................... 132 
Table 38: Lithuania Switching Process - Electricity ........................................................ 133 
Table 39: Lithuania Billing Process - Electricity ............................................................... 133 
Table 40: Luxembourg Switching Process - Electricity .................................................. 134 
Table 41: Luxembourg Billing Process - Electricity ......................................................... 134 
Table 42: Latvia Switching Process - Electricity .............................................................. 136 
Table 43: Latvia Billing Process - Electricity ..................................................................... 136 
Table 44:  Netherland Switching Process – Electricity ................................................... 137 
Table 45: Poland Switching Process – Electricity ............................................................ 138 
Table 46: Poland Billing Process – Electricity ................................................................... 138 
Table 47: Portugal Switching Process - Electricity .......................................................... 139 
Table 48: Sweden Switching Process - Electricity ........................................................... 140 
Table 49: Sweden Billing Process - Electricity ................................................................. 140 

March 2018  I  13 

 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Table 50: Slovenia Switching Process – Electricity ......................................................... 141 
Table 51: Slovenia Billing Process - Electricity ................................................................ 141 
Table 52: United Kingdom Switching Process - Electricity ............................................ 142 
Table 53: United Kingdom Billing Process – Electricity .................................................. 142 

March 2018  I  14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

List of figures 

Figure 1 Smart metering reference architecture ........................................................................... 27 
Figure 2 Minimum functionalities for smart metering systems .................................................. 28 
Figure 3 Local interfaces for information exchange and interworking ..................................... 28 
Figure  4  Main  standards  in  use  in  Member  States  considered  to  provide  data  to 
consumers .............................................................................................................................................. 31 
Figure 5 Data management models in 8 Member States ............................................................ 32 
Figure 6: Data Management System: Models across MS ............................................................ 35 
Figure 7: Communication standards and number of steps in a switching process ............... 42 
Figure 8 The current SII data management model for switching processes .......................... 90 
Figure  9:  Future  consumption  data  flow  with  SII  as  centralized  platform  for 
consumption data and smart meters 2G ......................................................................................... 90 
Figure  10  Smart  Control  of  Energy  Distribution  Grids  over  Heterogeneous 
Communication Networks (2014) ................................................................................................... 110 
Figure 11 – Linky interactions with in-home and network devices ......................................... 111 
Figure 12 –    Smart  Metering: complete spectrum  of potential  parties  involved and 
possible relationships ......................................................................................................................... 116 
Figure 13: Germany: Switching procedure ................................................................................... 122 
Figure 14: Switching process ........................................................................................................... 126 
Figure 15: Finland Switching Process ............................................................................................ 128 
Figure 16 Finland Notice of hourly metered data to the Supplier ........................................... 128 
Figure 17: France Switching Process ............................................................................................. 129 
Figure 18: Luxembourg Switching Process ................................................................................... 134 
Figure 19: : Luxembourg Billing Process ...................................................................................... 135 

March 2018  I  15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Glossary 

1G,  2G,  3G, 
4G 
ACM 
Agence ORE 
AMI 
AN 

AS 
ASN 
BNetzA 
CBA 
CC&B 
CCP 

CEFACT 
CEN 
CEER 
CENELEC 
CERA 
CIM 

CMS 
CNMC 
CRM 
COSEM 
CP 
CRM 

CSV 
CUPS 
CWaPE 
DCC 
DEP 
DG 

DLMS 
DMS 
DNO 
DPA 
DSM 
DSO 

EAN 
EbIX 
ebXML 
EC 

First, Second, Third, Fourth Generation 

Authority for Consumers & Markets 
Energy Network Operator’s Agency 
Advanced Metering Infrastructure 
Access Network 

Applicability Statement 
Abstract Syntax Notation 
Bundesnetzagentur 
Cost Benefit Analysis 
Customer Care and Billing 
Contract Control Protocol 

Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business 
European Committee for Standardization 
Council of European Energy Regulators 
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization 
Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority 
Common Information Model 

Central Market System 
Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia 
Customer Relationship Management 
Companion Specification for Energy Metering 
Charging Point 
Customer Relationship Management 

Comma-separated values 
Código Unificado del Punto de Suministro 
Commission wallonne pour l’Energie 
Data Communications Company 
Data Exchange Platform 
Distributed Generation 

Device Language Message Specification 
Data Management System 
Distribution Network Operator 
Data Protection Act 
Demand Side Management 
Distribution System Operator 

European Article Numbering 
European forum for energy Business Information eXchange9 
Electronic business XML 
European Commission 

9  EbIX  is  a  non-profit  European  organisation  with  the  avowed  objectives  to  advance, 
develop  and  standardise  the  use  of  electronic  information  exchange  in  the  European 
energy industry. 

March 2018  I  16 

 
 
 
                                           
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

EDIEL 
EDIFACT 
EDM 

Electronic Data Interchange for the Electricity Industry 
Electronic Data Interchange For Administration 
Energy Data Management 

EG1 
EMG 
ESCo 
ETSI 
EU 
EV 

FING 
FTP 
GBCS 
GDPR 
GPRS 
HROTE 

HTTP 
HTTPS 
ICT 

IEC 
IETF 
IPET Section 
ISO/OSI 

JSON 
LAN/LN 
LNAP 
LV 

M2M 
MDM 
MDMS 
MID 
MRSO 
MS 

MSCONS 
MV 
NA 
NAN/NN 
NEDU 
NIST 
NNAP 

NRA 
NSA 
NV 
PDF 
PDR 

Expert Group 1 of the Smart Grid Task Force:  
Energy Management Gateway 
Energy Service Company 
European Telecommunications Standards Institute 
European Union 
Electrical Vehicle 

Foundation Internet Nouvelle Génération 
File Transfer Protocol 
Great Britain Companion Specification 
General Data Protection Regulation 
General Packet Radio Service 
Hrvatski  Operator  Tržišta  Energije  d.o.o.  (Croatian  Energy 
Market Operator) 
HyperText Transfer Protocol 
HTTP Secure 
Information and Communication Technology 

International Electrotechnical Commission 
Internet Engineering Task Force 
Energy Market Data Exchange Section  
International  Organization  for  Standardization  /  Open  Systems 
Interconnection 
JavaScript Object Notation 
Local Area Network 
Local Network Access Point 
Low Voltage 

Machine to Machine 
Meter Data Management 
Meter Data Management System 
Measuring Instruments Directive 
Meter Registration System Operator 
Member States 

Metered Services Consumption report message 
Medium Voltage 
Not Available 
Neighbourhood (Area) Network 
Nederlandse EnergieData Uitwisseling 
National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Neighbourhood Network Access Point 

National Regulatory Authority 
National Security Agency 
Non-validated datas 
Portable Document Format 
Punto di Riconsegna 

March 2018  I  17 

 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

PLC 
PoD 
PRIME 

PV 
PVPC 
QoS 
RDF 
RF 
RFC 

SCL 
SCM 
SCTD 
SEC 
SII 
SIM 

SIPS 

SM 
SME 

SMET 
SMTP 
SOAP 
TC 
TCFM 
TSO 

USP 
V 
VAN 
VREG 
VRM 
WAN 

XML 
ZSE 

Power Line Communications 
Point of Delivery 
PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution 

Photovoltaic 
Precio Voluntario del Pequeño Consumidor 
Quality of Service 
Resource Definition Framework 
Radio Frequency 
Request for Comments 

Substation Configuration description Language 
Secured Communication Module 
Sistema de Comunicación Transporte-Distribución 
Smart Energy Code 
Sistema Informativo Integrato (Integrated Information System) 
Subscriber Identity Module 

Sistema  de  Información  de  Puntos  de  Suministro  (Supply  point 
Information System) 
Smart Meter 
Small Medium Enterprise 

Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications 
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol 
Simple Object Access Protocol 
Technical Committee 
Télécommande Centralisée à Fréquence Musicale 
Transmission System Operator 

Universal Service Provider 
Validated Data 
Value Added Network 
Vlaamse Regulator voor de Elektriciteits en Gasmarkt 
Vendor Relationship Management 
Wide Area Network 

eXtensible Markup Language 
ZigBee Smart Energy 

March 2018  I  18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Country codes: 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Austria 
Belgium 
Bulgaria 
Cyprus 
Czech Republic 
Germany 
Denmark 
Estonia 
Greece 
Spain 
Finland 
France 
Croatia 
Hungary 
Ireland 
Italy 
Lithuania 
Luxembourg 
Latvia 
Malta 
Netherlands 
Poland 
Portugal 
Romania 
Sweden 
Slovenia 
Slovakia 
United Kingdom  

March 2018  I  19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Study Objective 

Under the current provisions in the Electricity and Gas Directives10, Member States shall 
define  at  national  level  a  single  format  and  procedure  for  consumers  and,  under  their 
explicit  consent,  supply  undertakings  should  have  access  to  their  meter  data  at  no 
additional  cost.  More  recently,  the  European  Commission  has  initiated  important 
measures to strengthen the consumer empowerment, as described in the Energy Union 
Strategy11, the new Market Design Initiative under the "Clean Energy for All Europeans" 
Package  and  more  specifically,  with  regards  to  the  proposal  for  a  revised  electricity 
Directive (articles 23 and 24)12: 

Article 23 (1&2): 

1.  “When  setting  up  the  rules  regarding  the  management  and  exchange  of  data, 
Member  States  or,  where  a  Member  State  has  so  provided,  the  designated 
competent  authorities  shall  specify  the  eligible  parties  which  may  have 
access to data of the final customer with their explicit consent in accordance 
with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council. For 
the  purpose  of  this  Directive,  data  shall  include  metering  and  consumption 
data  as  well  as  data  required  for  consumer  switching.  Eligible  parties  shall 
include  at  least  customers,  suppliers,  transmission  and  distribution  system 
operators,  aggregators,  energy  service  companies,  and  other  parties  which 
provide energy or other services to customers.” 

2.  “Member  States  shall  organise  the  management  of  data  in  order  to  ensure 
efficient data access and exchange. Independently of the data management model 
applied  in  each  Member  State,  the  party  or  parties  responsible  for  data 
management  shall  provide  to  any  eligible  party  with  the  explicit  consent  of  the 
final  customer,  access  to  the  data  of  the  final  customer.  Eligible  parties  should 
have  at  their  disposal  in  a  non-discriminatory  manner  and  simultaneously  the 
requested  data.  Access  to  data  shall  be  easy,  while  relevant  procedures 
shall be made publicly available.” 

Article 24 (1&2): 

1.  “Member  States  shall  define  a  common  data  format  and  a  transparent 
procedure  for  eligible  parties  to  have  access  to  the  data  listed  under  Article  23 
(1),  in  order  to  promote  competition  in  the  retail  market  and  avoid  excessive 
administrative costs for the eligible parties.” 

2. “The Commission, by means of implementing acts adopted in accordance with 
the  advisory  procedure  referred  to  in  Article  68,  shall  determine  a  common 
European data format and non-discriminatory and transparent procedures 
for accessing the data, listed under Article 23 (1), that will replace national data 
format and procedure adopted by Member States in accordance with paragraph 1. 
Member  States  shall  ensure  that  market  participants  apply  a  common  European 
data format.” 

Furthermore,  Article  19  strongly  invites  Member  States  to  promote  new  services 
(energy  management  services,  innovative  pricing  formulas)  and  the  introduction  of 
smart metering systems. These systems should comply with minimum functional and 
technical  requirements.  Also,  they  should  be  interoperable  and  able  to  connect  with 
consumer energy management platforms (Articles 19&20). This is seen as essential for 
the development of the internal market in electricity. 

10 Annex 1.1(h) of Directive 2009/72/EC and Directive 2009/73/EC 
11 COM(2015) 339 final. 
12 COM(2016) 864 final/2, 23.2.2017. 

March 2018  I  20 

 
 
 
                                           
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

In  practice,  Member  States  are  progressing  at  different  speeds  with  the 
implementation  of  the  obligation  under  Annex  I.1  of  the  current  Directives  for 
electricity  and  gas,  and  diverging  practices  are  emerging  usually  reflecting 
domestic needs and requirements. The aim of this study is to map the EU 28 
Member  States'  practices  regarding  the  format  and  procedures  in  place 
regarding  data  access  and  exchange,  for  electricity  and  gas, 
in 
accordance  with  Annex  I.1(h)  of  the  Electricity  2009/72/EC  and  Gas 
2009/73/EC Directive. 

To  this  respect,  and  with  emphasis  on  electricity,  the  study  should  map  national 
practices  and  present  detailed  information  for  all  EU-28  Member  States 
concerning: 
 

Data  formats  and  procedures  (including  consumer  consent  process)  for 

access and exchange used in Member States, and 

 

Progress towards establishing a single national framework.  

The results should: 
 

Reveal  the  state-of-the-art  and  progress  level  in  the  EU-28  with  respect 
to  data  access  for  traditional  activities/processes  such  as  billing  and  switching 
of  suppliers,  and  also  for  processes  in  support  of  flexibility  and  emerging 
services. 

 

 

Reveal  the  state-of-the-art  and  progress  level  in  the  EU-28  with  respect 
to Smart  meter integration, energy management integration and  data formats 
used. 

Help  identify  the  extent  of  commonalities  and  differences  in  the  formats 

and procedures set in place at national level. 

Methodology 

Activities considered 
In  order  to  map  MS’  practices  in  place  regarding  the  format  and  procedures  for 
accessing  and  exchanging  data  in  the  case  of  electricity  (and  gas),  three  activities 
have been investigated: 

1.  supplier switching processes 

2.  customer billing processes 

3.  Support for flexibility and emerging energy services 

March 2018  I  21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

While activities 1 and 2 are traditional activities usually involving customers, DSOs 
and suppliers, activity  3 relates to  enabling the customer actively participate in novel 
energy services, including demand response and self-generation. 

For  the  traditional  activities,  the  current  data  management  architecture  sets  the 
framework for roles and processes and hence needs to be considered in its current form 
and expected evolution. With the consumer getting empowered through improved data 
access enabled by smart meter technologies, a series of new activities (3) is expected 
to  emerge.  The  access  to  metering  data  by  the  customer  and  third  parties  is  hence 
crucial, also in light of the compliance with the GDPR.  

Given  the  wide  range  of  aspects  considered,  the  study  focuses  on  retail  electricity 
consumption data access and exchange. The focus on residential clients is justified 
because  in  most  MS,  larger  consumers  have  the  possibility  already  today  to  actively 
participate in the market. The study concentrates on electricity since for most MS, data 
management  systems  for  electricity  and  gas  are  at  least  similar.  Also,  flexibility  and 
emerging energy services are expected to be more relevant for electricity. 

Type of information collected 

For the traditional activities 1 and 2, the following aspects have been studied: 

  What is the data management architecture of today and how is it expected to 

evolve?  

  What are the roles and what is the process developed to give access to the data 

(e.g. role model) to eligible parties; 

  Which data format (EDIFACT, CIM, XML, CSV, etc.) and technology are used (XML, 

CSV, HTTP, FTP, Platforms, and - to the extent that information is available on - 
security, data privacy, performance, validation, authentication, non-repudiation, etc.) 
to provide final customers with their energy consumption data and suppliers and 
other eligible stakeholders with metering and market data (with consumers' consent 
when personal data is concerned and in line with the General Data Protection 
Regulation 2016/679). 

  What are the steps in the business processes for switching and billing? 

Flexibility  and  emerging  energy  services  encompass  various  activities.  They  all 
have in common that consumers and other market participants need to have access to 
accurate  and  timely  information.  The  presence  of  smart  meter  systems  is  therefore  a 
necessary  condition.  Two  aspects  have  been  investigated:  The  functionalities  of  the 
smart meter and the access rules for the data collected. 

 Functionalities: 

  What kind of historical data is stored in the smart meter or the DSO/supplier and for 

which time horizon? 

  What kind of real time data is collected by the smart meter? 

  What functionalities are legally required for the smart meter? 

Access to data:  

  Data access by final customers: does the consumer easily have access to data from 
the smart meter? Which type of data is available (granularity, historical data, access 
to real-time data)? Which technology and standards are used for exchanging data?  

March 2018  I  22 

 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

  Data access for third parties: How can third parties access historical and real-time 

consumption data?  What are the access rules?  

Information collection process 
For the collection of the country information, we relied on desk research, questionnaires 
and expert interviews. We proceeded in 2 steps: 

Questionnaire generation: 

- 

- 

A  first  version  of  a  questionnaire  was  prepared  based  on  desktop 
research and tested on a subset of the 28 Member States (BE, DE, DK, ES, EE, 
FI,  FR,  IT,  NL,  UK).  For  this  subgroup  of  countries,  information  was  mostly 
available  from  previous  studies,  which  was  then  complemented  with  country 
expert interviews. The findings were presented to the  members of the Expert 
Group on standards and interoperability (EG1) of the Smart Grids Task Force.13  
Based  on  the  feedback  received,  a  refined  questionnaire  was  developed 
and  validated  by  the  EG1.  The  final  questionnaire  was  then  used  for  all 
responding Member States. 

The interview process: 

1. 

2. 

The  questionnaire  was  sent  to  the  national  expert  who  filled  in  the 

questionnaire before the interview;  

A one hour interview was performed with the national expert to complete 
the  questionnaire,  to  clarify  any  open  question  but  also  to  identify  specific 
national issues that are not easily identifiable in a general questionnaire;  

3. 

A final version of the questionnaire and a  country  sheet were send back 

to the national expert for validation 

Identification of national contacts: 

With  the  help  of  the  EC,  the  EG1,  CEER  and  Eurelectric,  a  list  of  national  experts  was 
identified  and  contacted.  The  names  and  affiliation  of  the  identified  experts  for 
electricity and gas can be obtained on request. In Table 1, the participating authorities, 
associations and companies are listed. 

13  Smart  Grids  Task  Force:  https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/markets-and-
consumers/smart-grids-and-meters/smart-grids-task-force.  

March 2018  I  23 

 
 
 
 
 
                                           
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Table 1 National contacts 

The  colour  code  indicates  if  we  were  able  to  fully  implement  the  data  collection 
methodology  for  electricity.  Green  means  that  a  questionnaire  was  received  and 
validated, i.e. confirmed by the interviewee, together with the country sheet.  The four 
red  boxes  indicate  the  countries  where  it  was  not  possible  to  receive  a  response.  The 
three orange boxes indicate that the process could only partially be implemented (either 
only a questionnaire has been received but no interview, or no final validation has been 
received).    Although  gas-specific  aspects  are  not  considered  in  this  report,  we 
nevertheless provide the contacts we could identify and indicate whether a gas-specific 
questionnaire was received. 

 Report structure 
The remainder of the report is structured as follows: before starting the analysis of the 
activities considered, we provide a literature review. Also, we present in more detail the 
European  regulatory  context  and  the  underlying  economic  goals  (Section  0).  We 
continue with presenting our findings in Section 0. As of Section 0, a country sheet for 
results.
each  Member 

presents  more 

country-specific, 

detailed, 

State 

March 2018  I  24 

overal statuscontact Electricitycontact GasBEAtriasidem, no separate questionnaireDKDanish Energy Association Dansk EnergiDanish TSO Energinet & Danish Energy Association Dansk Energi: validated paragraph, questionnaire received but not-validatedEETSO Eleringidem: validated questionnaire and paragraphFIFinnish Energy -Trade Association & Energy AuthorityEnergy Authority: validated questionnaire and paragraphFREnedisGRDF, questionnaire receivedDEBDEWidemUKEnergy UK, energy associationidemITEnelidem: validated questionnaire and paragraphESEnelNo contact available, questionnaire not received, but paragraph edited during Scope I, comments, received in September, have been integratedNLAliander, DSOidem, no separate questionnaireATEnergie AG, supplieridemBG//HRHERA, regulator & HEP, TSOHERA, regulator: validated questionnaireCYCERA, Cyprus Energy Regulatory AuthorityNo liberalized marketCZCEZ, DSOno contactELHEDNO, DSOidem: validated questionnaire and paragraphHUMEKH, regulatoridem: validated questionnaire and paragraphIECRU, regulatoridem, no questionnaire receivedLVPublic Utilities Commissionidem: validated questionnaire and paragraphLTESO, supplieridem: validated questionnaire and paragraphLUILR, regulatoridem, questionnaire receivedMT//PLEnerga, supplierPSG, DSO; no questionnaire received; no interview donePTEDPREN, DSO: questionnaire received but both questionnaire and paragraph non-validatedRO//SK//SIBorzen, Market operatorTSO Gas: questionnaire receivedSEEllevio, DSONo Contact available 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Literature review 

Economic background 
Easy  access  to  accurate  and  timely  energy  consumption  data  is  key  for  the  further 
development of efficient retail markets. Smart meters in particular have more than just 
the potential to reduce the costs of the customer processes, through more accurate and 
automatic  data  available  for  billing  and  supplier  switching.  They  also  facilitate  market 
openness  and  assist  the  active  participation  of  consumers  (consumer  empowerment). 
Smart  meters  enable  innovative  pricing  formulas,  consumers  to  share  their  data  for 
participation in flexibility markets via aggregators, the development and uptake of new 
products  regarding energy efficiency offered by ESCOs,  etc.  In this way, smart meters 
also  support  the  achievement  of  the  20/20/20  targets.  Market  openness  is  further 
supported  by  data  management  systems  being  interoperable  within  and  between  MS: 
market barriers are lowered, since energy suppliers do not need to adapt their internal 
data management system to become active in other regions or MS. 

It is for this reason that the European Union Electricity and Gas Directives14 of the Third 
Legislative  Package  in  2009  stated  that  “customers  should  have  at  their  disposal  their 
consumption data, and shall be able to, by explicit agreement and free of charge, give 
any registered supply undertaking access to its metering data. The party responsible for 
data  management  shall  be  obliged  to  give  those  data  to  the  undertaking.  Member 
States shall define a  format for the data and a procedure  for suppliers and consumers 
to  have  access  to  the  data.  No  additional  costs  shall  be  charged  to  the  consumer  for 
that  service.”  Also,  it  is  strongly  recommended  that  MS  introduce  intelligent  metering 
systems and that they  ensure interoperability of these systems within their territories. 
Furthermore,  the  importance  of  the  use  of  standards  and  best  practices  for  the 
development  of  the  internal  market  is  stressed.15  Where  roll-out  of  smart  meters  is 
assessed  positively,  at  least  80 %  of  electricity  meters  shall  be  replaced  by  intelligent 
metering  systems  by  2020.  On  November  30th  2016,  the  Commission  published a 
proposal16 stating that all consumers should be entitled, if they wish so, to have a smart 
meter installed where there is no systematic roll-out of or smart metering is negatively 
assessed as a result of cost-benefit assessment (Article 21). Smart meters should allow 
consumers  to  reap  the  benefits  of  the  progressive  digitalization  of  the  energy  market 
via  several  different  functions.  Consumers  should  also  be  able  to  access  dynamic 
electricity price contracts. 

 Smart meter roll-out and standardization 
17 EU Member States are proceeding with a wide-scale smart metering roll-out (at least 
80% penetration rate by 2020) for electricity and 2 Member States with a selective (up 
to 23% penetration rate) roll-out. For gas, 7 Member States intend to roll-out a total of 
45 million gas smart meters by 2020.17 

The wider use of  smart metering technologies is expected to dramatically increase the 
amount  and  granularity,  but  also  the  commercial  value,  of  data  generated  and 

14 Annex I.1(h) of Directive 2009/72/EC and Directive 2009/73/EC 
15 Annex I.2 of Directive 2009/72/EC and Directive 2009/73/EC 
16 COM(2016) 864 final 
17 Commission Report COM(2014) 356, as updated in the Smart Grids Task Force EG1 Report: “Status 
report based on a survey regarding Interoperability, Standards and Functionalities applied in the large 
scale roll-out of smart metering in EU Member States”, October 2015. 

March 2018  I  25 

 
 
 
                                           
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

exchanged  within  the  (power)  system,  making  the  obligation  for  a  single  data  format 
and procedure even more topical.  

The  European  Commission  has  therefore  issued  mandates,  namely  on  smart  meters 
M/441 and smart grids M/490, which have led to the development and update of related 
technical standards.18 After the successful completion of these mandates, the CEN-CLC-
ETSI  Smart  Energy  Grid  Coordination  Group  continued  the  work  with  the  purpose  to 
follow-up  on  identified  standardization  gaps  and  undertake  potential  revisions  in 
response  to  market  and  technology  developments.  To  this  respect  the  Group  issued  a 
new release of the original first set of standards and proposed an updated framework of 
standards which can support Smart Grids deployment in Europe.. More than just a flat 
list,  this  report  aims  to  provide  to  Smart  Grid  users  with  a  selection  guide  which, 
depending on the targeted system and the targeted layer (component, communication 
or information layers), will set out the most appropriate standards to consider. 

Similarly, the Smart Meters Coordination Group, following up on earlier work under the 
M/441  mandate,  still  gives  input  to  the  development  and  maintenance  of  new  and 
existing  standards  for  advanced  metering  infrastructures,  in  order  to  help  deliver  the 
seamless  interaction  between  the  different  interfaces  and  functional  entities  in  the 
respective  communications  network  (see  figure  below),  and  support  the  European 
smart metering roll-out. The following chart gives a high level view  of the architecture 
considered for smart metering communications: 

18 Setting common standards that are applied  across the whole  of the  European single market ensure the  protection  of consumers,  facilitate cross-border 
trade, ensure the interoperability of products, encourage innovation and technological development, include environmental protection and enable businesses 
to  grow.  Products  and  services  that  meet  these  European  Standards  (ENs)  can  be  offered  and  sold  in  all  of  the  participating  countries.  In  Europe,  these 
standards are developed and agreed by the three officially recognized European Standardization Organizations: the European Committee for Standardization 
(CEN), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) and the  European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The close 
collaboration between CEN and CENELEC was consolidated at the start of 2010 by the creation of a common CEN-CENELEC Management Centre (CCMC) in 
Brussels.  The  ESOs  can  also  cooperate  with  respectively  the International  Organization  for  Standardization (ISO)  and  the International  Electrotechnical 
Commission (IEC)  to  reach  agreements  on  common  standards  that  can  be  applied  throughout  the  whole  world,  thereby  facilitating  international  trade. 
Source: www.cen.eu.  

March 2018  I  26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                           
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Figure 1 Smart metering reference architecture 

SOURCE: CEN/CLC/ETSI/TR (2011) 

The  EC,  in  cooperation  with  the  industry  and  ETSI,  launched  in  2015  a  standard  for  a 
reference  language  for  energy-related  data  to  be  used  by  in-home  appliances:  SAREF 
(Smart  Appliances  REFerence  ontology)19,  which  has  also  been  recently  showcased  as 
supporting practical applications of an open architecture for demand side flexibility.20  

Next to the mandates to standardize smart meters, the EC21 issued a Recommendation 
of 10 common minimum functionalities for smart metering systems in 2012:  

a) 

b) 

Provide readings directly to the customer and any third party designated 

by the consumer; 

Update  the  readings  referred  to  in  point  (a)  frequently  enough  to  allow 

the information to be used to achieve energy savings; 

c)  Allow remote reading of meters by the operator; 
d) 

Provide two-way communication between the smart metering system and 

external networks for maintenance and control of the metering system; 

e) 

f) 
g) 
h) 
i) 
j) 

Allow  readings  to  be  taken  frequently  enough  for  the  information  to  be 

used for network planning; 

Support advanced tariff system; 
Allow remote on/off control of the supply and/or flow or power limitation; 
Provide secure data communications; 
prevent and detect fraud; 
Provide import/export and reactive metering. 

19 http://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/103200_103299/103264/01.01.01_60/ts_103264v010101p.pdf  
20  https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/digitalising-energy-sector-common-language-
consumer-centric-world 
21 Recommendation 2012/148/EU, drawn in 2012 in consultation with NRAs from MS that had by that 
time already experience in or had progressed with the roll-out. 

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 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Figure 2 Minimum functionalities for smart metering systems 

SOURCE: EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Especially  for  functionalities  (a),  (b)  and  (f),  local  interfaces  within  the  metering 
infrastructure are needed (see Figure 1 and Figure 3): 

  H1 is the interface between the smart meter and a simple external display device 

(where applicable) via one-way communication; 

  H2 is the interface used for smart grid communications (including Demand Side 

Flexibility) which exchanges information between the advanced metering 
infrastructure (AMI) and DSF applications. H2 connects the smart metering gateway 
(LNAP) and the energy management gateway. H2 enables two-way communication 
for home automation end devices (which may include advanced consumer displays). 
H3 refers to a similar link between the NNAP and the energy management gateway. 
The MS survey carried out by EG1 in 201522 established that the H3 interface was not 
planned to be used. 

Figure 3 Local interfaces for information exchange and interworking 

SOURCE: EURELECTRIC 

22 SGTF EG1 report on Interoperability, Standards and Functionalities applied in the large scale roll out 
of smart metering. 

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 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Data protection 

Self-data 

Self-data  refers  to  “the  collection,  use  and  sharing  of  personal  data  by  and  for 
individuals,  under  their  complete  control  and  designed  to  fulfil  their  own  needs  and 
aspirations.”  (Fondation  Internet  Nouvelle  Génération,  FING).  Usually,  Self-data  is 
about  the  restitution  of  data  from  companies  to  the  consumers  (the  latter  receive 
access to their data) or the co-generation of data (consumers accept  which  aspects  of 
their behaviour are quantified and shared). Self-data allows sharing the benefits of data 
and  contributes  therefore  to  consumer  empowerment.  In  business,  self-data  is  known 
as Vendor Relationship Management (VRM), in opposition to the Customer Relationship 
Management  (CRM):  “Just  as  CRM  gives  companies  means  to  relate  to  many  different 
customers,  VRM  gives  customers  means  to  relate  to  many  different  companies.  With 
VRM,  economic  signaling  between  demand  and  supply  will  be  far  more  direct  and 
efficient.  It  will  also  support  genuine  two-way  relationships  and  minimize  the  need  for 
surveillance and “big data” based guesswork by companies” (Capgemini23). 

General Data Protection Regulation 

In  Europe,  the  concept  of  Self  data  is  closely  linked  to  the  General  Data  Protection 
Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR intends to strengthen and harmonize data protection for 
all  individuals  within  the  European  Union.  It  was  adopted  on  April  27th  2016  and  is 
enforceable  from  May  25th  2018,  when  it  replaces  the  data  protection  Directive 
95/46/EC. Some of the key aspects include24: 

  The right to access: the right for data subjects to obtain from the data controller 

confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning them is being processed, 
where and for what purpose. Further, the controller shall provide a copy of the 
personal data, free of charge, in an electronic format. 

  The right to be forgotten: data subject to have the data controller erase his/her 

personal data, cease further dissemination of the data, and potentially have third 
parties halt processing the data. 

  Data portability: the right for a data subject to receive the personal data concerning 

them, which they have previously provided in a 'commonly used and machine-
readable format' and the right to transmit that data to another controller. 

A  Data  Protection  Authority  has  to  be  established  in  every  Member  State  in  order  to 
ensure  that  the  rules  are  respected  and  fines  are  applied  in  case  companies  do  not 
comply.  Unlike  a Directive,  the  GDPR  does  not  require  any  enabling  legislation  to  be 
passed by national governments and is thus directly binding and applicable. 

Self-data initiatives 

A number of initiatives are taken in several Member States to prepare for the GDPR. In 
UK, Midata is a voluntary program launched by the government in 2011 in cooperation 
with the industry and consumer organizations to provide consumers access to their data 
in an electronic and portable format. Several energy companies are part of the initiative 
(British  Gas,    EDF  Energy  or  E.ON  amongst  others).    In  France,  MesInfos  has  been 
exploring the potential of Self data since 2012. In a pilot project in 2016-2017, several 
companies (amongst others: EDF, Enedis, Engie, GRDF) gathering personal data agreed 
on giving back the data and making it available on a personal cloud (Cozy Cloud).  

23 https://www.capgemini.com/blog/cto-blog/2015/08/what-is-vendor-relationship-management 
24 http://www.eugdpr.org 

March 2018  I  29 

 
 
                                           
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 Related background documentation 

CEER: Benchmarking Report on Meter Data Management - Case Studies (2012) 

This  report  describes  the  2012  status  of  the  meter  data  management  model  for 
electricity  and  gas  in  AT,  BE,  DK,  DE,  IT,  NO,  ES,  NL  and  the  UK.  It  also  includes  a 
description  of  the  expected  future  data  management  model  in  case  changes  were 
already foreseen at the time.  

The report shows that there is a variety of meter data management choices: centralized 
access and decentralized storage approach seem to be favored. Two of the cases have a 
strictly centralized approach with centralized access and storage (DK, NO) and one case 
has  a  strict  decentralized  approach  (DE).  In  five  of  the  nine  case  studies,  a  new 
regulation is in place for a new meter data management (MDM)-model: AT, DK, IT, NO 
and  the  UK.  Out  of  the  participating  countries,  only  one  has  rolled  out  smart  meters: 
Italy.  Also,  the  rationale  for  centralized  MDM  is  strengthened  in  the  smart  metering 
world  because  of  the  increased  amount  of  information  exchanged.  In  most  countries, 
the customer clearly has the choice over who can access the smart meter consumption 
data.  

CEER: Advice on Customer Data Management for Better Retail Market Functioning – 
Electricity and Gas (2015) 

Due to the fact that market designs and conditions differ across Europe, CEER believes 
that  different  countries  might  require  different  meter  data  management  models. 
Instead  of  suggesting a specific MDM model, CEER  proposed five guiding principles for 
customer  data  management  models.  The  five  guiding  principles  are:  privacy  and 
security,  transparency,  accuracy,  accessibility  and  non-discrimination.    Each  principle 
has  been  accompanied  with  seven  concrete  recommendations  to  facilitate  the 
development  of  customer  data  management  in  European  retail  energy  markets  in 
accordance with these principles.  

Smart Grid Task Force EG1: Interoperability, Standards and Functionalities applied in 
the large scale roll out of smart metering (2015) 

This  work  focused  on  monitoring  and  analyzing  which  functionalities,  standards  and 
interfaces  are  used  in  smart  metering  systems  being  rolled-out  in  Europe.  The  report 
concentrated  on  the  following  aspects:  the  deployment  of  three  smart  metering 
functionalities  that  can  deliver  benefits  to  customers  ((a),  (b)  and  (f)  mentioned 
above),  the  implementation  of  local  interfaces  within  the  metering  infrastructure  to 
support the delivery of these functionalities (H1, H2, H3), the available communication 
standards  chosen  for  the  selected  local  interfaces,  and  possible  additional  companion 
standards  developed  reflecting  the  level  of  interoperability  (to  be)  reached  on  these 
interfaces. 

17 EU  MS were  covered by the  study. All 17 MS responded implementing functionality 
(a), with three (DK, IT, SE) of them indicating to do so in the next planned roll-out.25 3 
(LV, EE, ES) do not implement functionality (b) as it was specified by the Commission in 
its Recommendation (with at least 15 minute update frequency). 2 of them (LV, EE) will 
do  so  on  customer  request. 5 MS (AT,  SE, DK,  IE, FI) will not implement functionality 
(f). Only one MS (ES) will (partly) not use the H interfaces. Others will implement these 
interfaces  initially,  later  or  on  consumer  request,  and  the  majority  intends  to  roll-out 
interface  H1.  7  MS  (DK,  EE,  ES,  LV,  IT,  MT,  RO)  indicated  that  they  currently  use  a 
web-portal as an alternative or complement to the H1, H2, H3 interfaces although these 
interfaces  might  be  implemented  later  or  on  consumer  request.  A  majority  of  MS  did 
not  make  additional  definitions  for  improving  interoperability  on  the  H  interfaces.  The 

25 Danish smart meters installed after 2011 must have an interface for e.g. an external display. 

March 2018  I  30 

 
 
                                           
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investigation also showed that in references made to standards for the H interfaces, the 
CENELEC TC205 standards are never mentioned. Since they deal with data definitions, 
there is a risk that the data and its format provided by the AMI is not aligned with the 
data and formats required by in-home energy management systems. 

Smart Grid Task Force EG1: My Energy Data (2016) 

This report presented an analysis of ongoing initiatives on data access and management 
in the field of energy distribution in 10 MS, as well as the North American Green Button 
initiatives. The European countries covered are: BE, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GB, IT, ES and 
NL. Data management models and initiatives were assessed on how they give domestic 
customers the possibility of downloading their energy consumption information and how 
access  to  that  information  is  granted  to  third  parties  ,  such  that  analytical  and  other 
services  can  be  provided  to  customers.  A  general  overview  of  use  cases  and 
implementation issues were presented. Data formats and information models already in 
use in FR, DE, ES, EE, IT, NL, GB, BE and DK were listed. Reasons why these formats 
were  chosen  were  explored.  Finally,  the  report  highlighted  lessons,  approaches  and 
recommendations for an industrial initiative.   

The table below provides an overview of the main data formats/standards in use in the 
different MS to provide energy consumption data to customers.  

Figure 4 Main standards in use in Member States considered to provide data to consumers 

SOURCE: MY ENERGY DATA 

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The  “My  Energy  Data”  team  does  not  plead  for  a  single  data  format  across  Europe. 
Instead,  it  states  that  an  industrial  initiative  could  work  towards  an  approach  which 
allows compatibility or alignment with existing systems already decided. Moreover, this 
could allow benefits from  such a convergence of national practices to be realized more 
widely than the organizations/MS represented in the industrial initiative. 

CEER: Review of Current and Future Data Management Models (2016) 
This report updated the status of data management models in retail energy markets of 
8  countries  out  of  the  nine  analyzed in  2012. The  countries  analyzed  are:  NO,  IT,  ES, 
GB, BE, DE, DK, and NL.  
The  data  management  models  were  analyzed  in  light  of  the  guiding  principles  and 
recommendations in CEER (2015). Future developments were also covered.  
Participating  countries  now  and  in  the  future  will  have  a  variety  of  different  data 
management models, which vary not only in terms of technical functionalities, but also 
in terms of legal frameworks, responsibilities and regulations. As a general trend, it was 
observed  that  all  but  2  countries  will  have  a  full  roll-out  of  smart  metering.  All  but  1 
country  are  making  changes  in  their  data  management  models,  moving  to  centralized 
or  partially  centralized  models.  When  assessing  the  fulfilment  of  the  guiding  principles 
and  recommendations  of  CEER  (2015),  the  review  found  that  recommendations  on 
privacy  and  security,  customer  rights  and  information,  customer  confidence,  cases  of 
data  inaccuracies  and  non-discrimination  overall  have  relatively  high  degrees  of 
fulfilment.  The  degree  to  which  customers  have  technical  access  to  data  in  the  data 
management  models  is  observed  to  be  quite  low.  In  terms  of  harmonization  of  data 
management standards in a regional or European perspective, there is generally a low 
degree of consideration. 

Figure 5 Data management models in 8 Member States 

SOURCE: CEER 

Eurelectric: The power sector goes digital – Next generation data management for 
energy consumers (2016) 

The  report  studied  current  and  possible  evolutions  brought  by  the  complete 
digitalization of the European power systems. Roles will transform: customers  will gain 
control over their energy consumption, suppliers will be able to enlarge their portfolio of 
services,  new  actors  (energy  service  companies  and  aggregators)  will  appear  in  the 
market,  DSOs  will  embody  the  role  of  neutral  market  facilitators  and  become  more 
active system managers. This transformation will be enabled if smart meter data, smart 
market  data  and  smart  grid  are  implemented  in  a  coordinated  way.  Case  studies, 

March 2018  I  32 

 
 
 
 
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initiatives  set  up  by  suppliers,  countries,  stakeholders’  associations,  DSOs  and  TSOs 
across Europe were also presented.  

ENTSO-E: Data exchange in power systems: European State of Play and Perspectives 
(2017) 

The  report  gives  a  European  perspective  to  the  development  of  Data  Exchange 
Platforms  (DEP)  in  the  electricity  markets.  A  high level  background  is  firstly  framed  in 
order  to  understand  current  and  future  data  exchange  requirements  in  the  electricity 
markets  (regulatory  framework  and  guiding  principles,  types  of  data  classification, 
stakeholder  involved  and  their  related  data  requirements).  Synthetic  comparisons  on 
the  status  are  shown  for  some  MS  (BE,  DK,  EE,  IR,  IT,  NL,  NO,  DE).  Selected  data 
exchange  models  are  presented  with  further  detail  (NL,  DE  and  EE).  The  opportunity 
and rationale of DEPs for handling future electricity market scenarios is then evaluated 
as well as future possible developments. 

 What is missing 
Studies dealing with the formats and procedures concerning data access and exchange 
rarely  cover  all  the  MS;  hence  a  complete  view  about  the  status  in  Europe  is  missing. 
This  applies  not  only  to  the  general  data  management  system,  but  also  to  general 
business processes like supplier switching and billing and emerging services.  

 References 

  CEER (2012): Benchmarking Report on Meter Data Management - Case Studies. 

  CEER (2015): Advice on Customer Data Management for Better Retail Market 

Functioning – Electricity and Gas. 

  CEER (2016): Review of Current and Future Data Management Models. 

  CEN/CLC/ETSI/TR (2011): Functional reference architecture for communications in 

smart metering systems. Technical report. 

  CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group (January 2017): SEGCG/M490/G 

Smart Grid Set of Standards, Version 4.1 draft. 

  COM(2016) 864 final. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the 

Council on common rules for the internal market in electricity, November 2016. 

  Directive 2009/72/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning 

common rules for the internal market in electricity, July 2009.  

  Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning 

common rules for the internal market in natural gas, July 2009. 

  EC (2011): M/490 Standardization Mandate to European Standardisation 

Organisations (ESOs) to support European Smart Grid deployment. 

  EC (2012) - 2012/148/EU: Recommendations on preparations for the roll-out of 

smart metering systems. 

  ENTSO-E (2017): Data exchange in power systems: European State of Play and 

Perspectives. 

  Eurelectric (2016): The power sector goes digital – Next generation data 

management for energy consumers.  

  European Smart Grid task Force EG1 (2015): Interoperability, Standards and 

Functionalities applied in the large scale roll out of smart metering. 

March 2018  I  33 

 
 
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  European Smart Grid task Force EG1 (2016): Interoperability of interfaces for the 

large scale roll out of smart metering systems in EU Member States. 

  European Smart Grid Task Force EG1 (2016 bis): My Energy Data. 

  European Smart Grid task Force EG3 (2013): Options on handling Smart Grids Data. 

Study findings 

This  chapter  summarizes  the  findings  of  the  questionnaire  and  interview  process  that 
was undertaken during the current investigation.  

1. 

2. 

3. 

First,  we  discuss  the  traditional  activities  of  supplier  switching  and 
billing.  The  business  processes  are  built  on  the  national  data  management 
models.  We  explain  therefore  the  roles  of  the  different  actors,  what  kind  of 
consumption  data  is  accessed,  stored  and  exchanged  and  who  is  involved.  We 
then discuss potential challenges for the interoperability of  the data management 
models  that  include  differences  in  the  communication  semantics,  different 
business  processes  and  we  touch  on  the  issue  of  the  definition  of  processes  for 
exceptions (but we have not collected data on the last issue); 

Second, we discuss the status of emerging services and products and 
focus  on  the  status  of  the  smart  metering  roll  out  and  of  the  respective 
functionalities; 

Finally we discuss the possibility for customers and third parties to access 
consumption  data  and  hence  the  implications  from  the  implementation  of  the 
GDPR requirements.  

Traditional business processes: Supplier Switching and Billing 
Business  processes  can  represent  an  entry  barrier  for  energy  suppliers  if  they  are  too 
complex, opaque or just not compatible with each other. Aligned message formats can 
reduce  IT  costs  and  facilitate  entry  into  different  jurisdictions.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
business  processes  that  exist  today  are,  in  many  cases,  largely  a  legacy  of  the  time 
since  the  deregulation.  Countries  have  invested  at  national  level  into  specifying 
processes,  developing  standardized  procedures  and  formats.  Also,  national  or  even 
regional  requirements  that  often  are  linked  to  public  service  obligations  (e.g.  see  the 
case  of  disconnections  for  arrears)  created  the  need  for  the  treatment  of  exceptions 
that are difficult to harmonize.  

Supplier  switching  and  billing  are  the  most  traditional  services  for  which  all  MS  were 
required  to  establish  uniform  national  procedures.  This  study  is  limited  to  basic 
processes. We already find differences in the procedures and the message formats. An 
exhaustive comparison that includes the treatment of exceptional cases would reveal an 
even more diverse picture. 

This section is organized in the following steps. We first describe the status of the data 
management  model  in  the  MS,  the  roles  that  different  actors  have  in  that  model  and 
the kind of consumption data stored. We then move to the challenge of interoperability 
and discuss the communication formats as well as the number of interactions between 
the  actors  to  provide  the  basic  services.  A  complete  description  of  the  procedures  by 
country  is  reported  in  section  0.  In  addition,  the  contributors  provided  links  to  public 
documents  describing  those  processes  followed  by  a  short  description  of  non-standard 
processes and exceptions. These links are included in the country sheets, in chapter 0. 

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We  conclude  with  an  overview  of  how  stakeholders  can  participate  in  the  definition  of 
the processes at a national level. 

Customer data management models 

Customer  data  management  comprises  the  processes  by  which  data  is  sourced, 
validated, stored, protected and the basis on which it can be accessed. In about half of 
the countries that responded to the questionnaire, data is managed in a centralised or 
partially centralised way. In the other half of the countries, there is a decentralized data 
management  system.  All  countries  with  a    decentralized  system  have  standardized 
procedures put in place, except LV and UK. With the advent of smart meters, some of 
these  countries  are  evolving  to  a  more  centralized  system  (except  AT,  DE26  and  ES). 
This  does  not  necessarily  mean  centralization  of  competences  and  data  storage,  but 
rather harmonizing access to consumption data relevant for market processes, through 
the  creation  of  a  centralized  data  hub.  This is  e.g.  the  case  in  the  UK  where  a  central 
unit  (DCC)  will  be  created,  who  will  transmit  smart  meter  data  to  the  relevant  parties 
but that will not store any data. 

Figure 6: Data Management System: Models across MS 

Within  the  centralized  systems  category,  two  groups  must  be  distinguished:  there  are 
centralized  systems  based  on  a  central  data  hub  (DK,  EE,  NL,  PT)  and  de  facto 
centralized systems,  where there is a main DSO covering most  of the market:  CY, EL, 
FR,  HR,  IE,  LT,  LV.  PL  has  a  central  data  hub  managed  by  the  largest  DSO  of  the 
country.  Another  group  (CZ,  IT,  SI)  is  defined  as  partially  centralized  however  this  is 
not  a  homogenous  group  since  it  includes  distinct  architectures  of  Data  Management 
Models.  The  choice  between  centralised  and  decentralised  systems  seem  to  be  driven 
by  the  legacy  system  rather  than  economic  considerations.  Only  four  countries  based 

26 The roll out of smart meters for retail clients in Germany has not yet started.  

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their  choice  on  a  cost  benefit  analysis  (CZ,  IE,  NL  and  SI)  and  opted  for  a  central  or 
partially  central  system.  FI  performed  a  CBA  for  the  future  system  and  is  expected  to 
move to more centralisation. 

Centralized, 
decentralized or 
partially centralized 
DMS? 

Has this 
choice been 
the result of 
a CBA? 

Standardized 
procedures in 
case of 
decentralized 
system? 

Is there an evolution 
towards more 
centralization or 
decentralization decided? 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

Decentralized 

Decentralized 

No 

No 

Centralized (de facto) 

No 

Partially centralized 

Yes, 2012  

Decentralized 

Centralized (central 
data hub) 
Centralized (central 
data hub) 

Centralized (de facto), 
but one centralized 
system for small 
customers and two 
centralizes systems for 
bigger customers 
Decentralized although 
some features of a 
centralized system can 
be observed 
Decentralized  

Decentralized data 
management system 
but centralized de facto  

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No, but for the 
future data 
hub, CBA has 
been made on 
2014 
No 

Centralized (de facto) 

 Decentralized 

No 

 No 

Centralized (de facto)  

Yes, 2005 

No 

Partially centralized  
(the management of 
meter data is still 
centralized but master 
data are already 
managed in a 
centralized way) 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes  

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes  

Yes 

LT 

Centralized (de facto) 
(the main DSO covers 
almost all households) 

No 

n.a. 

No, central routing with 
decentralized database as of 
2012 
End 2019: (partially) 
centralized market system 
managed by a joint venture of 
all DSOs (no CBA). All data 
relevant for market processes 
stored at central level. 

Full operation of the MDMS by 
the DSO as of April 2019. 

n.a. 

No 

No 

Ongoing process started, by 
law, in 2013, toward more 
centralisation 
New system in 2020, could be 
a unique system or two 
separate systems (CRM and 
MDM) but not decided yet 

No 

More centralization (all retail 
market processes): central 
data hub as of 2020 

The Energy Network 
Operator's Agency "Agence 
ORE" will publish open data as 
a central open data hub for 
DSOs. 
No 

No  

No 

Yes. Toward further 
centralization as of 2018 the 
SII (central data hub) will 
receive validated meter data 
from DSOs, then suppliers will 
receive validated readings 
from the SII. The SII 
currently receives master data 
discussions on data hub 
creation 

March 2018  I  36 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 ASSET STUDY Format and procedures for electricity (and gas) data access and exchange in Member States 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Data gathering centrally (as of 
2016), then sent to DSO's. 

Discussions ongoing for more 
centralization. 

Further centralization for 
customer consent on 3rd 
party access. 
More centralization by 
creation of data 
communication company 
owned by DSO's. 
No 

Yes 

n.a. 

Ongoing centralization, to be 
implemented by 2021 

n.a. 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

Decentralized 

Centralized (de facto) 
(the main DSO covers 
almost all households) 

Centralized (central 
data hub) 

PL 

Decentralized 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Centralized (the largest 
DSO manages the 
central data hub) 

Decentralized 

No 

Yes, in 2014 

Partially centralized, 
officially one DSO 
(SODO) but 5 local 
distribution regions 
having bilateral 
contracts with SODO 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Roles 

Decentralized 

No 

No 

More centralization through 
central unit (DCC) for smart 
meter data reading as of 
2018, storage remains 
decentralized. 

Table 2 Data management model 

In all countries the same party is responsible for both consumption data reading and 
validation.  On  top  of  this,  for  almost  all  countries  the  data  is  currently  stored  by  the 
same responsible party. AT, DK, LU and NL form the exception to this rule.  

In  most  countries  the  DSOs  are  responsible  for  the  complete  data  management 
(reading, validation, storage). However the number of countries where data is stored 
in a central data hub is expected to grow, as shown in  

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

DSO 


Supplier 






























Central Database 

















Smart Meter 






No smart meters 
installed yet 






No smart meters 
installed yet 


planned change 

Data relevant for market processes 
stored at central level 

Smart meter foresee  since not yet 
available 

March 2018  I  37 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 





















































































Data will be stored in the central 
datahub as of 2020 

Data will be stored in 
Elmarknadshub 2021 

Table 4. Germany has opened the service of metering to competition, i.e. DSOs are 
default providers of the data management service, but alternative meter providers are 
possible. 

Who is responsible for 
consumption data 
reading? 

Who is responsible for 
consumption data 
validation? 

Who is responsible for 
consumption data storage? 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

 DSO 

Meter operator (usually 
DSO) 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

 DSO 

 DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

Suppliers & DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

TSO (central data hub) 

DSO + TSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

March 2018  I  38 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

customers  

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

Supplier 

Supplier 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

Supplier (for integrated supply 
customers) 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

Supplier 

Supplier 

Supplier 

Table 3: Roles in consumption data management 

Consumption data storage 

The  DSO  stores  consumption  data  in  all  MS,  except  in  the  UK  (supplier)  and  LU 
(supplier,  for  “integrated  supply  customers”27).  In  half  of  the  countries  suppliers  also 
store consumption data (mandatory). Central  databases exist in countries that either 
have  (partially)  centralised  data  management  systems  or  have  a  dominant  DSO. 
However  also  countries  like  Italy  with  a  large  number  of  DSOs  rely  on  a  central 
database. BE, DK, FI and SE are expected to move to a central database. 

DSO 

































AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

Supplier 

Central Database 

Smart Meter 

planned change 

































Data relevant for market processes 
stored at central level 

Smart meter foresee  since not yet 
available 

Data will be stored in the central 
datahub as of 2020 







































No smart meters 
installed yet 









No smart meters 
installed yet 














27 Customers that only receive one bill from their supplier for grid and supply. 

March 2018  I  39 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
                                           
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

































































































Data will be stored in 
Elmarknadshub 2021 

Table 4 Consumption data storage 

Interoperability 
Interoperability  can  be  impeded  on  different  levels:  communication  language  and 
semantics,  the  processes  themselves  and  the  handling  of  specific  processes.  We  first 
define  the  three  areas  of  obstacles  and  then  discuss  the  findings  in  the  following 
sections. 

From  a  technological  point  of  view,  main  differences  relate  to  the  “language” 
used.  Main  languages  are  EDIFACT  (BE,  DE,  etc.),  CIM  (Finland,  for  example,  is 
considering  the  possibility  to  switch  to  it),  or  national-specific  (PL  discusses  
Blockchain  for  instance,  NL  XML  based).  All  the  other  elements  (security  & 
communication protocol, etc.) seem not to be a blocking issue for interoperability.  

The exact sequence for a standard switching or billing process can be different. 
Following  these  sequences,  communication  needs  to  be  adapted  going  from  one 
country to another. The number of interactions, the sequence and/or the type of data 
exchanged  can  be  different.  This  can  thus  represent  a  market  barrier  for  a  supplier 
willing to operate in different jurisdictions. 

  While we focus on standard processes, countries are likely to have specific 

situations to treat, typically related to different public service obligations  
(e.g. in some countries, customers can be switched off, in some other countries not, 
etc.). This seems to be a detail, but if a supplier wants to become active in a 
country, he has to foresee all these particular cases from a messaging point of view. 
Our report does not cover these cases, but several interviewees pointed out that a 
full alignment seems very challenging, since exceptions can be the result of local 
social policy regulations. 

  Even within a country, some message choices can be different in the details, 

depending on the DSO (for instance, anecdotal evidence indicates that this seems to 
be the case in BE for non-standard processes). Barriers can thus not be excluded 
within countries. Our report, however, does not cover this level of detail. 

Communication formats 

Interoperability may be hampered by the “language” used for communication between 
the  DSOs  and  suppliers  for  traditional  activities.  Most  of  the  countries  still  use  a 
national-specific communication format, which is often txt-, csv- or xml-based. PL and 
LU  have  decided  to  change  to  EDIFACT  in  the  near  future.  EDIFACT  is  currently  the 

March 2018  I  40 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

standard  in  BE,  DE,  LU,  SE  and  FI,  but  the  latter  is  evaluating  the  opportunity  to 
change to CIM.  It is important to stress that the use of a  communication format  still 
leaves  flexibility  in  the  implementation.  Communication  between  countries  that  use 
the same format is not automatically compatible.  

Billing 

Switching 

Current 

Near future 

Current 

Near future 

AT 

National-specific: xml 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EDIFACT 

n.a. 

n.a.  

EDIFACT 

National specific: xml 

EE 

National-specific: xml 

National-specific 

National-specific: xml 

EDIFACT 

- 

- 

n.a. 

n.a. 

- 

- 

- 

Evaluating CIM as an 
option, to be 
specified when data 
hub definitions are 
ready (3 years from 
now) 

National-specific: xml 

EDIFACT 

n.a. 

n.a. 

EDIFACT 

National specific: xml 

National-specific: xml 

National-specific 

National-specific: xml 

EDIFACT 

- 

- 

n.a. 

n.a. 

- 

- 

- 

Evaluating CIM 
as an option, to 
be specified 
when data hub 
definitions are 
ready (3 years 
from now) 

National-specific 

National-specific 

 National-specific 

National-specific 

National specific: 
xml/csv 

National-specific 

- 

- 

 - 

- 

- 

National-specific 

National-specific: .txt 
files 

National-specific 

National-specific 

National specific: 
xml/csv 

National-specific 

National-specific: paper 
bills 

National-specific 

National-specific 

EDIFACT 

EDIFACT 

- 

- 

National-specific 

National-specific 

- 

- 

 - 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

National-specific 

EDIFACT 

National-specific 

EDIFACT 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

EDIFACT 

National-specific: .csv 
files 

Move to 
Elmarknadshubb  
2021 
ebIX technology 

EDIFACT 

National-specific: .csv 
files 

Move to 
Elmarknadshubb 
2021  
ebIX technology 

National-specific 

- 

National-specific 

- 

Table 5: Communication formats 

March 2018  I  41 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

Number of interactions between the stakeholders 

The  precise  process  of  switching  and  billing  between  the  stakeholders  is  described  in 
Appendix 10.4 for responding countries. Here we use the number of  interactions as a 
proxy to identify if the processes differ between countries. 

Figure 7: Communication standards and number of steps in a switching process 

The  billing  process  often  requires  only  a  few  interactions  between  market 
parties. Typically the consumption data is read by the DSO and communicated to 
the supplier, after which the (unique) bill is sent by the supplier to the customer. 

The number of interactions between market parties when switching supplier can 
vary  more  from  country  to  country  (from  4  to  over  20  interactions).  Also,  the 
time  required  for  switching  supplier  can  range  from  2  days  (e.g.  Austria)  to  21 
days  (e.g.  Italy).  For  some  countries,  it  would  be  technically  possible  to  switch 
supplier instantaneously, but administrative measures prevent this. 

March 2018  I  42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

Billing 
steps 
2 

Switching 
steps 
5 

Switching time 
[days] 

2 

n.a. 

n.a.  

6 

1 

2 

3 

n.a. 

2 

1 

5 

2 

n.a  

2 

1 

5 

3 

n.a 

3 

3 

3 

3 

1 

8 

6 

n.a. 

10 

4 

4 

6 

5 

6 

6 

9 

n.a. 

11 

13 

3 

10 

7 

6 

5 

4 

12 

8 

>20 

n.a. 

Max 3 weeks 

20 

n.a. 

5 

21 

15 

21 

21 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Table 6: Billing and Switching processes: number of steps of a standard process 

Exceptions handling and the limits of harmonization 

The contributors to this investigation stress the effort that countries have been putting 
into  describing  business  processes,  taking  into  account  regional  aspects  related  to 
public  service  obligations,  energy  policy    or  even  taxes  and  levies  (e.g.  local  taxes 

March 2018  I  43 

 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

applying  only  in  one  part  of  a  country,  specific  switching  situations)28.  Countries  like 
AT have spent several years in specifying processes, in BE the effort is ongoing. 
Common  processes  that  would  be  general  enough  to  cover  all  regional-specific  cases 
are probably challenging to achieve.  Also, many respondents expressed reluctance to 
changing  their  processes  in  light  of  allowing  for  regional/EU-wide  interoperability 
(“why should we change what works?”).  
A minimum requirement for interoperability would be a transparent platform (web-
based)  where  national  standard  and  non-standard  processes  are  listed  and 
described. 

National coordination of processes 
Data  exchange  formats  and  processes  are  evolving  over  time.  In  most  countries  the 
concerned market participants have the opportunity to contribute in developing these 
processes.  Some  countries  established  a  common  platform  on  which  market  parties 
can be consulted (e.g. in Austria). In other countries regular workshops are held (e.g. 
France,  Germany)  organized  by  the  regulator  in  which  the  stakeholders  participate 
directly  or  through  their  representing  organizations.  In  Portugal  there  appears  to  be 
no means for market participants to contribute to the development of data exchange 
formats and processes. 

Are there opportunities for the market participants to contribute to the 
development of the data exchange formats and processes? 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

Consultation of market parties via ebUtilities platform. 

A specific governance is foreseen in collaboration with the market 

Info not available (n.a.) 

 n.a. 

Formats and procedures are developed and kept up to date partly in cooperation with 
industry association, and DSOs. Consultations are performed. 

The TSO, the DSO´s and suppliers cooperate on the development 

A data exchange platform "Estfeed" that is developed together with the market participants 
for their use 

Suggestions, remarks and complaints are accepted and overviewed by the DSO 

Collaborative process managed by the CNMC (regulator) with voluntary participation of DSO 
and suppliers 

Formats and procedures are developed and updated partly by the industry association and 
TSO, in close co-operation with DSOs and suppliers. 

Regular workshops on formats & procedures are organized by the regulator. DSOs and 
suppliers are represented directly or indirectly. 

Opportunities for regulator and suppliers. 

Market participants may cooperate with each other in line with the corresponding 
regulations. They are also able to submit any proposal for legislative change to the liable 
ministry. Decision is up to the legislator.  
Yes, through Market Process Change Requests at Governance Forums.  

28  Example:  a  switching  linked  to  other  changes  (switching  supplier  and  moving  to 
another house at the same time) can be a dedicated process in one country, or it can 
be two separate processes in another country. 

March 2018  I  44 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
                                           
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Market participants should respect standardized rules and format set at national level by the 
Regulator. through transparent processes open to stakeholder participation. 

Market participants are allowed to make requests and changes. 

Through public consultation for the "model" document decided by ILR and through Forum 
https://luxmaco.vbulletin.net/luxmacoforum. 

Market participants can send their proposals to the DSO. 

Functional changes are discussed between the TSO, DSOs and the Dutch Energy Association 
(NEDU, incl. suppliers). Changes are then proposed to the regulator ACM. 

Through DSO and supplier associations lobbying 

No 

Workshops with SVK “ETG” meetings held regularly for market participants. 
Elmarknadsutveckling as well. 

Through regular consultations held by the NRA (Agen-rs) or through IPET, an organisation 
concentrating on changes in the electricity market. 

n.a. 

Table 7: National coordination of processes 

Emerging Services 
The  second  focus  of  this  fact  finding  study is  the  state  of  emerging  services  that  are 
enabled  by  smart  metering  technologies.  Emerging  services  empower  customers  to 
actively participate in the energy market (flexibility and energy services). 

Better  data  and  better  access  to  this  data  are  seen  to  be  a  necessary  condition  for 
such services to emerge.  The wider use of  smart metering technologies29 is expected 
to dramatically increase the amounts and granularity, but also the commercial value, 
of  data  generated  and  exchanged  within  the  (power)  system.  Smart  meters  should 
allow  consumers  to  reap  the  benefits  of  the  progressive  digitalization  of  the  energy 
market. 

In this section, we first report on the current state of smart meter roll-out in the MS, 
largely in line with the European Smart Grid task Force EG1 (2015). Then we compare 
what kind of data (history and granularity) is available in the smart meter and on the 
side of the DSO/supplier. Then we review the national requirements on the capabilities 
of  the  smart  meter  and  their  compliance  with  Recommendation  2012/148/EU  and  in 
particular with functionalities (a), (b) and (f). We then finally  discuss the possibilities 
for the consumer to either access his data or to mandate access to a third party (the 
energy service provider). 

Smart meter deployment 

By the end of 2017, the level of smart (electricity) meter coverage varies widely, from 
MS  having  reached  (almost)  full  coverage  (e.g.  Finland,  Sweden,  Estonia)  to  MS 
currently  examining  smart  meter  roll-out  or  running  pilot  projects  (e.g.  Belgium, 
Croatia,  Lithuania,  Luxembourg).  Italy  also  finished  full  implementation  of  first 
generation smart meters and are now proceeding with the 2nd generation roll-out.  

29  Commission  Report  COM(2014)  356,  as  updated  in  the  Smart  Grids  Task  Force  EG1  Report:  “Status  report  based  on  a 
survey  regarding  Interoperability,  Standards  and  Functionalities  applied  in  the  large  scale  roll-out  of  smart  metering  in  EU 
Member States”, October 2015. 

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Targets  usually  aim  for  a  (close  to)  full  penetration  of  smart  meters.  The  targeted 
timing is also different between each country, the range is in between 1-2 years up to 
15  years.  In  some  of  the  cases  the  targets  have  proven  to  be  rather  ambitious  (UK) 
and there is a chance that they cannot be reached on time. 

As per ownership, the DSOs are the owners of the smart meter equipment, except for 
UK,  France  and    Germany  (where  the  owner  of  the  “digital”  meter  is  the  “meter 
operator”, which is usually the DSO). Details on the status of the smart meter roll out 
are summarized in the following table: 

Targeted smart meter roll-out and status 
end of 2017 (according to information 
collected by the questionnaire)  

Who is the owner of 
the smart meter? 

80% (95%) by 2020 (2022) 
today, only pilots except Oberösterreich (17%) 

regional initiatives, roll-out in Flanders as of 2019 

80% planned by 2020, subject to further decision 
by the NRA 
 n.a. 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

(digital meters by 2032) 
today no deployment of smart meters 

meter operator 
(usually DSO) 

100% by 2020 

100% achieved 

The pilot roll-out has not been realized yet.  

100% by end 2018 
>81% today 

99% achieved 

90% by 2022 

95% by 2030 
today pilot projects 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

local 
authorities/"syndicats 
d'énergie" 
DSO 

 No target yet, CBA analysis is in progress 

~10% by 2020, 100% by 2024 

DSO  

DSO  

DSO 
First generation was completed in 2011                                 

Second generation 80% by 2022 for the main 
DSO only. No mandatory target at national level 
for second generation 

100% of main DSO customers by 2024 
today pilot projects 

95% by 2020 
today 10% 

99% by 2022 
today 30% 

> 80% by 2020 

today 8% 

target: 50% 
today coverage: 18% 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

March 2018  I  46 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Completed: all Swedish customers have smart 
meters since 2009 
100% by 2025 
today 52% 

100% by 2020 
Today: ~17% of domestic meters operated by 
large suppliers are smart meters 

n.a. 

DSO 

supplier 

Table 8: Smart meter roll-out 

History and granularity of the consumption data stored 

Emerging  energy  services  require  historical  time  series  to  understand  consumption 
levels  and  patterns.  We  report  the  history  and  granularity  of  data  stored  at  different 
places.  Once  again  the  range  of  duration  and  granularity  vary  widely.  DSOs  in  BE  or 
PL store consumption data for 10 years, while DSOs in LV store data for 3 years only. 
Granularity of data stored by DSOs and suppliers ranges from 15 minutes (BE, LT, PT) 
to 30 min (FR) to daily (AT), monthly or yearly. For data stored directly in the smart 
meters, a lower variety is observed.   

 Hist.|gran.. 

DSO 

Supplier 

Central 
Database 

Smart Meter 

planned change 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

7y|daily 

7y|daily 

10y|yearly or 
≤15min 

contract 
period|≤15min 

<1y|n.a. 

<1y|n.a. 

5y|≤15min 

depends on 
DSO. 
n.a.|n.a ; 

n.a.|hourly 

n.a.|n.a. 

n.a. 

3y|hourly 

5y|hourly 

5y|hourly 

>10|monthly-
4monthly-
6monthly-
yearly 
depending on 
customer 
5y|hourly 

6y|hourly 

6y|hourly 

10y|30min, 
daily, 6 
months, yearly 

10y|30min, 
monthly 

60d|≤15min 

n.a. 

the smart 
meter roll-out 
has not be 
launched yet 
<1y |≤15min 

2 years | 15 
min data 
few months 
(3. months 
+10 weeks)  
|hourly 
(although 
some DSOs 
have chosen 
to let their 
meters 
register and 
store 15 min) 
n.a. |hourly 

No smart 
meters 
installed yet 

3m|hourly 

one billing 
period, usually 
3 months 
|hourly 
4-5m|10-
60min 

data stored central 
DB 

March 2018  I  47 

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

2|monthly 

30d|≤15min 

8|monthly, 
half-yearly 

8y|yearly 

8y|yearly 

7y| monthly 

n.a.|n.a. 

5y|monthly 
clustered per 
time bands (1G 
meters), 15min 
(2G meters) 
keeping time 
bands 
classification 

10|monthly 

3y|hourly +10y 
billing data 

n/a|monthly 
(<55kW) divided 
per time-bands 

n.a. 

50months|15min, 
yearly 

Starting from 
February 2018,  15 
min readings 
metering data and 
monthly readings 
will be sent to SII 
(that becomes the 
sole interface with 
the DSOs for the 
suppliers)  for all 
customers. 

8y||≤15min 

n.a.|n.a. 

36d|15min 
(1G meters) 
or 38d|15min 
and a total 6m 
(2G meters) 

n.a. 

<1year|15min 

65d, 
13m|hourly, 
monthly 

10y|hourly 

5y|15min 

n.a. 

10y|monthly 

10y|monthly 

3-
5y|monthly(SM
), yearly 

No obligatory 
history. If supplier 
is changed, the 
information is not 
transferred. 

5y|yearly, 2m 
(SM) 

30d 
max|15min 

3y|15min 

5y|daily 

no 
requirement| 
n.a. 
n.a. 

3y|15min 

13m|30min 

Even in the future, 
DCC will not store 
data. 

Table 9: History and granularity of data stored 

Smart meter functionalities 

Apart  from  the  data  stored  in  the  smart  meter,  metering  devices  differ  in  their 
capabilities  (reflecting 
the  respective  national  requirements).  The  European 
Commission recommends 10 common minimum functionalities to be satisfied by smart 
metering systems (Recommendation 2012/148/EU): 

March 2018  I  48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

Common minimum functionalities for smart metering systems 

a)    Provide readings directly to the customer and any third party 
designated by the consumer; 

b)     Update  the  readings  referred  to  in  point  (a)  frequently 
enough  to  allow  the  information  to  be  used  to  achieve  energy 
savings; 
c)    Allow remote reading of meters by the operator; 

d)    Provide two-way communication between the smart metering 
system and external networks for maintenance and control of the 
metering system; 

e)     Allow  readings  to  be  taken  frequently  enough  for  the 
information to be used for network planning; 

f)     Support advanced tariff system; 

g)     Allow  remote  on/off  control  of  the  supply  and/or  flow  or 
power limitation; 

h)    Provide secure data communications; 

i)     Fraud prevention and detection; 

j)     Provide import/export and reactive metering. 

Not  all  of  the  10  common  minimum  functionalities  are  satisfied  in  countries  where 
smart  meters  are  present.  In  three  countries  with  smart  meters  present  (Estonia, 
Lithuania  and  Poland)  it  is  not  possible  to  remotely  control  the  supply  and  or  flow 
through the smart meter (g). Other functionalities not satisfied are (b), (d), (e), and 
(f). For many countries this information is still lacking.  

Does the smart meter satisfy the 10 common minimum 
functionalities for smart metering systems required by 
the EC? 

If not, which functionalities are not foreseen? 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 



n.a. 



Even though there are no smart meters as yet installed, for 
the Pilot project scheme of 3000 smart meters  the DSO 
has taken into account the EU reccomendations well as the 
latest available technology. 





n.a. 



No smart meters installed yet 



e, f (partially) 

n.a. 

- 

d, g, j 

n.a. 

g 

b 

March 2018  I  49 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 





























n.a. 







i, j 

- 

- 

- 

d, g 

- 

- 

g 

- 

- 

n.a. 

j 

- 

Table 10: Smart meter requirements fulfilment 

Smart meters features 

For the countries where smart meters are installed, a pre-payment service is often not 
available.  Most  of  the  smart  meters  installed  measure  both  the  peak  and  average 
consumption but the granularity can vary greatly from below 1 minute (in Estonia and 
Netherlands)  to  every  60  minutes.  All  countries  except  Slovenia  indicated  that  it  is 
possible to configure the system and to carry out software upgrades at distance.  

March 2018  I  50 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

Pre-
payment 
service 
available? 

Smart meter reading 

Type of measure 

Granularity 

Possible to configure the metering 
system at a distance and to carry 
out software upgrades, to ensure 
that the metering system is state-of-
the-art? 

every 15 minutes 

Single communication standard used? 

For communication 
of real-time data 
(P1) 
n.a. 

For communication 
of historical data 
(P4) 
Yes, XML Format 
Consumption Record 

Both Peak and 
Average 
Consumption 
n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

Both Peak and 
Average 
Consumption 

Average 
Consumption 

Both Peak and 
Average 
Consumption 
Both Peak and 
Average 
Consumption 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

answer will be 
provided in 
the next 
report 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

every 15 minutes 

every 15 minutes 

<1 minute 

every 1 minute 

n.a. 

Today all meters register 
every 60 minutes, some 
(50%) can be 
reprgrammed remotely to 
have a metering resolution 
of 15 minutes 
every 10 minutes 

Some (roughly 50%) can be 
programmed remotely, but some require 
visiting locally. The programmability 
depends on the type of meter and the 
reading solutions chosen.  

No 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

No 

No 

n.a. 

Yes 

n.a. 

No 

Yes, national-specific 

Yes, DLMS_COSEM 

every 15 minutes 

Yes 

No P4 

Load 

every 15 minutes 

Yes, PLC C-band 
protocol from chain 2 

No P4 

March 2018  I  51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Both Peak and 
Average 
Consumption 
Both Peak and 
Average 
Consumption 
Energy profile 

Both Peak and 
Average 
Consumption 
Both Peak and 
Average 
Consumption 
Energy, Voltage, 
Current 

every 60 minutes 

every 15 minutes 

every 5 minutes 

<1 minute 

every 60 minutes 

every 1 minute 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

Average 
Consumption 

every 15 minutes 

Actual Consumption 

Table 11: Smart meter features 

Yes, PLC 

Yes, PLC 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

n.a. 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

n.a. 

No 

Yes 

March 2018  I  52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

Status of GDPR for electricity and gas 
The  EU General  Data  Protection  Regulation  (GDPR)30  intends  to  strengthen  and 
harmonize  data  protection  for  all  individuals  within  the  European  Union.  It  was 
adopted  in  2016  and  is  enforceable  from  May  2018,  when  it  replaces  the  data 
protection Directive 95/46/EC. One of the key aspects is the right to access: the right 
for data subjects to obtain from the data controller confirmation as to whether or not 
personal  data  concerning  them  is being  processed,  where  and  for  what  purpose. 
Further, the controller shall provide a copy of the personal data, free of charge, in an 
electronic format. 

This section tries to answer the question to what extent MS have already prepared for 
fulfilling  the  requirements  of  the  GDPR  for  electricity  and  (gas)consumption  data.  To 
this end, we assess how customers can have easy access to their historical and real-
time  consumption  data,  how  they  can  share  access  with  third  parties  and  how  the 
consent process is organized.  

Customer access to consumption data 

Historical consumption data 

Traditionally,  customers  can  consult  their  metered  (monthly  or  yearly)  consumption 
data on their bill in all MS. In addition, most countries allow for an access to historical 
consumption via a one-off request to the DSO or supplier. 

With  the  roll-out  of  smart  meters  the  options  for  data  access,  and  for  emerging 
services  and  flexibility,  broaden.  The  smart  meter  itself  provides  access  to  real  time 
and some historical data. Access is given either by the smart meter interface itself, the 
home  H1  interface  or  the  smart  meter  gateway  (port  P1).31  Historical  data  stored  in 
the smart meter is typically not validated, since it did not pass through the validation 
process. Data is thus not usable for billing purposes. AT, DE and LT are an exception. 
For AT and DE, it is reported that the official calibration of the smart meter is enough 
to  validate  the  data  provided  by  the  latter.  Progressively,  MS  facilitate  to  follow 
consumption  data  on  a  web  portal.  The  portal  is  provided  either  by  the  DSO,  the 
supplier  or,  where  available,  the  central  data  hub  operator.  At  least  one  of  these 
options is available in almost all countries where smart meters are being rolled-out.  

30 https://www.eugdpr.org/ 
31 Note that behind the meter devices also allow the creation and access to smart data, 
even if the regulated meter remains a traditional one. 

March 2018  I  53 

 
 
 
 
 
                                           
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

V = validated data   NV=non-validated data 

On the bill 

Compulsory 
DSO web 
portal 

Compulsory 
Supplier 
Web Portal 

Central 
Data Hub 
web portal 

(Smart) 
Meter 
Display 

In-home 
display 
(H1 
interface) 

Smart 
Meter 
Gateway 
(P1 port) 

Contact 
with the 
Supplier 
(one-off 
consumer 
request) 

Contact 
with the 
DSO (one-
off 
consumer 
request) 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

 V 

n.a. 

V 

V 

V 

 V 

 n.a. 

V 

V 

V 

V & NV 

V (not 
compulsory)  
n.a. 

V (not 
compulsory) 

V (not 
compulsory) 

(not 
compulsory) 

 n.a. 

V 

V 

V 

V (not 
compulsory) 

V (not 
compulsory) 

(in near 
future) 

V 

n.a. 

n.a. 

V (not 
compulsory) 

V 

n.a. 

NV 

V 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

n.a. 

NV 

V 

V 

n.a. 

NV 

NV  

NV  

NV 

NV 

n.a. 

NV 

NV 

NV 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V  

V 

V 

V 

NV (only 
large 
customers) 

V & NV 

n.a. 

n.a. 

V  

V 

V  

V 
(integrated 
customers) 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V  

V 

V  

V 

V 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

March 2018  I  54 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V (not compulsory) 

V (not compulsory) 

NV 

NV 

V 

V & NV 

V 

V 

V 

V & NV 

NV 

NV 

V 
(not compulsory) 

NV 

Table 12: Customer’s access to historic consumption data 

V 

V 

V & NV 

V & NV 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

(Near) real time consumption data 

Due  to  the  absence  of  a  validation  process,  (near)  real-time  data  available  directly  from  the  smart  meter  is  usually  non-
validated,  except  for  AT  and  to  lesser  extent  DE  and  LT.    Only  a  few  countries  make  them  accessible  on  compulsory  web 
portals. 

V = validated data   NV=non-validated data 

Compulsory 
DSO web 
portal 

Compulsory 
Supplier 
Web Portal 

Central 
Data 
Hub 
web 
portal 

(Smart) 
Meter 
Display 

In-home 
display 
(H1 
interface) 

Smart 
Meter 
Gateway 
(P1 port) 

Post-meter 
devices 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

n.a. 

n.a. 

V 

n.a. 

NV 

V 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

V 

n.a. 

NV 

NV 

NV 

V 

n.a. 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

March 2018  I  55 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

V 

V 

NV 

NV 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

V 

V & NV 

V 

NV 

n.a. 

NV 

V 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

n.a. 

NV 

n.a. 

NV 
available 
in pilot 
projects 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 
(depending 
on 
supplier) 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

NV 

Table 13: Customer’s access to real time consumption data 

Third party access to consumption data 

Third party access to customer’s consumption data is managed with different approaches across the MS. The interfaces available to 
allow for this access vary widely:  

2. 
3. 

1.  The  DSO  web  portal  or  direct  contact  with  the  DSO  are  the  most  common  interfaces  available  for  third  parties:  in  AT,  BE, 
Cyprus,  ES,  FI,  FR,  HR,  LU,  LV,  PL,  PT,  SE,  SI,  at  least  one  of  the  two  options  is  possible.  Some  of  these  countries  have 
already committed or are discussing to move to a central data hub, opening another access possibility; 
In countries like FI, PT and UK validated data can be provided to Third Parties through the Supplier’s web portal; 

Where a  central data hub is already  operational, like in EE, DK, PT and SI, third party access to validated consumption 

data is possible through the hub; 

March 2018  I  56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. 

In the next future some countries have already planned to structure third party access through a future central data access 

hub. These are: BE, Finland, FR (currently under testing), SE and UK.  

 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

V = validated data   NV=non-validated data 

MS 

Compulsory DSO web 
portal 

Supplier Web 
Portal 

Central Data 
Hub web 
portal 

(Smart) 
Meter 
Gateway 

Contact with 
the Supplier 
(one-off  
request) 

Contact with 
the DSO 
(one-off 
request) 

Direct 
contact 
with the 
client 

Planned 
evolution 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

V 

V (not compulsory but 
offered by some DSOs on 
a voluntary basis) 

V 

n.a. 

V 

V 

NV 

V 

V & NV 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

V 

n.a. 

V and NV 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

V 

V 

V 

n.a. 

V & NV 

Possible access to 
the Central Data 
Hub Web portal 

Rules for data 
access for third 
parties are under 
discussion but not 
finalized 

March 2018  I  57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

FI 

V 

V (not compulsory 
Supplier web portal 
but provided by 
some suppliers on a 
voluntary basis 

NV 

V 

V 

V & NV 

FR 

V, accessible for large 
third parties 

NV 

V 

V & NV 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

V & NV. accessible for 
large customers. Also the 
smart meter profile 
readings is accessible 

NV 

V & NV 

V & NV 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

n.a. 

NV 

n.a. 

V 

n.a. 

V & NV (not compulsory 
DSO web portal but 
offered by some DSOs on 
a voluntary basis) 

NV 

V only for 
integrated 
supply 
customers 

V only for 
non-
integrated 
supply 
customers 

V 

V 

V & NV 

V 

V 

Possible access to 
the Central Data 
Hub Web portal 

There is currently a 
protocol tested 
with an 
identification 
EnedisConnect with 
services like 
MyEnergieCoaching 
similar to Green 
Button Connect). 

As of today, only 
the supplier can 
access data of its 
customers on the 
central data hub, 
the SII. Third 
parties access 
through the DSO is 
not foreseen in the 
regulation 

March 2018  I  58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

V (not compulsory but 
offered by some DSOs on 
a voluntary basis) 
V & NV 

V & NV (compulsory DSO 
web portal), but only 
supplier have access to 
the DSO's web portal 

NV* 

V 

V & NV 

V 

V 

V & NV 

V 

V & NV 

V 

V 

V & NV 

V 

V (web portal not 
compulsory but 
provided only by 
Suppliers within the 
MyData initiative) 

V & NV 

Table 14: Third party access to customer's consumption data 

Central 
Elmarknadshubb 
2021 will provide 
access to third 
parties and 
suppliers starting 
from 2021 

Possible access 
data through the 
DCC (Data and 
Communications 
Company), in the 
future also real-
time data is 
expected to be 
accessible through 
the DCC, with 
customer's consent 

March 2018  I  59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

Consent procedure for third party access 

Validated data: 

The  necessary  customer  consent,  for  giving  and  revoking  access,    is  the  key 
requirement on which the customer control is built on:  

1. 

For all the countries but PL the customer is the actor giving the right to third 

parties to access his validated consumption data; 

2. 

A  clear  protocol  that  enables  the  customer  to  actively  control  third  parties’ 

access is defined in DK, EE, ES and PT; 

3. 

FI,  FR  and  UK  are  planning  to  enable  the  customer  to  exercise  this  control 
beyond  the  traditional  consent  or  authorization.  Other  countries  (Italy)  have 
started a consultation process; 

4. 

All  other  countries  (except  PL)  rely  on  the  customer’s  consent,  generally 

written but sometimes also oral; 

5. 

For  countries  like  EL,  LV,  PL  and  SI,  this  control  is  identified  by  the  current 
energy  contract:  third  parties  (except  the  current  supplier)  are  not  meant  to 
have  access  to  validated  data.  The  same  can  be  said  for  other  countries  where 
current  regulation  has  not  disciplined  access  to  validated  data  for  third  parties 
(beyond  the  chosen  supplier):  in  principle  third  parties  can’t  access  to 
customer’s  validated  data  unless  the  customer  delegates  access  to  the  web 
portal,  when  available.  The  most  concerning  observation  was  that  in  countries 
without  yet  well-defined  data  access  procedures,  clients  may  grant  access  to 
third parties by providing credentials (like the password) to a web portal. This is 
problematic  since  clients  lose  control  on  the  data  once  they  have  given  their 
credentials. 

Non-validated data: 

For non-validated data, it is typically up to the customer’s responsibility to share 
data. With few exceptions, data directly accessible via the smart meter gateway 
is  non-validated.  The  responsibility  on  this  type  of  access  goes  usually  beyond 
the perimeter of the actor accountable to manage customer’s consent related to 
validated  consumption  data.  Data  from  post-meter  devices  (not  covered  in  the 
tables)  always  provide  non-validated  data:  this  data  is  direct  ownership  of  the 
customer  who  can  share  them  according  to  the  private  law  on  personal  data in 
every country, so stakeholders from most MS reported that there are no plans to 
regulate this type of data.  

March 2018  I  60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

The 
customer is 
the actor 
giving the 
right to third 
parties to 
access his 
validated 
consumption 
data 

The DSO is 
the actor 
giving the 
right to third 
parties to 
access 
customer's 
validated 
consumption 
data 

How is the right to 
access this validated 
data provided?  

The 
customer 
clearly 
sees who 
has access 
to his data 

Where/how the 
customer can see 
who has access 
to his data: 

Customer's consent 
is managed by 

Planned 
evolution 

No 

in discussion 

Customer gives consent 
or provide his password 
to the DSO's database. 
However, the sharing of 
the password is 
recognized as a problem. 
Access management 
should be DSO central. 

Written customer's 
consent 

Yes, on 
request 

On request 
asking the DSO 

The customer takes 
his own 
responsibility 

MS 

AT 

BE 

BG 

Non-validated 
data access 
management if 
it is accessible 
to third parties 

Only  validated 
data  evenutally 
accessible 

There  is  a  P1 
plug 
for 
in 
accessing  data. 
DSOs/Atrias 
is 
not  responsible 
for  P1  data 
access.  P1  data 
can not be used 
for  contesting 
billing, 
etc. 
energy 
(just 
services)  +  not 
clear  how  the 
can 
control 
control 
third 
party's  access 
on  his  non-
validated data 

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 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

Written customer's 
consent 

Not 
regulated 

DSO 

Rules for data access for 
third parties are under 
dscussion but not 
finalized 

Specific website: 
common portal 
eloverblik.dk 

Specific website: e-
Elering web portal 

Yes 

Yes 

Mutual agreement with 
the customer 

Specific website: 
common portal 
eloverblik.dk 

Specific website: 
e-Elering web 
portal 

TSO (via the e-
Elering customer 
portal) 

DSO 

The access is 
possible only 
during the 
contract 
duration, so only 
his supplier is 
allowed to have 
access to the 
data 

Only  validated 
data  evenutally 
accessible 

smart-
The 
meter-gateway 
administrator is 
responsible 
to 
manage 
customer's 
consent 
non-validated 
data  evenutally 
accessible  from 
the gateway 

on 

Only  validated 
data  evenutally 
accessible 

Non-validated 
data 
are 
provided  by  the 
meters  which 
belong  to  the 
customer  and 
these  devices 
are  not  whithin 
the  scopes  of 
DSO's 
responsibility. 

March 2018  I  62 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

Specific website: DSO's 
web page 

Yes 

Specific website: 
DSO's web page 

customer and DSO 

Written or oral 
customer's consent 

Yes 

Data provider 

The authorisation 
form is subject to 
general legal 
requirements of 
authorisation 

Scanned customer's 
consent or direct access 
to the database 
depending on the size of 
the third party 

Not clear 

n.a. 

Written consent, 
username and password 
provided by the 
customer 

No 

The customer has 
given consent 
through written 
permission 

DSO 

the 

only 

Non-validated 
data 
accessible 
contacting 
DSO. 
for  non-
Also 
validated  data 
customer's 
consent 
needed 

is 

The 
customer 
will be able 
to set and 
visualize the 
authorization 
for third 
party's 
access on 
the customer 
portal of the 
central data 
hub. Plus the 
central data 
hub's 
manager will 
be 
accountable 
for managing 
customer's 
consent  

Visualization 
of third party 
access will 
be available 
for the 
costumer 
through DSO 
websites as 
of mid-2018. 

Non-validated 
data  access  is 
managed  with 
traditional 
the 
written 
customer's 
consent 

March 2018  I  63 

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

Customer 's consent is 
always  required 
however actual 
regulation does not 
discipline access to 
customer validated data 
by third parties. 
Delegated access to a 
web portal, when 
available, might occur 

Not 
regulated 

In principle third 
parties cannot 
access customer 
validated data; 
the customer can 
delegate the 
third party.  

Data 
controller/processor 
(the supplier or the 
service provider) 

The client can send the 
data to a selected third 
party 

Yes 

The customer 
sends the data by 
himself 

DSO 

Form or web portal of 
supplier or DSO, 
depending if "integrated 
supply customers"or 
"non-integrated supply 
customers" 

Not clear 

only one-off 
requests 

DSO or supplier, 
depending if 
customer us suplied 
through integrated 
supply contract or 
not. 

Non-validated 
data  access  is 
managed 
traditionally 
through 
customer's 
consent.  Only 
third 
parties 
authorized 
directly  by  the 
can 
costumer 
see  his  data. 
Actual 
regulation  does 
not  specify  a 
definitive 
procedure 
tool.  
only  validated 
data  evenutally 
accessible 

or 

one  single  P1 
plug-in 
for 
providing  third 
parties  access 
to 
To 
it. 
activate  the  P1 
port,  there  is  a 
security 
key 
that  has  to  be 
provided  by  the 
DSO. 

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 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

LV 

MT 

NL 

Not 
regulated 

n/a 

For households 
there is a single 
contract between 
supplier and 
customer, which 
includes suppliers 
obligation to 
cooperate with DSO 
in order to provide 
full service.  

With unambiguous 
permission of the 
customer. The consent 
process is currently not 
formalized 

No 

n/a 

The service provider 

PL 

Through his energy 
supply contract 

No 

It depends on the 
supplier's rights 

DSO 

 Right to access 
non 
to 
validated  data 
oocurs  via  P1 
(customer  sees 
who 
is 
physically 
to 
connected 
his 
smart 
meter,  or  via 
like 
website 
If 
HelloData. 
data 
is 
accessed 
via 
P4/P3,  consent 
is  not  clear  and 
there 
no 
is 
clear/easy 
information 
available 
who 
data from SM. 
Only  validated 
data  evenutally 
accessible 

on 
is  taking 

March 2018  I  65 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

Specific website: (DSO's 
central data hub web 
portal) 

Yes 

Specific website: 
(DSO's central 
data hub web 
portal) 

DSO 

Once provided the power 
of attorney, the third 
party can receive Ediel 
messages 

Not clear 

On request 
asking the DSO 

DSO 

Through his energy 
supply contract 

No 

DSO 

Non-validated 
data  accessible 
interfacing with 
the  DSO'central 
data  hub  and 
the DSOs 

 Aggregators 
usually 
install 
their own smart 
meters 
to 
follow  up  on 
consumption  in 
real time. 

Specific website: 
supplier's web portal in 
case the customer's 
supplier is one of the 7 
ones which have joined 
the MyData Initiative. 
Customer's permission 
required. 

No 

The customer has 
provided consent 
or directly data 
to the third party 

Rules as per 
DPA/GDPR 

Compulsory 
supplier's 
web portal 
accessible 
also to third 
parties 
(under 
customer's 
consent) 

the 
has 

Also  to  access 
non-validated 
data 
customer 
provided 
consent 
or 
directly  data  to 
the third party. 

Table 15: Customer’s control on third party access 

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 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

Country Sheets 

Austria  (AT) 
Austria  completely  liberalized  its  electricity  (gas)  market  in  2001  (2002).  The 
consumption  data  management  system  has  always  been  decentralized,  with  DSOs 
occupying  a  key  role  regarding  data  reading,  validation  and  storage.  End  of  2017, 
there were 130 electricity and 19 gas DSOs. 16 (the biggest companies) out of them 
are responsible for both electricity and gas networks.  

Although  the  data  management  for  electricity  and  gas  is  highly  decentralized, 
communication  between  market  participants  is  harmonized  since  2012,  according  to 
the  ebXML  (electronic  business  XML)  standard.  ebXML  is  a  continuation  of  various 
communication  protocols  like  AS1/AS2/AS3,  FTP,  HTTP,  HTTPS,  SOAP  or  SMTP.  More 
information  and  standardized  communication  documents  for  the  market  participants 
for  electricity  and  gas  can  be  found  on  the  energy  industry  common  platform 
http://www.ebutilities.at/.   

Smart  meter  deployment  targets  are  ambitious.  A  coverage  of  80%  (95%)  is 
envisaged by 2020 (2022).32 However, end of 2017, only the region of Oberösterreich 
is well advanced, with a coverage of 17%.  In  other regions,  only pilot projects exist. 
Since  2012,  all  smart  meters  have  by  law  the  same  functional  requirements.  In 
particular,  they  satisfy  the  10  minimum  functionalities  recommended  by  the  EC 
(2012/148/EU)  but  some  of  them  (e.g.  reading  15  minute  interval)  can  only  be 
activated by customer consent. There are currently no smart gas meters. 

Consumption data is stored at DSO and supplier level, for a period of 7 years. When a 
smart meter is installed, stored data has a daily granularity unless the customer opts 
for a 15min granularity. Validated data can be accessed by the customer via the DSO 
(web portal, one-off request) or the supplier (one-off request). Validated historical and 
real-time  data  can  also  be  retrieved  directly  from  the  smart  meter  (a  history  of  60 
days  at  15min  granularity  is  available).  Third  parties  can  access  the  customer’s 
consumption data via direct contact with the customer or via the DSO web portal. In 
the latter case, customers give their password to the third party, which is recognized 
as an issue. Finally, third parties can also connect to the smart meter via the P1 port 
and communication is possible over a few protocols posted to the customer. 

Traditional  business  processes  like  supplier  switching,  billing,  processes  in  the  smart 
meter  context  and  consumption  data  for  smart  meter  are  harmonized  across  the 
country  and  based  on  the  XML  standard.  Usually,  the  customer  receives  a  unique 
annual bill from the supplier (it’s also possible form the DSO and the supplier) but he 
can  also  opt  for  a  separate  and/or  a  monthly  billing.  The  main  reason  for  incorrect 
billing  is  caused  by  the  client’s  reading,  but  this  is  expected  to  fall  away  with  the 
introduction  of  the  smart  meter.  A  supplier  switch  could  be  implemented  in  a  few 
seconds  from  a  technical  point  of  view.  On  average  (compliance  with  civil  law 
deadlines) it takes a few days (2 days for the Netz Oberösterreich DSO) taking manual 
interventions  and  checks  into  account.  All  standardized  market  communication 
processes are described on http://www.ebutilities.at/utilities/prozesse/.  

Emerging services based on smart and self-data currently experience little interest in 
Austria.  

32 Intelligente Messgeräte-Einführungsverordnung (IME-VO) Novelle 2017. 

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Belgium (BE) 
The  liberalization  of  the  Belgian  electricity  and  gas  markets  was  completed  in  2007. 
The  market  is  divided  in  three  Regions  (Wallonia,  Flanders  and  Brussels)  which  are 
each  supervised  by  a  local  regulator:  VREG  for  Flanders,  CWaPE  for  Wallonia  and 
BRUGEL  for  Brussels.  The  common  system  for  electricity  and  gas  consumption  data 
exchange, formats and procedures is converging from a DSO centered towards a more 
centralized system: probably as of 2019, a central market system (CMS) managed by 
Atrias will ensure the exchange of data between the DSOs and third parties. Atrias is a 
joint venture of all Belgian DSOs.  In principle, data remains stored at  DSO level, but 
all data relevant for market processes will also be stored at central level. The market 
model in place as of 2019 is described in the Market Implementation Guide 6 (MIG 6), 
replacing the current MIG 4.1 model.  

SOURCE: ATRIAS 

DSOs are responsible for the installation, reading and maintenance of the meters. For 
traditional business processes (supplier switching and billing), communication between 
DSOs  and  suppliers  is  based  on  EDIFACT  standards.  However,  market  processes  can 
have  regional  nuances  (e.g.  a  regional  tax)  and  it  is  also  reported  that  semantic 
choices  are  sometimes  differing  between  DSOs.  Hence,  even  within  Belgium,  a 
supplier  can  face  different  communication  rules  procedures  depending  on  the  Region 
in which he is active. 

Today,  customers  have  rather  limited  possibilities  to  access  their  consumption  data: 
they can request information directly to their supplier or DSO, but an access via a DSO 
or supplier web portal does not exist. Access to (non-validated) consumption data via 
smart  meters  still  remains  limited,  given  that  smart  meters  are  not  yet  widespread. 
Third  parties  can  access  the  customer’s  consumption  data  via  the  DSO:  either  by 
requesting  the  information  directly  to  the  DSO  or  via  a  web  portal  that  some  DSOs 
offer (but which is not compulsory). Prior to getting the data, the third party needs a 
written  consent  given  by  the  consumer.  The  DSOs,  who  also  have  the  goal  to  make 
measurement  data  available  to  the  final  customer  and/or  a  party  mandated  by  this 
customer,  have  decided  to  develop  a  new  central  system  for  the  exchange  of  this 

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information with third parties. This new system will be available on the same moment 
as the CMS, described in the MIG Third Parties Data Access (TPDA).  

Every  Region  defines  its  own  smart  meter  roll-out  strategy.  In  Flanders,  most  of  the 
meters  are  still  traditional  Ferraris  meters.  Smart  meters  were  installed  in  2016  in  a 
few  municipalities,  for  testing  purposes.  Following  a  positive  cost-benefit  analysis  by 
the  Flemish  regulator  VREG  in  2017,  the  objective  is  to  replace  all  traditional  meters 
(< 56 kVA) as of 2019, both for electricity and gas. New houses and those with solar 
panels will be the first.  In Brussels, a pilot project of 5000 smart meters is currently 
taking place. In Wallonia, there is no official strategy yet, while the main Walloon DSO 
ORES is starting the deployment of the Linky smart meter.33 4 DSOs (Eandis, Infrax, 
Sibelga  and  Resa)  are  currently  working  on  standardizing  protocols  to  ensure 
compatibility  between  different  smart  meter  types:  eMUCS  (extended  Multi  Utility 
Companion Specifications).  

SOURCE: EANDIS 

eMUCS considers several building blocks: the interface towards the Home Automation 
Network (H), between the Head End Systems and the E-meter (M DLMS) and between 
the meters (M MBus). 

References 

  irex consulting: UMIG6, Developing a MIG6 transition implementation roadmap for a 
Belgian energy supplier. http://irex.energy/projects/MIG6-Supplier-Implementation-Roadmap 

  VREG (2017): Rapport met betrekking tot de actualisatie van de kosten-

batenanalyse slimme meters; 

33 https://www.ores.be/particuliers-et-professionnels/smart-metering  

March 2018  I  69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                           
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  EANDIS. Information on smart meters : 

https://www.eandis.be/sites/eandis/files/documents/9010066_uw_nieuwe_verbruiksmeters_praktisch_
bekeken.pdf 

  EANDIS. Smart Communication Module : 

https://www.eandis.be/sites/eandis/files/documents/smart_communication_module_scm.pdf 

  EANDIS (2014). Pilote project smart meters : 

https://www.eandis.be/sites/eandis/files/documents/eindrapport_slimme_meters_maart_2014.pdf 

  Atrias. UMIG Marktprocessen :   

  http://www.atrias.be/NL/Paginas/Publications_UMIG41.aspx 

Czech Republic (CZ) 
In  the  electricity  sector,  DSOs  play  the  main  role  in  the  data  management,  being 
responsible for  consumption data reading, validation and storage.  The data collection 
and management is organized in a partially centralized way.   

Customers  can  have  access  to  their  historical  consumption  data  either  via  their  bills, 
or via a web portal provided by the DSO. It is also possible to contact directly the DSO 
or  the  supplier.  Wherever  there  is  a  smart  meter  installed  in  place,  real  time 
consumption data reading is possible.  

Third  parties  can  have  access  to  customer  consumption  data,  provided  the  customer 
gives  the  right.  They  can  use  the  DSO`s  website  or  ask  for  the  data  via  a  one-off 
request either from the DSO or from the supplier. 

The  smart  meter-roll  out  in  the  households  sector  reached  a  1%  coverage  by  today, 
thanks to several pilot projects. Today, there is also a test project in place to  try-out 
third  generation  smart  meter  devices.  There  is  no  national  target  set  yet  for  smart 
meter deployment. 

Cyprus (CY) 
Cyprus has a centralized data management system entirely managed by the only DSO 
serving the country.  

The Meter Reading Department, which is under the DSO, is responsible for the Meter 
Registration  and  Meter  Reading  and  Management.  Each  Supplier  has  access  to  its 
customers through the Meter Reading Department. 

Several  procedures  are  ongoing  for  the  use  of  an  MDMS  software  (Meter  Data 
Management  System).  On  the  6th  of  October  2017,  the  Cyprus  Energy  Regulatory 
Authority (CERA) has issued a Regulatory Decision (05/2017) for the  implementation 
of a mandatory timetable for the full operation of the MDMS by the DSO, which is April 
2019. 

In the meantime, the DSO is trying an interim application through a controlled access 
to  the  CC&B  (Customer  Care  and  Billing)  and  through  the  controlled  management  of 
certain  information  by  each  user.  With  the  control  access  to  the  CC&B,  the  DSO  will 
have  access  to  the  meter  data  as  well  as  the  data  of  the  network  users.  From  the 
other hand, the EAC (Electricity Authority of Cyprus) -Supplier will have access only to 
its  customers’  data.  During  November  2017,  the  DSO  will  have  a  clear  view  whether 
this application is feasible and if the answer is positive, the application will be available 
for use in December 2017. 

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This application constitutes the current database for retail customers.  

The  DSO  is  then  accountable  for  consumption  data  reading,  validation  and  storage. 
The  process  to  store  the  validated  data  from  readings  takes  more  than  2  days.  Both 
the  DSO  and  the  suppliers  store  historic  data,  the  minimum  requirements  in  term  of 
history is below one year while no requirements are demanded in terms of granularity.  

The  supplier  switching  procedure  has  been  approved  by  CERA  in  2017  and  there  are 
currently no suppliers other than the incumbent company. 

As the first mass rollout of smart meters has not started yet, meter data are provided 
through conventional meters. This has its impact on the billing procedures and on the 
data access for customers and third parties.  

Customers have access to their own historic validated consumption data through their 
bill.  Further,  the  DSO  and  the  supplier  must  be  able  to  provide  the  data  if  one-off 
customer  request  is  received.  Real-time  consumption  data  is  not  accessible  as 
currently the reading is performed by conventional meters. Third party access can get 
customers’  validated  data  through  one-off  request  with  the  DSO  and  the  supplier  or 
with a simple direct contact with the client. The right to the third party to get access 
to validated data is given by the customer, although the customer consent is managed 
by the DSO. Overall, validated data can be provided by the DSO upon written approval 
of  the  customer,  otherwise  the  customer  can  provide  himself  his  own  data  to  third 
parties.  

The  bill  is  unique  and  is  sent  by  the  supplier.  The  customer  pays  for  his  effective 
consumption every 2 months and the energy bill is based on the conventional meters’ 
readings performed every 2 months.  

There  are  not  relevant  commercial  initiatives  that  offer  the  possibility  to  get  non-
validated data from post-meter devices.  

As  mentioned,  the  smart  meter  roll-out  has  not  be  launched  yet,  but  a  Cost  Benefit 
Analysis (CBA) has been performed. In particular through Articles 92(2) and 93(3) of 
the  Law  Regulating  the  Electricity  Market,  CERA  has  ensured  the  implementation  of 
smart meters, where it is feasible, which may be subject to an economic assessment 
of  all  the  long-term  cost  and  benefit  elements  of  the  market  and  the  individual 
customers. The NRA set up a 10-year plan for the implementation of smart metering. 
If smart meter development is positively assessed, at least 80% of customers should 
be  equipped  with  smart  metering  systems  by  2020.  Under  the  provisions  of 
2009/72/EC  Directive  and  the  relevant  Cyprus  Law,  CERA  gave  instructions  to  the 
DSO to carry out a CBA to ensure the implementation of intelligent metering systems, 
specifically 
implementation  of  an  AMI  system  (Advanced  Metering 
Infrastructure). At his initial stage it was decided that a theoretical cost-benefit study 
will  be  carried  out,  which  will  be  updated  with  real  figures  after  the  implementation 
and evaluation of a pilot assessment. On March 2014, the DSO submitted to CERA the 
above CBA study. A pilot study with 3000 meters was launched to update it with real 
data.  

for  the 

The  DSO  has  submitted  to  CERA  a  revised  timetable  for  a  full  rollout  plan  which  will 
take  112  months  to  purchase  and  install  400.000  smart  meters.  The  plan  is  divided 
into four phases (purchase of 100.000 meters each phase – purchase of 57143 meters 
each  year)  and  after  the  end  of  each  phase  the  data  collected  will  be  evaluated 
including,  if  deemed  necessary,  specifications  updates.  The  plan  is  to  start  the 
implementation  of  the  mass  rollout  end  of  2017  /  beginning  of  2018.  On  this  basis, 
CERA is about to issue a decision for a mass rollout of smart meters, however awaiting 
the  positive  feedback  and  positive  decision  for  the  mass  rollout  by  the  EAC  Board  of 
Directors. 

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CERA  is  also  taking  part  in  the  project  "Smart  net  metering  for  promotion  and  cost-
efficient  grid-integration  of  PV  technology  in  Cyprus"  with  the  Acronym  SmartPV, 
which is co-financed by the European Commission under the LIFE+ Programme. Under 
this  research  program  a  pilot  demonstration  project  has  been  carried  out,  whereby 
300 smart meters (202 are single meters and 98 double meters) have been installed 
to the 300 participants. The results of this project are now under investigation. 

Even  though  there  are  no  smart  meters  massively  installed  yet,  for  the  Pilot  project 
scheme  of  3000  smart  meters,  the  DSO  has  taken  into  account  the  EU 
recommendation as well as the latest available technology. 

Gas Market 

There  is  currently  no  gas  market  in  Cyprus,  so  all  the  procedures  and  format  are 
internal and managed by the only gas service provider. 

Germany (DE) 
The  German  retail  markets  for  gas  and  electricity  offer  customers  (on  average)  the 
choice  of  currently  (in  2015)  130  suppliers  for  power  and  105  suppliers  for  gas 
(BNetzA/Bundeskartellamt Monitoringbericht 2017).  

Germany relies on a decentralized data management approach. DSOs are the central 
actors  for  data  collection  and  storage.  Nationally  standardized  market  processes  are 
given  by  the  German  regulatory  authority  (Bundesnetzagentur,  BNetzA).  No  central 
platform exists in Germany; data handling is organized in a decentralized way with a 
common  nationally  standardized  standard.  Privacy  concerns  dominate  the  German 
discussion and have been mentioned as reason for “local” data storage. 

A  cost  benefit  analysis  about  smart  meters  in  2013  (Ernst  and  Young)  showed  no 
economic case for a full role out. Nevertheless, in 2016 the government implemented 
the  Directive  2009/72  EG  for  a  general  roll  out  starting  2017  until  2032  (Gesetz  zur 
Digitalisierung der Energiewende, Messstellenbetriebsgesetz).  

Meter  reading  and  operation  is  a  competitive  sector  in  Germany,  even  if  usually  the 
DSO performs the meter reading. The meter operator owns the meters and is obliged 
to progressively replace the installed devices by smart meters. Germany distinguishes 
between  modern  meters  and  intelligent  meter  systems  but  only  the  later  allows  for 
remote communication. 

The replacement of traditional Ferraris meters with modern meters should  be finished 
by 2032. Smart gateways for remote meter readings are not compulsory for average 
size  households.  Larger  consumers  or  owners  of  larger  decentralized  production 
facilities  will  have  to  install  intelligent  meter  systems  once  at  least  three  certified 
intelligent meter systems are available. The technical specifications of the future smart 
meters  are  defined.  Hence,  Germany  is  advanced  with  the  regulatory  work  and  the 
specification of technical details. However, today there is no certified intelligent meter 
system on the German energy market. 

The  supplier  receives  from  the  DSO  the  data  he  needs  for  the  customer  billing.  The 
DSO usually collects the data (is the meter responsible party) and owns the database 
for storing consumption data.  

Customers can choose between all-inclusive contracts (supplier pays grid fees to DSO 
and  charges  the  customer  accordingly  –  this  is  the  dominant  choice)  or  separated 
contracts  (customer  pays  grid  fees  directly  to  DSO;  supplier  charges  commodity 
costs). 

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There  are  nationally  standardized  market  processes  between  DSOs,  suppliers  and 
meter operators, given by the German regulatory authority (BNetzA). 

The degree of information and frequency depends on the metering system: 

  from DSO to supplier: Electricity consumption in kWh for the relevant period 

(monthly data) 

  from DSO to supplier (in case of all-inclusive contract) or to customer: grid fees and 

grid usage related taxes/levies 

  from supplier to customer: Electricity consumption in kWh for the relevant period, 

commodity prices, taxes, grid fees and grid usage related taxes/levies (in case of all 
inclusive contract)" 

  supplier - customer: at least annually, depends on the contract (e.g. shorter 

periods) 

EDIFACT  syntax  using  the  specific  formats:  MSCONS,  INVOIC,  REMADV,  PRICAT  is 
used for the communication on billing information between DSO and supplier.  

The  customer  switching  process  for  electricity  is  described  in  BNetzA-Festlegung 
"Geschäftsprozesse  zur  Kundenbelieferung  mit  Elektrizität",  BK6-16-200  (Prozesse 
"Lieferbeginn",  "Lieferende",  "Kündigung")"  and  for  Gas  in  „Lieferantenwechsel  Gas“ 
(Prozesse  „Lieferbeginn“,  „Lieferende“,  Kündigung“,BK7-16-142.  The  legal  maximum 
time  for  a  switch  is  three  weeks  (Gesetz  über  die  Elektrizitäts-  und  Gasversorgung). 
The new supplier receives historical consumption data. 

The  data  exchange  for  supplier  switching  is  based  on  the  EDIFACT  syntax  using  the 
standard  message  format  UTILMD.  Messages  are  exchanged  by  e-mail  and  AS2  (see 
EDI@Energy  “Regelungen  zum  Übertragungsweg”  and  EDI@Energy  “Allgemeine 
Festlegungen”) The data formats are nationally standardized and given by the German 
regulatory authority (Bundesnetzagentur, BNetzA). 

Customers  have  access  to  their  own  meter  and  depending  on  the  ability  of  their 
metering device can have access to different granularity.  

Since  the  smart  meters  (“Moderne  Messeinrichtungen”)  currently  rolled  out  do  not 
have  (by  default)  a  gateway  for  remote  access  (remote  meter  reading)  data  sharing 
does not apply. Intelligent meter systems (Smart meters combined with gateway) are 
currently tested but are not yet available.  

The  law  (StromNZV  §  26a)  requires  access  to  the  reserve  markets  for  demand 
response  from  final  customers  (for  new  contracts  from  30/06/2016  and  from 
01/01/2018  for  all  contracts).  However,  the  details  on  how  that  should  be  done,  are 
not worked out yet and are under discussion. 

Many  supply  companies  offer  home  hubs  and  smartphone  apps  for  home  monitoring 
and control. However, since smart meters (including a gateway) are not yet available 
on  the  market  those  initiatives  are  either  independent  of  the  meter  or,  in  some  trial 
cases, based on a camera put on the meter. 

The  data  exchange  in  the  gas  market  mirrors  the  electricity  regulation.  Data  are 
stored de-centrally, DSOs are responsible for metering and passing on information to 
the suppliers. The data format and message formats are the same. 

References 

  Processes "customer switching" 

-  BNetzA-Festlegung  "Geschäftsprozesse  zur  Kundenbelieferung  mit  Elektrizität", 

BK6-16-200 

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-  BNetzA-Festlegung "Lieferantenwechselprozesse Gas, BK7-16-142 

  contracts "Lieferantenrahmenvertrag"  

-  BNetzA-Festlegung zum Lieferantenrahmenvertrag Strom 
-  Kooperationsvereinbarung Gas, Anlage 3 (Lieferantenrahmenvertrag Gas) 

  contracts "Standardverträge Messwesen" Standard metering contracts 

-  Link: BK7-09-001_BK6-09-034 
-  Link: BK6-17-042/BK6_16_042 

"flexibility" 

  Gesetz zur Digitalisierung der Energiewende, August 2016 

-  BK6-17-046_Konsultation%20von%20Eckpunkten.pdf  => 

final  version  of 

September 2017, to be implemented by 2018. 

https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Service-Funktionen/Beschlusskammern/1BK-
Geschaeftszeichen-Datenbank/BK6-GZ/2017/2017_0001bis0999/BK6-17-046/BK6-17-
046_Konsultation%20von%20Eckpunkten.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2 

-  Data formats, see www.edi-energy.de and Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) 

  Gesetz über den Messstellenbetrieb und die Datenkommunikation in intelligenten 

Energienetzen (Messstellenbetriebsgesetz - MsbG) 

http://irex.energy/projects/MIG6-Supplier-Implementation-Roadmap 

Denmark (DK) 
Denmark has developed a centralized data management system. The central data hub 
has been set up in 2013 to handle the interaction between the players in the electricity 
market. The central data hub is owned and operated by Energinet.dk, the Danish TSO.  

Energinet.dk has established codes that set the rules for the use of and the access to 
the  Datahub.  Actors  (DSOs,  suppliers  or  third  parties)  who  want  access  to  the 
Datahub  must  sign  agreements  in  which  they  warrant  to  comply  with  applicable 
legislation,  including  the  Danish  Act  on  Processing  of  Personal  Data.  No  further 
evolution  is  foreseen  up  to  now,  however  the  TSO,  the  DSOs  and  the  suppliers 
cooperate on the development of the data exchange formats and processes.  

The  DSO  is  (and  that  is  not  planned  to  change)  responsible  for  data  reading  and 
validation  which  occurs  in  5  days  after  reading.  The  validated  data  is  then  stored  in 
the data hub – and also in the system of the DSO.  

The  central  data  hub  must  store  at  least  3  years  of  consumption  data;  however, 
consumption data is also stored in the Supplier’s database, in the DSO database (with 
hourly granularity) and in the smart meters (the meters typically have memory for a 
few months data).   

Although smart meters are technically able to read data with a 15 minutes resolution, 
only hourly data is currently read and sent to the data hub. The Datahub handles 15 
minutes  readings,  where  it  is  required  for  billing.  For  all  other  purposes,  only  hourly 
values  are  provided.  Then  an  hourly  granularity  is  the  most  general  minimum 
requirement  for  consumption  data  stored  in  the  central  data  hub  and  in  the  smart 
meters.  

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Customers  can  get  access  to  their  historic  validated  consumption  data  on  a  common 
portal,  eloverblik.dk,  on  the  compulsory  web  portal  provided  by  the  supplier,  on  the 
central  Datahub  web  portal  as  well  as  on  the  bill.    On  the  smart  meter  display  non-
validated real time data is accessible. 

A third party can instead get access to customers’ validated data on the central data 
hub. This access is granted via  a portal where the costumer can give his consent to a 
selected third party and see who has still access to his data.  

The  steps  for  implementing  a  standard  switching  process  are  4  while  for  billing  the 
step is  only one as the supplier just needs to  take the necessary data from the hub. 
The  consumer  receives  just  one  bill  from  the  supplier.  The  billing  frequency  on 
effective  consumption  depends  on  how  the  supplier  chooses  to  handle  this  process. 
Often,  but  not  always,  the  customer  pays  for  his  effective  consumed  energy  every 
three months based on a standard profile; however, it is expected that he will be billed 
based on his realized profile in the very short term.  

For  both  switching  and  billing  data  exchange  the  communication  standard  used  is 
based on XML language.  

The  data  hub  and  the  smart  meters  were  introduced  independently  from  each  other. 
The  data  hub  was  set  up  before  the  deployment  of  the  smart  meters  (2013)  while 
smart meters will reach a 100% coverage by 2020. By then wherever an old meter is 
still  installed  DSOs  are  obliged  to  send  annual  data  to  the  hub  once  a  year.  Smart 
meters will remain ownership of the DSO who is always responsible of data reading.  

Gas: 

For gas, data  operations are organized differently than the Danish electricity market. 
Whilst a supplier centric model and datahub was implemented in the Danish electricity 
retail market of 1 April 2016, the Danish Gas retail market is still based on a system 
where  the  customer  has  two  legal  relations/contracts  with  both  the  supplier  and  the 
DSO. 

Currently  there  are  four  DSOs,  about  twenty  gas  suppliers  and  one  TSO  (Energinet 
https://en.energinet.dk/)  in  the  Danish  gasmarket.  The  DSOs  are  responsible  for 
reading, validating and storing consumption data.  The gas suppliers are dependent on 
the DSOs who provide consumption data for e.g. customer billing and switching.  Data 
communication  between  the  DSO’s,  the  suppliers  and  the  TSO  is  standardized  by 
codes  on  business  processes  on  EDI  communication.  The  codes  regulate  data 
processes.  
billing, 
switching 
:https://energinet.dk/Gas/Detailgasmarked/EDI-kommunikation.  

switching 

moving 

and 

the 

in 

There are timeframes for switching and other processes. The new supplier informs the 
customers’ DSO about the switching at least ten working days before the customer is 
able  to  switch  supplier.  The  DSO  informs  the  customers’  old  supplier  about  the 
switching.  The  DSO  will  ask  the  customer  for  metering  data  to  be  further 
communicated  to  the  old  supplier  who  will  then  send  the  final  settlement  to  the 
customer. 

Further,  the  suppliers  keep  consumption  data  from  their  customers  in  their  own 
databases. Hence the customer can get access to his own data through his bill or after 
a direct one-off request to his DSO or Supplier. Each household has a measuring unit 
but it does not provide real-time info on prices.  

Supplier switching is regulated by the Natural Gas Supply Act and underlying Orders. 
As  for  billing,  the  customer  receives  two  separate  bills,  one  from  the  DSO  and  one 

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from  the  supplier.  Only  if  the  supplier  is  vertically  integrated  with  the  DSO,  the 
customer  receives  one  bill.  From  January  2019  there  will  no  longer  be  vertically 
integrated  DOSs  in  Denmark.  If  asked  by  a  supplier  the  DSO  is  obliged  to  facilitate 
that  the  supplier  can  provide  a  customer  with  one  bill  -  that  is  if  the  supplier  is  not 
vertically integrated with the DSO in question. The private household pays every three 
months  his  effective  consumption  considering  a  standard  profile.  Customer  billing  is 
regulated by the Natural Gas Supply Act and underlying Orders. 

A  third  party  might  get  customer’s  validated  consumption  data  using  the  same 
channels  (one-off  direct  request  to  the  customer’s  DSO  or  Supplier)  or  asking  the 
customer  to  provide  the  data.  This  can  happen  only  under  customer’s  consent.  The 
customer  is  indeed  the  one  who  can  give  the  right  to  third  parties  to  access  his 
validated  and  non-validated  consumption  data  however  he  is  not  currently  able  to 
clearly  see  whoever  has  access  to  it  and  no  procedure  currently  defines  how  to  give 
and  revoke  access  rights.  The  supplier  is  currently  the  market  actor  accountable  of 
managing the customer consent.  

There  are  ongoing  discussions  about  a  future  supplier  centric  model  including  one 
consolidated gas DSO hence becoming a de facto data hub. An act is currently being 
passed paving the way for Energinet  to own the gas distribution systems if they are 
put out for sale by the current owners - the municipalities. Thus consumption data will 
be  processed  and  managed  from  one  central  DSO.  In  any  case  there  is  an  open  and 
constructive  dialogue  with  TSO  Energinet  who  is  responsible  for  technical  market 
codes in cooperation with the DSO’s and the Gas Suppliers  like the one for managing 
the data exchange. 

References 

Link to public documents describing the Switching and Data exchange for billing processes:  

https://en.energinet.dk/Electricity/Rules-and-Regulations/Market-Regulations 

gas price comparison tool 

http://www.gasprisguiden.dk/ -  

https://ens.dk/sites/ens.dk/files/energistyrelsen/Nyheder/2016_01_18_gasanalyse.pd
f - analysis on the Danish gas sector 

http://energitilsynet.dk/gas/ - link to the Danish gas regulator 

Link to public documents describing billing and switching processes in the gas sector: 
https://energinet.dk/Gas/Detailgasmarked/EDI-kommunikation 

Estonia (EE) 
Estonia has a centralized data management system. Consumption and production data 
are  measured  by  smart  meters  installed  by  the  DSOs,  stored  in  a  central  datahub 
owned and maintained by the TSO and notably made available to consumers and third 
parties  (such  as  energy  service  providers)  via  a  data  access  platform,  Estfeed.  The 
Estonian electricity and gas transmission system operator Elering is the neutral party 
that manages the Estfeed platform. 

The platform and the centralized data exchange system is the outcome of an ongoing 
centralization process started, by law, in 2013.  It was understood that the 27 DSOs, 
many of whom are very small, were unable to invest properly into building datahubs. 
Also, that it is much better to have a single datahub for clarity and efficiency reasons. 
Its  central  database  must  store  at  least  5  years  of  consumption  and  production  data 

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with an hourly granularity. The same minimum requirements (both in terms of history 
and granularity) are mandatory for the data base of the DSOs, who are both owners of 
the  smart  meters  and  responsible  for  Consumption  and  production  data  reading  and 
validation.  As  the  last  generation  of  smart  meters  installed  covers  100%  of  the 
metering  points,  the  system  is  fed  by  700  000  measurements  every  hour.  The 
measured  data  is  validated  in  less  than  24  hours.  Data  is  stored  also  in  the  smart 
meters, but the minimum requirements are only related to the hourly frequency.   

The  smart  meters  installed  in  the  country  are  compliant  with  the  minimum 
functionalities  defined  by  the  Recommendation  2012/148/EU  except 
for  the 
recommendation  g  which  is  only  partially  fulfilled  as  the  on/off  switching  is  not 
possible.  Currently  the  devices  can  perform  both  peak  and  average  measures  with  a 
frequency  that  goes  under  the  minute.  Their  metering  interval  of  the  reading  can  be 
changed, and software upgrades are possible at a distance.  

The platform consents access to all the market actors (DSOs, suppliers, customers and 
third  party)  once  provided  the  required  authorization  by  the  consumer.  If  allowed,  a 
selective  access  is  provided  via  national  ID  card  and/or  mobile  ID  whose 
authentication is backed by the national authority. The data exchange is then secured 
via  an  end-to-end  encryption  as  well  as  state-of-the-art  security  servers  which  are 
also in use in the banking and public sectors in Estonia.   

Customers  have  access  to  their  own  historic  validated  consumption  and  production 
data, which they can see through the e-Elering web portal, on their bill or through any 
third party energy service to which they have granted permission to access their data 
via  Estfeed.  Currently  there  are  no  relevant  commercial  initiatives  aiming  to  provide 
non-validated  consumption  and  production  data  to  the  customer.  Through  the  e-
Elering  platform,  the  customer  can  give  the  right  to  third  parties  to  access  his 
validated  consumption  and  production  data,  view  who  has  used  his  data  and  revoke 
rights,  and  it  is  also  possible  to  give  a  written  mandate  to  suppliers  to  access  data 
their  consumption  data.  Customer’s  consent  is  managed  by  the  national  TSO.  The 
supplier  must  have  a  written  or  digital  mandate  by  the  customer,  or  alternatively  a 
mandate provided on e-Elering, in order to see the customer’s data. 

Data  exchanges  for  traditional  activities  (billing  and  switching)  are  managed  through 
the  central  platform.  The  communication  standard  used  for  the  exchanges  is 
specifically  designed 
is  based  on  XML 
for  Estonia  (national  specific)  and 
communication language.  

A  normal  switch  is  effective  in  21  days  since  the  customer’s  request  and  requires  4 
steps. The 21 day delay is due to regulation, technically this could be achieved within 
1 day. Soon the supplier switching will be effective within 7 days following a desire by 
market participants to change the regulation and reduce the switch time from 21 days 
to 7 days. In 2016 26 000 (3.7% of the customers) have been performed.  

The customer pays for his actually consumed energy every month, the bill for energy 
consumption  is  based  on  the  realized  hourly  profile.  Both  joint  bill  and  separate  bills 
are  possible:  some  customers  obtain  a  single  bill  (paying  energy  and  grid  charges), 
other  suppliers  send only an energy bill and then the grid operator sends a separate 
bill.  Whether  to  send  a  single  bill  is  a  choice  of  the  supplier  –  a  single  bill  is  more 
convenient  for  the  customer,  however  by  including  grid  charges  on  a  single  bill,  the 
supplier  assumes  the  credit  risk  for  the  grid  charge.  Generally  large  customers  are 
billed  with  two  bills.  Most  households  receive  a  single  bill.  The  billing  sequence  is 
composed of 2 steps only: the meter data request to the datahub and bill sent to the 
customer, both actions are performed by the supplier.  

Gas Market 

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A centralized system has been chosen, by regulation, also to manage data in the gas 
market.  Data  is  currently  stored  in  both  DSOs’  and  central  platform  data  base 
although  the  central  platform  stores  hourly  values,  while  the  DSOs  measure  daily 
values (the DSOs spread the single daily measurement across the 24 hours in order to 
fit  the  data  into  the  central  database).  The  smart  meter  deployment  is  currently 
covering 2000 out of 54 000 metering points. Development, access and security of the 
platform  are  managed  following  the  same  principles  valid  for  the  electricity  market. 
DSOs  are  responsible  for  data  reading  and  validation  (that  occurs  within  the  first  24 
hours), the TSO is accountable for data storage and data accessibility.  

The  customer  receives  historic validated data for the accounting period (past month) 
on the bill, but he can obtain both historic and almost real time validated data through 
e-Elering  (TSO  web  portal)  and  the  data  sharing  platform  Estfeed,  or  via  any  third 
party’s energy service which they have chosen, that receives the data from the central 
data  exchange  platform  Estfeed  (which  makes  available  validated  data  from  the 
central  data  hub).  Non-validated  historic  and  real-time  consumption  and  production 
data  are  also  accessible  through  the  smart  meter  display.  Third  party  access  to 
validated consumption and production data is regulated as in the electricity market.  

The  procedures  used  for  billing  and  switching  are  based  on  the  same  steps  and 
communication  standards  of  the  electricity  market  with  few  differences.  The  average 
time  needed  for  switching  is  15  days.  The  bill  is  sent  separately  for  energy 
consumption  (from  the  supplier)  and  grid  charges  (from  the  grid  operator).  The  two 
bills  double  the  steps  needed  for  the  billing  procedures  as  the  platform  needs  to 
provide  the  data  to  both  supplier  and  grid  operator.  The  bill is  based  on  the  realized 
profile  only  for  1600  metering  points  whose  reading  is  collected  electronically.  The 
other 52 000 points are billed according to the standard load profile. The smart meters 
account  however  for  70%  of  total  gas  sales  volume  however  –  smart  meters  are 
primarily installed at large consumers’ premises. 

Greece (EL) 
HEDNO  is  the  unique  DSO  in  Greece  and  is  responsible  both  for  storage  and 
management  of  measurement  data.  For  small  customers  the  measurement  data  are 
stored  together  with  customer  data  in  an  in-house  CRM  (Customer  Relationship 
Management) system while for bigger customers the data are stored and managed in 
a separate MDM (Meter Data Management) system. All systems are centralized, which 
means  that  the  two  platforms  for  data  storage  of  small  and  big  customers  are 
common and unique for the whole country. A new system is expected as of 2020: the 
system  will  substitute  the  current  one  but  whether  there  will  be  a  unique  system  or 
two  separate  systems  (like  the  CRM  and  MDM)  has  not  been  decided  yet.  The  new 
system  will  be  centralized  as  well.  The  reason  for  future  substitution  is  the 
modernization and the unbundling of market. The legacy system is being inherited by 
the  former  bundled  market  and  does  not  cover  the  special  needs  of  the  deregulated 
market.   

Data is stored in the DSO’s database: more than 10 years (since 1990) of historic data 
must  be  available  with  a  monthly  granularity  (more  precisely  it  depends  on  the  size 
and type of customer: so monthly, 4 monthly, 6 monthly and yearly granularity can be 
found). There are no other relevant points of storage (like the central data hub or the 
smart meter) where the data is stored under certain requirements. Selected access to 
the  system  is  guaranteed  by  pre-defined  procedures  and  quality  control  for 
authenticating  data  and  users.  The  evolution  of  the  data  exchange  format  and 
processes  is  open  to  suggestions,  remarks  and  complaints  that  are  accepted  and 
overviewed by the DSO accountable for the data management system.   

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The DSO is responsible for consumption data reading, validation and storage. The time 
required for validation is less than 24 hours. The country is being divided in 20 meter 
reading sections, one for each working day of the month. Since the reading frequency 
for  small  customers  is  quarterly  (every  4month),  100,000  measurements  are 
acquired, stored, validated and sent to the suppliers each day. 

Customers have access to their own historic validated consumption data through their 
bill  and  through  the  supplier  web  portal  (which,  however,  is  not  mandatory),  further 
the DSO and the supplier must be able to provide the data under if one-off customer 
request is received. Non-validated real-time consumption data is also available via the 
meter display. As no smart meters have been installed in the country yet, the data is 
provided by the conventional meter.  

As  for  non-validated  data  some  suppliers  provide  customers  with  smart  home 
solutions,  which  cannot  be  used  for  billing.  The  DSO  does  not  have  access  to  the 
relevant information about the type and number of these devices though.  

Supplier  access  to  customer’s  validated  consumption  data  is  managed  by  the  DSO. 
The  DSO  is  indeed  responsible  to  give  the  right  to  access  customer’s  validated 
consumption data, provided that the supplier has the agreement of the customer. This 
is  verified  by  the  system.  The  access  is  granted  only  during  the  contract  duration. 
Beside the supplier with an active energy supply contract no further third parties can 
have  access  to  customer’s  validated  data  (suppliers  other  than  those  who  have  a 
signed  contract  with  the  client  can  have  access  to  the  client’s  data  only  after  his 
agreement). 

Post-meter devices can provide non-validated consumption data to customers, the use 
of  this  type  of  data  is  out  of  the  perimeter  of  the  current  data  management  system 
and of the DSO.  

A CBA for smart meters has been performed with positive results, but the pilot roll-out 
of 200,000 smart meters has not been realized yet.  

Although  no  smart  meters  are  installed  the  typical  switch  requires  just  2  days  to  be 
implemented.  The  contact  point  for  both  new  and  old  supplier  is  the  DSO  and  the 
communication  standard  used  is  a  national  specific  standard  that  uses  in-house 
application  used  to  exchange  the  necessary  information.  The  validation  procedure  is 
performed real-time by the system, that’s why the procedure is so quick. 

The lack of smart meters seems to affect the procedures currently valid for billing. The 
bill is unique, the  customer usually pays for his effectively consumed  energy  every 4 
months,  the  bill  is  based  on  the  realized  profile.  The  conventional  meters  have  two 
registers (two zones), one for the day, one for the night. Incorrect billing is common 
in  the  cases  that  the  meter  is  read  by  stakeholders  other  than  the  DSO,  like  the 
supplier or the customer.  

Gas Market 

The gas market in Greece is quite small, the unbundling of the market was very lately 
completed  but  the  regulatory  framework  is  not  completed  yet.  At  the  moment  there 
are three DSOs serving the biggest cities of Greece, the small customers (households) 
are  around  500,000  while  the  bigger  customers  are  some  thousands.  The  small 
customers at the moment do not have the right to switch to a new supplier, but this is 
going  to  change  starting  from  the  first  of  January  2018.  The  bigger  customers  have 
already  the  right  to  choose  their  supplier,  but  the  procedures  are  not  standardized 
yet.  A CBA for smart meters has been performed but the results were negative. 

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As  the  unbundling  process  is  still  open,  metering  regulation  is  to  be  published. 
Currently  the  DSO  is  responsible  to  measure,  validate  and  storage  the  consumption 
data, everything is done within 24-48 hours after the reading.  

The customer can currently get his validated consumption data through the bill and in 
case of a direct one-off request to the DSO. However, the situation is evolving DSOs’ 
portals will become available starting from the first of January 2018 when households 
will become eligible customers able to switch. 

The bill is unique and is sent by the supplier. The small customer usually pays for his 
effectively  consumed  energy  every  2  months,  but  this  is  an  aspect  that  changes  on 
the type of customer. Standard profiles will be implemented from January 2018. Until 
then,  the  consumption  is  allocated  on  the  realized  profile,  proportional  depending  on 
the  number  of  days.  As  the  Supply  Code  is  currently  under  public  consultation,  no 
communication standards and procedures for billing have been defined yet.  

References 

http://www.et.gr/idocs-
nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wE4q6ggiv8WTXdtvSoClrL8Joyc7XV
ao2W4ndCieBbLVuJInJ48_97uHrMts-
zFzeyCiBSQOpYnTy36MacmUFCx2ppFvBej56Mmc8Qdb8ZfRJqZnsIAdk8Lv_e6czmhEem
bNmZCMxLMtQX_yzMRwpMSpxkoE22GfnZ0ui8tIAk24UFLGkOFWlix 

Spain (ES) 
The data exchange management between retailers and DSOs in Spain is decentralized 
although  some  features  of  a  centralized  system  can  be  observed.  The  information 
interchange  is  based  on  the  SIPS  (Sistema  de  Información  de  Puntos  de  Suministro, 
Supply  Point  Information  System).  Every  DSO  manages  his  own  SIPS  with  the 
information  related  to  his  supply  points.  Customers  can  oppose  to  the  publication  of 
the  information  of  his  supply  point  in  the  SIPS,  by  declaring  himself  as  “Robinsons”. 
The format and information included in the SIPS files is defined by the regulator CNMC 
(Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia). In those files there is technical 
information  and  consumption 
identified  by  a  code  (the  CUPS) 
corresponding to the supply point. No personal data is included in the files. Technical 
data  includes  the  location  (city),  type  of  tariff,  maximum  contracted  power,  etc.  and 
also  the  retailer  serving  this  supply  point.  Consumption  information  includes  the 
validated monthly consumption (used for billing), for the last three years. Those SIPS 
files  are  sent  (mandatory)  monthly  to  the  CNMC,  who  publishes  them  to  make  them 
accessible to all the retailers. 

information 

Retailers  can  access  those  SIPS  files  from  the  CNMC  web  portal  (centralized  way, 
where  all  files  from  all  DOS  can  be  found)  or  from  the  web  portal  of  every  DSO 
(decentralized  way,  where  only  the  information  for  this  DSO  is  found).  The  main 
difference  is  that  the  files  in  the  CNMC  web  portal  are  updated  monthly  and  only 
mandatory  data  is  included,  meanwhile  the  SIPS  files  in  the  DSO  web  portal  can  be 
updated more often (e.g. twice a month) and can contain some additional information 
(optional).  Access  to  the  web  portals  is  secured  by  the  use  of  user  names  and 
passwords. This DSO portal is also used to interchange requests and answers between 
DSOs and retailers. Information interchanged through requests are fully updated. 

Information  in  the  SIPS  as  well  as  procedures,  data  exchanges  and  messages  are 
standardized at national level by the regulator CNMC. Procedures are agreed through 

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a  collaborative  process  managed  by  the  CNMC,  with  the  voluntary  participation  of 
DSOs and suppliers, ratified by the Ministry, and published by the CNMC.  

Every  DSO  is  responsible  for  getting  the  metering  data  from  its  supply  points;  it 
stores, protects, processes, validates and distributes them. 

This model was put in place in 2003, during the liberalization process of the domestic 
electricity  market  and  has  been  maintained  since  then.  No  changes  toward  a  totally 
centralized system are expected.  

In  Endesa,  communication  with  smart  meters  is  secured  by  encryption  with  AES  128 
symmetrical keys. 

The  major  distributor  in  the  country  (Endesa  Distribucion)  currently  processes  10.2 
million of hourly load curves every day. 

Consumption  data  are  indeed  stored  in  the  DSO  database  satisfying  these  two 
requirements: last 5 years of history and hourly granularity. Hourly consumption data 
must be stored also in the smart meter but just for three months. As a consequence, 
the  customer  has  access  to  his  own  historic  validated  consumption  data  on  the 
compulsory DSO web portal as well as through the bill. Customers access to the DSO 
web  portal is  secured  by  registration  and using  user  name  and  password.  For  supply 
points  with  smart  meters  the  maximum  time  lag  between  the  reading  and  the 
availability of validated data in the customers’ web portal depends on the DSO but is 
about 5 days. The frequency of the data collection depends on the type of costumers 
and DSO own practices. 

Non-validated data, both historic and real-time, is instead accessible only through the 
smart  meter  display.  It  is  worth  to  remind  that  detailed  information  (i.e.  hourly 
consumption) is based on smart meters data, so the availability of this information is 
linked to the availability of smart meters.  

Additional  data  provided  to  the  client  by  post-meter  devices  are  not  regulated:  this 
information is treated as a private agreement between the consumer and the service 
provider.  Suppliers  are  indeed  developing  and  offering  new  products  and  extra 
services  as  real  time  interconnection  between  meters  and  customers  (or  with  home 
appliances) is not yet in place in Spain (not requested by current national regulation). 
However, it is worth reminding that just measures read, treated and validated by the 
DSO  are  used  for  billing  purposes  as  well  as  for  energy  acquisition;  regulation is  not 
expected  to  change.  There  are  also  free  apps  that  allow  users  to  access  his 
consumption  data    consumption  from  any  mobile  device,  accessing  the  DSO  data 
base.  There  is  one  DSO  in  Spain  that  offers  to  their  customers  the  possibility  to 
request  an  instantaneous  reading  of  your  meter  and  get  the  value  in  real  time,  but 
always  through  the  central  system  of  the  DSO.  Some  pilot  projects  for  data  sharing 
platform have been set up but not on a large scale (as Data Protection Law issues will 
have to be addressed).  

A third party might get validated data via de  DSO  compulsory  web portal or through 
direct  contact  with  the  client.  Further,  the  customer  can  authorize  a  third  party  to 
access  his  historic  validated  consumption  data  through  the  DSO  web  page  where  he 
can also see who has been appointed of this kind of access. Non validated data is only 
in the meter and no access to data in the meter is possible for the customer or a third 
party, unless through the display. 

As said, the consumer can share his information to third parties, but a specific process 
for third party data access has not been defined yet.  

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In  this  system  an  average  switch  is  implemented  within  the  first  5  days  after  the 
customer’s  request.  The  information  exchanged,  and  updated  in  the  SIPS,  after  a 
switching operation considers: CUPS (Código Unificado del Punto de Suministro), type 
of request, supplier code, technical and administrative information.  

There is only one bill sent by the supplier. Hourly load profiles are sent daily from DSO 
to  suppliers,  and  customers  are  billed  monthly  according  to  their  effective  hourly 
consumption and the realized profile. This is certainly valid for the regulated market: 
in  the  non-regulated  market  retailers  can  offer  other  tariff  schemes.  In  Spain, 
customers  with  contracted  power  below  10KW  can  chose  a  regulated  or  a  non-
regulated  billing  scheme.  In  the  regulated  billing  scheme  (called  PVPC,  Precio 
Voluntario  del  Pequeño  Consumidor),  this  is  stablished  by  the  regulator  and  it  is 
currently based in the actual hourly consumption; in the non-regulated billing scheme, 
retailers are free to offer any kind of billing schemes to the customers. 

The  necessary  data  exchange  for  both  switching  and  billing  is  and  will  be  performed 
using a national specific communication standard.  

The legal target for smart meters (with remote reading capability) deployment is 100 
percent by the end of 2018 in the domestic segment (contractual power equal or lower 
than  15  kW).At  31/12/2016  the  coverage  of  installed  smart  meters  was  higher  than 
81% nationwide. 

The  current  roll-out  is  related  to  the  first  generation  of  smart  meters  installed  in 
Spain. DSOs are responsible for metering but the customer in Spain is entitled to own 
his meter, though this is not the usual case. In the future there could be a review of 
Smart  Meters  specifications  (after  the  initial  roll-out).  This  first  generation  of  smart 
meters  is  compliant  with  nine  out  of  the  ten  common  minimum  functionalities  for 
smart  metering  systems  required  by  the  EC  (Recommendation  2012/148/EU)  as 
functionality b is not provided. These devices allow remote software upgrades as well 
as the possibility to change the metering interval. The finest granularity is 1 min for all 
type of measures that can be collected by the Endesa smart meter however, the only 
legal requirement is 1 hour granularity.  

The  data  transfer  protocols  between  Central  System  and  smart  meters  installed  in 
Spain  are  mainly  two:  Meters  and  More  protocol  SMITP  (Smart  Metering  Information 
and  Telecommunication  Protocols),  used  for  smart  meters  installed  by  Endesa 
Distribucion, and the DLMS (Device Language Message Specification) over PRIME PLC 
protocol for all the others main DSOs. 

Gas Markets 

The  data  exchange  management  in  Spain is  a  decentralized  system.  The  information 
interchange is based on the SIPS (Sistema de información de Puntos de Suministro  - 
Supply  point  Information  System).  Every  DSO  manages  his  own  SIPS  with  the 
information related to their supply points. All the suppliers can access to all the SIPS 
of all DSOs through a common platform called SCTD for getting information about all 
customers connected to the grid. The common SCTD platform has been developed by 
DSOs.  Every  DSO  is  responsible  for  metering  and  collecting  the  data;  it  stores, 
protects,  processes,  validates  and  distributes  them  to  the  designated  suppliers. 
Procedures  and  messages  are  standardized  at  national  level  by  the  CNMC.  Switching 
and  billing  processes  are  like  the  ones  described  for  the  electricity  market  as  well  as 
digital format and exchange channels. 

As the data collection in the very small customers is every two months, and in bigger 
ones  every  month,  smart  meter  roll-out  is  not  expected  in  a  short-medium  term. 
Nowadays  telemetry  is  mandatory  for  customers  with  a  consumption  of  more  than  5 
GWh/year. 

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References  

Real  Decreto  1110/2007 
https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/2007/BOE-A-2007-16478-consolidado.pdf  

of  December 

(last  update 

the  4th  2015) 

Finland (FI) 
The  current  data  exchange  model  is  a  nationally  standardized  decentralized  system. 
The data is bilaterally exchanged by the main responsible parties for these activities: 
DSOs and suppliers.  

Starting  from  2020  at  the  earliest  the  data  management  model  will  become  fully 
centralized  as  every  data  exchange  will  be  done  through  a  Datahub,  operated  by 
Finnish TSO Fingrid. The meter reading activity will remain decentralized as DSOs will 
remain  responsible  for  meter  reading  and  validation.  They  will  then  send  validated 
meter data to the Datahub. Currently the DSO is instead responsible for the two-way 
metering: both consumption and grid feed data reading, validation (that is performed 
within  1  day  at  the  latest),  storage  and  exchange.  The  future  centralization  is  then 
related  to  all  the  other  retail  market  processes:  supplier  switching,  moving,  meter 
data storage and exchange. This choice has been a result of a CBA performed in 2014.  

The Finnish TSO has been chosen for its neutral role across other market actors. 

Data  exchange  formats  and  processes  for  data  exchange  are  developed  and  updated 
by  the  industry  association  (market  processes  incl.  time  limits)  and  by  the  TSO 
(technical instructions for messages), in close co-operation with DSOs and suppliers. 

In the future the Datahub will store the meter data and allow the data exchange. The 
database  will  then  respect  the  following  requirements  in  terms  of  history  and 
granularity of the consumption data stored: 6 years of historic data will be stored with 
a hourly granularity (15 minutes in the future). Meter data are now stored in the DSO 
and  the  supplier  database  with  the  same  characteristics  in  terms  of  history  and 
granularity demanded to the future Datahub. Further, smart meters must store hourly 
data for at least the balance period/one billing period; but usually 3 months minimum. 
Overall the current  system  enables the daily reading of the hourly consumption from 
the 99% of the meters installed while other meters are read at least 4 times per year.  

As  of  today,  the  customers  have  access  to  their  historic  validated  consumption  data 
through  their  bill  (only  the  billing  period),  the  compulsory  DSO’s  web  page  (some 
DSOs offer also mobile versions) or directly from the DSO or the supplier after a direct 
one-off  request.  Most  of  the  suppliers  in  the  Finnish  market  provide  a  web  portal  for 
customers to access historic validated data, although on a voluntary basis. Real-time 
and historic non-validated data are accessible through the smart meter display, an In-
home  display  (H1  interface)  connected  to  the  smart  meter  (these  are  value-added 
services)  and  the  smart  meter  gateway  (P1  port,  provided  by  the  DSO  on  customer 
request).  It  is  worth  to  specify  then  that  not  all  customers  receive  meter  readings 
straight from the meter, unless they have ordered a meter for that, but all customers 
receive the hourly meter data via webpage. 

Post meter devices can provide validated or non-validated consumption data whether 
the  device  gets  information  by  messages/web-portal  or  reads  the  data  directly  from 
the meter respectively. 

In  the  future  customers  will  get  their  data  directly  from  the  Datahub.  Datahub  will 
offer a user interface  for the customers, a  so-called customer portal, from  where the 
customers  can  see  information  about  themselves  who  will  have  registered  in  the 
Datahub. In the customer portal the customer will be able to see the metering data of 
their accounting points, contract information and other data. The customer will see all 

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of  his  information  regardless  of  which  DSO's  area  their  accounting  points  are  or  who 
the supplier is. 

In  the  country  there  are  commercial  initiatives  allowing  the  client  to  have  additional 
non-validated  data  about  his  consumption.  These  are:  e.g.  Free  My  Consumption  by 
Vattenfall,  Energy  Watch  by  Vattenfall,  Fortum  home  display  (Fortum  kotinäyttö)  by 
Fortum.  Further,  it  has  to  be  noted  that  there  are  already  initiatives  providing 
flexibility  services  for  small  customers  like  Fortum  Fiksu  by  Fortum  and  the  pilot 
project by Helsingin Energia (demand response service for households). 

Only under customer’s consent a third party can have access to customer’s validated 
data through the DSO compulsory web portal, the supplier web portal (if available) or 
directly from the supplier or the DSO after a direct one-off request. The consent form 
is subject to general legal requirements of authorisation and no special set of rules is 
formed  for  electric  markets  concerning  authorisation.  Once  available  this  will  be 
possible  through  the  Data  Hub  web  portal.  As  for  non-validated  consumption  data, 
once  the  customer’s  consent  is  obtained,  a  third  party  can  read  a  standard  open 
interface at the meter for real time consumption (on consumer's behalf) if a customer 
has  requested  it.  The  same  is  valid  for  non-validated  data  provided  by  a  post-meter 
device. Validated or non-validated data can also be provided directly by the customer.  

The customer is the one who can give third parties the right to access his consumption 
data. This right is provided via written or oral consent. As only DSO, supplier and third 
party to whom customer has given consent can have access to customer's data, it can 
be  said  that  the  customer  can  clearly  see  who  has  access  to  his  data.  Currently  the 
data  provider  (either  the  DSO  or  the  supplier)  is  accountable  for  managing  the 
customer consent, but in the future this role will fall in the perimeter of the Datahub. 
Indeed, in the future a customer will be able to check, in the customer portal provided 
by  the  Datahub,  to  which  companies,  for  which  data  and  for  which  time  period  they 
have given an authorisation. The customer can edit the authorisation information if he 
wants to. 

The  data  exchanges  for  a  switching  operation  are  nationally  standardized  and 
currently  managed  by  the  DSO.  The  switching  process  normally  follows  6  steps. 
Supplier switching takes maximum 14 days and is possible any day of the week. More 
precisely  the  necessary  data  exchange  process  takes  maximum  5  days,  but  new 
supplier  must  inform  new  contract  minimum  14  days  before  the  delivery  starts.  A 
potential  new  supplier  can’t  have  access  to  historic  data  before  the  contract  is 
concluded.  

The future data hub will centrally manage master data for switching operation and will 
act as unique interface between the DSOs and the suppliers. 

Consumption  data  for  billing  purposes  are  currently  obtained  by  suppliers  through 
bilateral exchanges with the DSO, responsible to provide effective consumption data to 
them.  The  way  the  bill  is  sent  to  the  customer  is  not  harmonized  as  there  are  two 
billing  models.  For  switched  customers  the  supplier  bills  energy,  while  the  DSO  bills 
distribution  charges  and  electricity  taxes  (dual  billing  model).  One  unique  bill  is  sent 
from the suppliers for those household and small customers who never switched (only 
households  and  small  customers  who  are  still  buying  electricity  from  their  local 
supplier).  Based  on  legislation  the  client  pays  for  his  effective  consumption  at  least 
every 3 months; however, consumed energy is usually billed more often, every 1 or 2 
months  depending  on  the  contract.  The  client  pays  according  his  realized  meter 
consumption (hourly time-series). The bill is sent according to national standards: the 
information presented in the bill must comply with certain minimum requirements 

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Data  exchanges  for  both  switching  and  billing  use  EDIFACT  as  communication 
standard  for  meter  data.  In  the  future  the  communication  standard  chosen  might 
change  into  CIM,  however  this  still  will  be  definitely  defined  once  the  Datahub 
specifications  are  ready.  The  central  data  hub  will  be  the  future  interface  for  both 
DSOs  and  suppliers  for  the  exchange  data  for  switching  and  billing.  The  security  of 
these exchanges is managed by data exchange operators.  

The first roll-out of smart meters is completed and today the coverage is around 99%. 
The owner of the meters is and will remain the DSO. As for the generations of devices 
currently installed in the country, it has to be said that, although there are numerous 
different smart meters of different revisions from different companies, all are basically 
1st  generation.  Many  have  more  functionalities  than  the  ones  defined  as  minimum 
requirements.  They  are  generally  compliant  with  the  10  common  minimum 
functionalities 
the  EC  Recommendation  2012/148/EU  although 
functionality j is only partially fulfilled as reactive power metering is not possible. It is 
possible  to  configure  the  metering  system  at  a  distance  and  to  carry  out  software 
upgrades.  The  meters  are  set  to  measure  average  consumption  every  60  minutes. 
However,  it  is  possible  to  change  the  metering  resolution  to  15  minutes  with  some 
restrictions. To do that all meters must be either reprogrammed or replaced entirely. 
Some (roughly 50%) can be programmed remotely, but some require visiting locally. 
The programmability depends on the type of meter and the reading solutions chosen. 
The rest of the meters have to be entirely replaced. 

required  by 

Gas market 

There  is  derogation  in  effect  for  Finnish  gas  market.  As  such,  the  market  does  not 
exist  yet  and  the  creation  of  gas  market  is  still  in  very  early  stages  (so  it  is  not 
possible  to  switch  supplier).  It  is  expected  that  the  gas  market  will  be  opened  to 
competition  in  2020.  As  the  DSO  is  also  the  supplier  the  data  exchange  is  currently 
managed  internally.    The  DSO  is  then  responsible  for  data  reading,  validation  and 
storage. Metered data have to be delivered to the balance settlement in three days. In 
case a customer might want to get access to his validated consumption data he needs 
to  make  one-off  direct  request  to  the  DSO.  Validated  consumption  data  is  not 
available  on  the  bill  which  is  unique  and  is  paid  based  on  the  effective  realized 
consumption profile every 3 months.  

References  

  Datahub webpage: http://www.fingrid.fi/en/customers/datahub/Pages/default.aspx 

  Datahub events, technical description (26 April 

2016)http://www.fingrid.fi/fi/asiakkaat/datahub/Documents/Datahub_events.pdf 

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France (FR) 

DSOs  play  a  central  role  in  the  French  electricity  and  gas  consumption  data 
management.  They  are  responsible  for  data  reading,  validation  and  storage.  The 
major DSO for electricity distribution is Enedis, covering 95% of the clients and acting 
therefore  as  a  main  entity  in  the  data  exchange.  Next  to  Enedis,  there  are  150 
independent  DSOs,  5  of  them  having  between  100.000  and  1  million  clients  and  the 
rest  serving  much  smaller  areas.  Concerning  gas,  the  major  DSO  is  GRDF,  covering 
95% of the clients and acting therefore as a main entity in the data exchange as it is 
the  case  for  electricity  with  Enedis.  Next  to  GRDF,  there  are  23  independent  DSOs 
with a natural gas distribution system. 

Electricity consumption data is stored at DSO and supplier level. At DSO level, there is 
a legal obligation to store 10 years of data, with a yearly or half-yearly granularity in 
case  of  manual  reading.  If  a  smart  meter  is  installed,  the  typical  granularity is  daily, 
unless  the  customer  explicitly  chooses  30min  data.34  The  supplier  has  a  legal 
obligation too to have  10 years of history available (granularity is monthly in case of 
smart  meters,  unless  the  customers  requires  30min).  Within  the  smart  meter,  4-5 
months of hourly data can be stored locally. Customers can access their data relatively 
easily,  since  DSOs  and  suppliers  are  obliged  to  give  access  to  validated  historic  and 
daily refreshed data via web portals. They can also retrieve real time data from their 
smart meter (via P1 port or H1 interface), but this data is non-validated. 

Concerning gas, the main difference is about the granularity: the customer has a daily 
information  if  a  smart  meter  is  installed.  Hourly  data  are  available  with  a  specific 
subscription via the supplier. 

DSOs are together responsible for Energy Individual Data Protection. Customers must 
be able to share - or authorize DSOs to - share their data to any authorized third party 
through  express  customer  consent.  However,  the  consent  process  for  individual 
customer  is  not  yet  defined  in  a  unique  procedure.  Three  different  approaches  are 
currently accepted on a legal base. Large third parties can access the customer’s data 
directly  through  the  DSO  web  portal  and  also  through  web  services,  based  on  an 
agreement  between  the  DSO  and  the  third  party.  It  is  assumed  that  the  third  party 
has  collected  the  customer’s  consent  previously.  The  DSO  can  perform  controls. 
Smaller  third  parties  access  the  data  via  one-off  requests  to  the  DSO,  based  on  a 
scanned consent provided by the customer. Ex-post, the customer cannot clearly see 
who is having access to his data, but this is expected to change by mid of 2018, when 
DSO  web  portals  should  foresee  and  implement  such  a  functionality.  As  a  third 
possibility  being  currently  experimented,  third  parties  can  develop  and  use  a 
connector to Enedis API portal, which enables them 1) to authenticate the client as a 
DSO  customer  and  check  its  consent  to  share  data  with  the  3rd  party  and  then  2)  to 
get access to customer data. This 3rd approach is expected to be generalized by mid of 
2018.  GRDF  is  currently  working  and  experimenting  very  similar  access  for  third 
parties. 

The smart meter roll-out is handled by the DSO. Replacing old electricity meters with 
smart  meters  is  mandatory  as  of  today.  The  project  will  span  5  to  6  years,  with  a 
targeted coverage of 90% by the end of 2021 (regulation 2014/07/17). Smart meters 
fulfil  all  of  the  10  functionalities  recommended  by  the  EC  (Recommendation 
2012/148/EU).  Enedis  has  started  the  roll-out  of  smart  meters  (Linky)  and  has 
launched pilot projects to provide customers access to their data (via Linky) as well to 

34 In that case, a history of 10 years would also be possible, as long as not more than 
20% of the customers choose that option. 

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transfer their data to third parties (Solenn and Enedis data connect). The Linky smart 
meter  reads  only  electricity  consumption,  not  gas.  The  download  of  daily  data  from 
the  DSO  web  portal  is  possible  at  any  time  for  customers  in  a  simple  standard  file 
format. Enedis is working on an alternative file format based on the IEC international 
data  model  CIM,  which  could  be  a  starting  point  to  build  a  common  interoperable 
standard.  GRDF  has  started  the  roll-out  of  smart  gas  meters  (Gazpar)  in  May  2017, 
and the roll-out should span nearly 6 years. 

Communication  standards  for  traditional  business  processes  like  billing  and  supplier 
switching  are  national-specific.  Formats  and  procedures  are  validated  in  workshops 
organized 
on 
CRE. 
the 
https://www.gte2007.com/referentiel.php.  

Processes 

described 

regulator 

are 

by 

Croatia (HR) 
Croatia was the 28th (and up till now last) member state to join the European Union in 
2013.  The  Croatian  electricity  and  gas  market  were  liberalized  in  2008.  As  there  is 
only  one  DSO  for  the  Croatian  electricity  market,  Croatia  has  de  facto  a  centralized 
data management system. For gas, the data management system is decentralized due 
to the  existence  of 35  DSO’s.  As from 2018 the market  operator (HROTE) will act as 
centralized system manager for supplier switching data, with the DSO still responsible 
for meter reading, data validation and storage. 

Electricity 

The  DSO  plays  a  central  role  in  the  Croatian  market  model  and  is  responsible  for 
meter reading, data validation and storage of this data. The most relevant master and 
consumption  data,  needed  to  execute  activities  like  switching,  billing  or  moves  is 
stored in a central database, managed by the DSO. For (traditional) meters, the DSO 
obtains a meter reading every 6 months or monthly if the households choose to send 
it on a monthly basis voluntarily. Data is stored for 8 years according to the network 
rules, of which 2 years online and 6 years of archive. 

Exchange  of  data  for  traditional  activities  (switching,  billing)  between  suppliers  and 
the DSO is mainly email-based. For billing, for instance, the meter reading is sent by 
email  to  the  suppliers,  who  send  a  unique  bill  (incl.  grid  and  energy  charges)  to  the 
customers.  Croatia  is  currently  modernizing  this  system  and  recently  bought  SAP 
software. 

Smart meters are deployed only in pilot projects, but it is targeted to have 95% of all 
meters  remotely  read  by  2030.  Currently,  there  is  a  CBA  ongoing  on  smart  meters. 
The  first  mass  deployment  (100.000  meters)  is  foreseen  for  2018  and  will  likely  be 
PLC read G3 smart meters. 

Customers  can  access  their  consumption  data  through  their  bill  or  via  a  DSO  web 
portal using their customer number and password. A third party can access customer 
data  through  a  special  DSO  portal,  if  there’s  a  written  consent  of  the  customer.  For 
households, the data is sent by the DSO to the third party. Data access can be limited 
in time at the customer’s request. 

Gas 

For gas too, the DSO’s play a central role and they are responsible for meter reading, 
data  validation  and  storage  of  the  data.  Meter  reading  takes  place  minimum  twice  a 
year  but  depending  on the  DSO  this  can  be  also  monthly  or  quarter-yearly.  Billing is 
based  on  a  realized  profile.  Customers  receive  one  unique  bill  from  their  supplier. 
Customers can access their validated consumption data through their bill or via a one-

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off request to the DSO or their supplier. Third parties (usually only suppliers when in a 
switching process) have to contact the DSO to obtain customer data. 

Switching  supplier  takes  12  days  on  average  (with  a  legal  limit  of  15  days).  All 
communication  between  stakeholders  is  well  standardized  through  a  platform  of  the 
market  operator  HROTE.  For  billing  purposes  communication  between  supplier  and 
DSO is via email or a special application. 

Hungary (HU) 
In  Hungary,  the  electricity  data  management  system  is  decentralized,  there  is  no 
central data hub in charge of the data management activity. The DSOs are responsible 
for  the  data  collection  and  validation,  and  for  forwarding  it  to  the  supplier.  In  the 
electricity  sector  there  are  six  DSOs  and  three  suppliers,  so  called  universal  service 
providers (USPs) for the households. Almost 100 percent of the households are served 
by  these  USPs.  The  data  management  procedure  is  not  standardized,  it  changes  for 
each  DSO,  although  these  processes  are  required  to  be  in  compliance  with  the 
regulation framework.  

The  traditional  way  for  customers  to  access  their  consumption  data  is  to  consult  the 
monthly  bill.  On  the  other  hand,  some  of  the  DSOs  and  suppliers  provide  access  to 
own  consumption  data  via  their  websites.  Third  parties  can  have  access  to 
consumption  data  only  by  requesting  it  from  the  customer  itself.  Technically,  third 
parties  can  get  access  to  the  customer’s  consumption  data  solely  based  on  the 
customer’s authorization.  

Supplier switching is possible, but customers in reality tend to stay with the USPs who 
provide services at regulated electricity tariff. Accordingly, although the main steps of 
supplier switching are regulated, household customers are in fact not really interested 
in supplier change.   

There is a single billing procedure in place, in most cases customers receive a bill on a 
monthly  basis  provided  by  the  supplier  which  contains  both  the  electricity  and  grid 
charges.  Customers  pay  based  on  estimated  consumption,  reconciliation  to  actuals 
takes place on an annual basis.  

Currently  there  are  only  a  few  smart  meters  installed  in  the  country.  There  is  a  test 
smart meter program in place, coordinated by the DSOs. Based on the results, a cost-
benefit  analysis  is  expected  to  be  carried  out  in  the  near  future.  Due  to  this  early 
phase of the process there is no national target for smart metering coverage in place 
at the moment.   

In  the  gas  market  four  DSOs  are  responsible  for  household  data  collection  and 
validation, and for forwarding it to the supplier. On the supplier side, there is only one 
main  supplier  for  households  as  it  is  the  only  supplier  with  country-vide  universal 
service provider license. Due to this factual situation, the data management system is 
partially centralized, i.e. at supplier level.  

Based  on  their  own  initiative,  the  DSOs  and  the  supplier  (in  cooperation  with  other, 
industrial suppliers) created a common platform for a centralized data exchange for a 
more  effective  data  communication,  reconciliation  and  consumption  settlement.  The 
existence  of  this  platform  shows  a  need  towards  a  more  centralized  and  regulated 
data  management  system.  Today,  there  are  ongoing  discussions  on  this  subject,  the 
final concept is still to be clarified.   

Similarly  to  the  electricity  system,  customers  receive  a  single  bill  from  the  supplier. 
They  pay  based  on  their  average  historical  consumption,  which  amount  is  reconciled 
once in a year as a main rule.  

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Roll-out of smart metering is in a test phase, the number of currently installed smart 
meters is very small. 

Ireland (IE) 
The  Irish  electricity  market  has  been  going  through  a  process  of  liberalisation  since 
1998.  This  liberalization  has  happened  in  phases  with  sectors  of  the  market  being 
progressively  opened  for  competition.  The  domestic  market  has  been  open  to 
competition since 2005. 

Currently, smart meters have been  only deployed in a test phase. A  first generation, 
MV90 (Itron) has been remotely collecting interval data since 2002, but only for large 
customers.  Also,  a  number  of  smart  metering  trials  (3  phases)  have  taken  place 
between  2009-2011  for  ~10,000  customers.  As  a  first  step  in  the  large  scale 
deployment,  it  is  planned  to  roll  out  250,000  smart  electricity  meters  between  mid-
2019  and  end-2020.  The  remaining  2.2  million  meters  are  targeted  for  installation 
over the next 4 years (2021-2024), with the DSO being the owner of the smart meter. 
The  final  procurement  of  the  smart  meters  is  expected  in  2018.  The  meters  will  be 
foreseen to satisfy the 10 common minimum functionalities as required by the EC. 

The  DSO  is  responsible  for  the  customer  data  management.  This  is  a  centralized 
system by default, as after the unbundling a single DSO (ESB Networks) was created. 
There is no evolution foreseen towards more decentralization.  The Meter Registration 
System  Operator  (MRSO)  has  been  set  up  as  a  “ringfenced”  function  within  ESB 
Networks  being  responsible 
the 
processing/aggregation  and  distribution  of  meter  data.  Hence,  the  DSO  occupies  a 
central role in the Irish electricity system, being responsible for data reading as well as 
validation  and  storage.  It  takes  24-48h  to  read,  validate  and  store  customer  data, 
which is then stored for 7 years with a monthly granularity.  

the  Change  of  Supplier  process  and 

for 

The  customer  can  access  his/her  (validated)  historic  consumption  data  only  through 
directly  contacting  either  the  supplier  or  the  DSO.  As  no  smart  meters  are  installed 
yet, real-time consumption can only be read on the meter display itself. A third party 
can  only  access  the  customers’  consumption  data  by  sending  a  request  to  the  MRSO 
who will not release any data without customer authorisation. 

The  MRSO  is  also  responsible  for  the  supplier  switching  process  and  sending  data  to 
the suppliers for bill settlement. Irish customers then receive a unique bill from their 
supplier.  Switching  supplier  requires  11  interactions  between  the  stakeholders  and 
takes  on  average  5  days.  The  communication  format  used  between  the  stakeholders 
relies  on  a  national-specific  format.  In  2016,  327  000  customers  switched  their 
supplier. 

Italy (IT) 
The  data  management  model  in  Italy  is  in  transformation.  The  current  model  is 
partially  centralized  and  follows  procedures  standardized  at  national  level.  A  third 
party  (Acquirente  Unico,  a  public  entity)  manages  the  central  platform  called  SII 
(Integrated  Information  System),  introduced  to  simplify  communications  among  the 
different operators,  stepping from a "n" to "n" communication system to a "1" to "n" 
communication  system.  SII  is  a  central  hub  for  the  main  technical information  about 
the point of delivery (POD) and customers personal data.  

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Figure 8 The current SII data management model for switching processes 

SOURCE: CEER 

SII is currently responsible for the technical management  of the switching. However, 
the data management system is on progress towards a further centralization. The next 
evolution,  starting  from  February  2018,  foresees  the  SII  as  the  central  platform  also 
for  metering  data:  DSO  will  send  validated  meter  readings  to  suppliers  only  through 
the  SII  so  suppliers  will  have  to  interact  only  with  the  central  platform.).  DSOs  then 
are and will remain in the future responsible for metering, from the collection, to the 
validation  and  storage  of  the  consumption  data  to  the  transmission  of  data  to 
suppliers through to the SII.  

Figure 9: Future consumption data flow with SII as centralized platform for consumption 
data and smart meters 2G 

SOURCE: AEEGSI 

Also,  the  SII  stores  data  files  received  by  the  DSO,  to  make  them  available  to 
suppliers but, as of today, SII doesn't control data quality.  

With  1G  (first  generation)  smart  metering  system,  data  are  delivered  per  time  band 
monthly  to  SII  and  retailers  with  an  average  rate  end-to  end  rate  of  95%.  With  2G 
(second  generation)  smart  metering  system,  data  related  to  load  curves  will  be 
delivered daily to SII and retailers with an average performance rate of 95% within 24 
hours  and  97%  within  96  hours.  Starting  from  February  2018,  all  of  these  data  (1G 
and 2G) will be delivered to SII and SII will make them available to retailers.  

As  regards  the  security  of  the  data  flow,  in  the  1G  smart  metering  systems  in  the 
meter  to  concentrator  segment  data  are  authenticated  using  an  algorithm;  from 

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concentrator  to  central  system,  a  mutual  authentication  (through  password) 
mechanism is adopted. From the central system to SII/Retailers data are sent through 
a  standardized  M2M  flows.  2G  smart  metering  system  will  adopt  authentication  and 
encryption  techniques  in  the  different  segments  of  the  communication  chain. 
Advanced  Encryption  Standard  with  128-bit  keys  is  adopted  to  secure  meter  to 
concentrator  and  meter  to  in-home  devices  (chain  2)  communication,  according  to 
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) standards; concentrator to DSO 
database  communication  takes  place  in  secured  transport  sessions  adopting  IP  over 
telecommunication public networks (e.g. GPRS 3G/4G). 

Once the transmission is completed, the metering data reach the  central system and 
are  kept  in  a  secure  environment  to  ensure  operational  continuity  and  security  of 
information, in accordance with the ISO / IEC 27017 guidelines published in 2015 by 
the International Organization for Standardization, which - together with the ISO / IEC 
27018 standard - is the technical standard issued by the ISO with specific reference to 
the  security  controls  of  information  applicable  to  the  provision  and  use  of  cloud 
computing services. 

Market participants should respect standardized rules and format set at national level 
by  the  Regulator.  No  specific  additional  contribution  can  be  brought  by  market 
operators  

Given the current architecture of the data management system, consumption data are 
stored in the DSO database, in the SII (the SII stores data files sent by the DSO but, 
as of today, the SII doesn't control data quality), in the smart meters and eventually 
in  post-meter  devices.  Suppliers  are  used  to  store  data  too.  DSO’s  database  is 
required  to  store  5  years  of  consumption  data.  As  for  the  required  granularity  a 
distinction  is  necessary.  For  customers  equipped  with  1G  smart  meter,  the  data  are 
stored  with  a  granularity  of  monthly  consumption  data  clustered  per  time  band.  For 
customers  equipped  with  2G  smart  meter  the  data  are  stored  every  day  with  a 
granularity of 15', keeping also the classification of time band. The granularity in the 
supplier’s  database  depends  on  the  type  of  customer:  for  small  customers  (with 
contractual  power  less  or  equal  to  55  kW)  monthly  readings  divided  per  time  bands 
are required.  

A distinction has to be made for the minimum requirements of the data stored by the 
smart meter. 1G Smart Meters (first generation installed) store the last 36 days of 15' 
minutes  consumption  and  the  total  consumption  per  time  bands  of  the  previous 
month;  while  2G  Smart  Meters  (second  generation)  store  the  last  38  days  of  15' 
minutes  consumption  and  the  total  consumption  per  time  bands  of  the  previous  6 
months. Regarding the granularity of the  readings, from a technical point of view 1G 
smart meters record 15 minutes granularity readings, but for billing purposes 15 min 
readings  are  currently  delivered  to  retailers  only  for  MV  and  LV  customers  with 
contracted  power  higher  than  55kW,  while  for  LV  clients  with  a  contractual  power 
lower  than  55  kW  three  “time  bands  clustered”  readings  (according  to  time  of  use 
bands  pre-defined  by  the  NRA)  are  used.  Starting  from  February  2018,  15  min 
readings  metering  data  and  monthly  readings  will  be  sent  to  SII  (that  becomes  the 
sole interface with the  DSOs) for all customers. Finally, post-meter devices can have 
data storage among their functionalities. Granularity and history depend on the device 
(so it is up to the commercial initiative).  

The consumer can access historical validated data on the bill and through specific one-
off  request.  Customers  of  the  main  DSO  have  also  access  to  their  own  metering 
validated  data  via  a  secured  web  portal;  however,  this  access  is  provided  as  a 
voluntary initiative and it is not mandatory. Currently the customer has not access to 
the  central  data  hub  web  portal,  but  the  Italian  legislation  and  the  Italian  NRA 
foresees the possibility to allow customers to have access to their historic consumption 

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data on the SII. In order to achieve this, specific regulatory interventions have to be 
put in place.  

Non-validated  real-time  consumption  data  are  instead  accessible  to  the  customer 
through several channels: the smart meter display, the in-home display (H1 interface) 
connected  to  it  in  the  case  of  pilot  projects,  the  smart  meter  gateway  (P1  port). 
Historic  non-validated  consumption  data  are  instead  accessible  only  on  the  smart 
meter  display  and  eventually  through  a  post-meter  device  (it  depends  on  how  this 
device  is  designed).  The  Smart  Meter  Gateway  can  collect  and  store  Near  Real  Time 
non-validated data but cannot request the smart meter to provide the historical data 
registered on board.  

To date, only the supplier  can access the SII.  There is no specific regulation on third 
party access to customers’ data yet. Data Privacy rules are in place.  Actual regulation 
hence  does  not  discipline  access  to  customer  validated  data  by  third  parties.  If  the 
customer can access his validated data e.g. via a web portal and in this situation, he 
can delegate a third party. A third party can access customers consumption data only 
with  explicit  consent  of  the  customer  itself.  This  is  how  he  has  control  on  who  has 
access to his data Who acts as the data controller or processor is also accountable for 
managing customer consent (so the supplier or the service provider).  

There  are  several  initiatives  at  the  commercial  level,  to  provide  clients  with  services 
and  smart  devices  able  to  improve  their  energy  footprint.  Without  giving  an 
exhaustive list, some initiatives are below mentioned:  

  Energy Control by Edison: a sensor applied to the meter sends non-validated 
real-time information about in-house consumption. The service allows to control 
consumption in real-time, compare private consumption with the one of an average 
household with the same characteristics, set target and alert messages related to a 
particular threshold.  

  E-good life by ENEL Energia: it’s a kit that enables the monitoring of (non-

validated) real time consumption data and a smart management of the connected 
home devices (smart plug; smart appliances; motion sensors; …). Everything can be 
controlled and managed also outside home thanks to a dedicated app. The kit offers 
a number of functionalities including a system of alerts (e.g. if the customer is 
exceeding his power threshold). 

Eventually the third party could access validated and non-validated data directly from 
the  customer  and  just  non-validated  data  from  the  smart  meter  gateway  or  post-
meter device under customer’s consent.  

The  switching  process  in  the  electricity  sector  is  currently  managed  by  the  SII 
according  to  national  standardized  procedures.  DSOs  and  suppliers  have  a  tailored 
access  to  it,  restricted  to  their  customers  after  having  gone  through  an  accreditation 
process. The new supplier has access to historical consumption data (last 12 months) 
and  to  consumption  data  (switching  meter  reading)  related  to  the  POD  of  his  client, 
with a different granularity depending on the contractual power.  

The  switching  process  occurs  in  three  weeks  if  the  switching  request  is  sent  by  the 
10th day of the month M-1, it takes effect on the first day of the following month M. 
With the roll-out of the 2G smart meters, it is possible that some further adaptations 
to  the  switching  process  will  be  assessed  (e.g.  the  reduction  of  the  timing  of  the 
switching  process).    During  the  last  year  (2016)  10.1%  out  of  all  the  PODs  in  the 
country  (so  both  domestic  and  non-domestic  clients)  have  switched  supplier.  The 
future switching process will remain centralized and managed by the SII. 

The  customer receives  a single bill from his supplier, containing also the part related 
to  transmission  and  distribution  tariff.  He  pays  for  the  energy  really  consumed  or  on 
an estimation based on his historical consumption profile. In the regulated market, the 

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billing  frequency  depends  on  the  type  of  customer.  The  bill  is  paid  monthly  for  low 
voltage  non-household  clients  with  contractual  power  above  16.5  kW,  every  two 
months for non-households with contractual power below 16.5  kW.   Suppliers  on the 
free  market  bill  at  different  intervals.  The  DSO  sends  metering  validated  data  every 
month. Statistics on incorrect billing are not available as the Regulator has introduced 
the monitoring starting from 2017.  

The data exchange for both billing and switching occurs and will occur using a national 
specific  communication  standard  based  on  XML  (CSV  can  be  used  as  XML  is  not  yet 
mandatory). 

Italy is one of the first Countries in Europe having completed the smart meters rolled 
out  (first  generation  -  1G).  The  deployment  was  voluntary  until  2006.  The  Italian 
Electricity Regulatory Authority (AEEGSI) has then provided a mandatory schedule for 
all DSOs for the period 2007-2011: the roll-out of the 1st generation of smart meters 
has been completed in 2011. As of today, the coverage is larger than 98 percent.  

The very first operative roll-out of the smart meter 2G (second generation, also known 
as “Open Meter”), planned by e-Distribuzione (Enel Group), has been approved by the 
Italian  NRA  (AEEGSI)  in  April  2017;  the  Authority  has  not  defined  a  mandatory 
schedule for all the Italian DSOs yet. According to the approved plan, e-Distribuzione 
will substitute more than 80% of its meters by 2022, more than 95% by 2030. As of 
October 2017, more than 1.5 million of 2G meters are already in place. The ownership 
of the smart meters is and will be kept by the DSOs. 

The 2nd generation of smart meter satisfies all the 10 common minimum functionalities 
for  smart  metering  systems  required  by  the  EC  with  the  Recommendation 
2012/148/EU. For non-validated data they measure instantaneous consumption, while 
for  validated  data  they  record  load  curves  with  15  minutes  granularity.  It  is  not 
possible to change the metering interval because the metering interval of these smart 
meters  is  already  set  by  the  MID  European  Directive  at  15  minutes.  Further,  smart 
meters  2G  will  enable  pre-payment  functionalities,  but  regulation  related  to  pre-
payment has not been issued yet. It is possible to configure the metering system at a 
distance  and  to  carry  out  software  upgrades  remotely.  A  single  communication 
standard  is  used  to  send  data  from  the  P1  port.  Smart  meters  2G  support  indeed  a 
dedicated communication channel known as Chain 2 towards the home area network, 
based  on  a  new  PLC  C-band  open  communication  protocol.  A  P4  interface  is  not 
foreseen in the Italian regulation. 

Gas sector 

The  current  data  exchange  model  is  standardized  at  the  national  level  and 
decentralized  for  both  switching  and  consumption  data,  the  DSO  is  in  charge  of 
metering,  storage,  validation  (performed  in  3  days  after  the  reading),  switching 
operations and communication of consumption data to the supplier. Despite this, also 
the gas sector is moving towards centralization.  

A plan for the roll-out of gas smart meter is in place in Italy, but, to date, regulation 
does not oblige DSOs to take tele-metering.  

Consumption data are stored in the DSO database for settlement purposes: at least 5 
years  of  data  must  be  stored  with  monthly  granularity,  if  available,  or  calculated  as 
load  profiling.  Suppliers  are  used  to  store  data  too.  When  centralization  will  be 
implemented the SII will store data sent by the DSO.  

The  client’s  contact  point  for  changing  supplier  and  billing  communications  is  the 
supplier,  the  supplier’s  contact  point  is  the  DSO.  The  customer  can  access  validated 
consumption data only on the bill.  The Italian legislation and the Italian NRA foresees 

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in  the  future  the  possibility  to  allow  customers  access  to  their  historic  consumption 
data on the SII. In order to achieve this, specific regulatory interventions have to be 
put in place. 

It  is  expected  to  align  the  gas  sector  to  the  electric  one  in  terms  of  the  role  of  the 
Sistema  Informativo  Integrato  for  both  processes,  switching  and  metering  data 
communication flows. As of today, the evolution towards centralization is expected in 
2018.  

The communication architecture can be both be: 

  Point-to-Point generally using the public telecommunication channel 

  Point-Multipoint: the data is sent from the smart meter to the concentrator using a 

169 MHz band frequency channel 

A switching process usually requires 21 days to be implemented. During the last year 
6.6%  of  the  domestic  and  non-domestic  PdR  (Punti  di  Riconsegna,  point  of  delivery) 
have switched their supplier. The switching process in on the way to be centralized as 
already done for the electricity sector.  

The  customer receives  a single bill from his supplier, cointaning also the part related 
to  transmission  and  distribution  tariff.  In  case  a  smart  meter  has  been  already 
installed  (and  remote  -  reading  is  active),  he  pays  every  month  for  his  effectively 
consumed  energy  based  on  his  realized  profile.  Otherwise  he  pays  at  least  every  4 
months in case his consumption is below 500 Smc/y, every 2 months if consumption is 
greater than 500 Smc/y but below 5000 Smc/y,  every month for  consumption above 
5000  Smc/y.  Statistics  on  incorrect  billing  are  not  available  as  the  Regulator  has 
introduced monitoring from 2017.  

The data exchange for both billing and switching occurs and will occur using a national 
specific  communication standard  based  on  XML  (CSV  can  also  be  used  as  XML  is  not 
yet mandatory). 

The  roll-out  of  smart  meter  for  gas  supply  has  been  launched  by  the  AEEGSI  and  is 
ongoing.  The  roll-out  is  expected  to  cover  100%  of  big  and  medium  customers  and 
approximately  40-50%  of  the  total  PDRs  (Punto  di  Riconsegna)  dedicated  to  small 
customers  by  the  end  of  2018.  This  percentage  is  differentiated  on  the  basis  of  the 
DSO’s  size  and  varies  between  8%,  33%  and  50%.  Data  storage  is  included  among 
the  functionalities  offered  by  these  devices.  As  of  today,  daily  granularity  for  G4/G6 
categories is included among the technical functionalities as set by the Regulator.  

References 

  AEEGSI, Delibera 413/2015/E/eel, August 2015: Chiusura dell’indagine conoscitiva 

relativa all’erogazione del servizio di misura dell’energia elettrica 

   

http://www.autorita.energia.it/it/docs/15/413-15.htm  

  AEEGSI, Delibera 292/06, July 2010: Direttive per l'installazione di misuratori 

elettronici di energia elettrica predisposti per la telegestione per i punti di prelievo in 
bassa tensione 

  http://www.autorita.energia.it/it/docs/06/292-06.htm 

  AEEGSI, Smart metering di seconda generazione, Le novità della regolazione, 

January 2017 

   

http://www.autorita.energia.it/allegati/elettricita/170111smartmet.pdf 

March 2018  I  94 

 
 
 
 
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  Gazzetta Ufficiale, D. Lgs. 102/2014, Attuazione della direttiva 2012/27/UE 

sull'efficienza energetica, che modifica le direttive 2009/125/CE e 2010/30/UE e 
abroga le direttive 2004/8/CE e 2006/32/CE 

  http://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2014/07/18/14G00113/sg  

  AEEGSI, Delibera 87/2016/R/eel: Specifiche funzionali abilitanti i misuratori 

intelligenti in bassa tensione e performance dei relativi sistemi di smart metering di 
seconda generazione (2G) nel settore elettrico, ai sensi del Decreto legislativo 4 
luglio 2014, n. 102 

  http://www.autorita.energia.it/it/docs/16/087-16.htm  

  AEEGSI, Delibera 646/2016/R/eel, Sistemi di smart metering di seconda 

generazione (2G): riconoscimento dei costi per la misura dell’energia elettrica in 
bassa tensione e disposizioni in materia di messa in servizio. Modifiche al TIME 

  http://www.autorita.energia.it/it/docs/16/646-16.htm  

  Delibera 222/2017/R/eel: Sistemi di smart metering di seconda generazione (2G): 

decisione sul piano di messa in servizio e sulla richiesta di ammissione al 
riconoscimento degli investimenti in regime specifico di e-distribuzione S.p.a. 

  http://www.autorita.energia.it/it/docs/17/222-17.htm  

Lithuania (LT) 
In Lithuania, as a consequence of the differences between the electricity and the gas 
market  structure,  the  data  collection  and  management  system  is  organized  in  a 
different way.  

In  the  electricity  market,  the  DSOs  are  responsible  for  data  collection  and 
management. The DSOs forward the consumption data to the  corresponding supplier 
via a special webpage. There are three DSOs  responsible for households. However in 
reality  one  large  DSO  serves  almost  100  percent  of  the  households,  which  is  at  the 
same  time  also  the  public  electricity  supplier.  As  a  result,  the  data  collection  and 
management  is  de-facto  centralised.  The  consumption  data  has  mainly  monthly 
granularity and stored by the DSO. Customers can have access to their historical data 
on the DSO web portal. Meanwhile third parties can have access to consumption data 
only when direct consensus from consumer is received. After that, the third party can 
use  the  DSO`s  information  sharing  portal  or  web  service  to  access  the  customers’ 
consumption data.     

The consumption data collection method follows a national standard on both markets. 
The  customers  are  entitled  to  read  their  own  consumption  data  themselves,  and 
register  it  electronically  on  the  website  of  the  DSO  in  case  of  electricity  or  the 
webpage of the supplier for gas. It is also possible to register it manually in a special 
booklet  at  multiple  customer  points  all  over  the  country.  All  data  is  considered 
validated  after  registration.  A  meter  control  and  consumption  data  check  is  executed 
on a yearly basis, but this concerns only a part of the households.  

The  system  is  evolving  towards  a  centralised  and  standardised  data  management 
system. A national plan aims to create a central data hub dedicated to electricity and 
gas  consumption  data  collection  and  data  management.  Today  this  project  is  in  an 
initiation phase, it is expected to be completed by 2024. 

The  electricity  customers  have  several  payment  methods:  self-service  website, 
electronic invoice, and  settlement booklet. Most of the consumers don’t receive a bill 
on their consumption, although such option exists. Usually, the payment is realized at 

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the time when the customer  registers its monthly consumption. However, consumers 
can  also  sign  an  average  monthly  payments  agreement  with  DSO.  In  such  case, 
consumer  receive  an  electronic  invoice  on  monthly  basis,  based  on  average 
consumption.  DSO  checks  the  consumers’  consumption  data  once  a  year  and  correct 
the  average  calculation.  Under  this  option,  the  consumers  do  not  need  to  read 
consumption data themselves.  

In the gas market all consumers have to choose an independent gas supplier, while in 
the  electricity  market,  the  household  customers  have  the  right  to  choose  an 
independent  electricity  supplier  or  to  buy  electricity  from  the  public  supplier  on  a 
regulated  price  tariff.    Most  customers  stay  with  a  regulated  energy  price.  In  such 
case, the customer has a possibility to choose between a single time, dual (day-night) 
time and quadruple35 (four time zones) time regulated price tariff.  

There  is  a  standard  way  for  supplier  switching  procedure  on  both  gas  and  electricity 
markets. Until now, only a very limited number of customers have switched supplier.  

The  smart  metering  deployment  is  in  a  test  phase  on  both  markets.  Smart  meters 
used in the pilot project send data on an hourly granularity to the DSOs. They are not 
equipped  with  a  communication  protocol  with  home  applications.  The  metered  data 
can  be  consulted  on  the  DSO  website  with  a  one  day  delay.  The  smart  meter  rollout 
project  is  in  the  initiation  phase.  It  is  planned  to  finish  rollout  (100%  smart  meters 
installed for main DSO consumers) by 2024. 

On the gas market, suppliers are the responsible to collect the consumption data and 
to  forward  it  to  the  DSOs  who  are  responsible  for  storing  it.  The  system  is 
decentralised: today there are five DSOs and eleven suppliers, but two main suppliers 
covering  98%  of  the  market.  There  is  no  required  standard  in  the  data 
communication.  Customers  have  access  to  their  historical  data  on  the  suppliers` 
website.  Third  party  access  to  data  via  the  webpage  is  possible.  The  customers  give 
their permission when signing a contract with a new supplier. 

Luxembourg (LU) 
The Luxembourg power and gas markets have been liberalized as of 2007. Customers 
can  be  divided  into  two  categories:  integrated  and  non-integrated  supply  customers. 
Integrated  supply  customers  receive  a  unique  bill,  while  non-integrated  supply 
customers get separate bills for energy costs and grid charges. Residential customers 
are in all cases integrated customers. 

Smart  meters  (Smarty)  for  electricity  and  gas  are  being  installed  by  the  DSOs  as  of 
2016.  They  respect  all  10  common  minimum  functionalities  for  smart  metering 
systems  recommended  by  the  EC  (Recommendation  2012/148/EU).  Today  (June 
2017), about 10 percent of the connection points are equipped with a smart meter. By 
the end of 2019, a coverage rate of 90 (gas) and 95 percent (electricity) is targeted. 
Smart meters are the property of the DSOs. 

The  data  management  system,  both  for  electricity  and  gas,  is  organized  mainly 
decentrally. The seven electricity and gas DSOs are responsible for consumption data 
reading and validation. For collecting and validating data from smart meters, all DSOs 
came  together  to  set  up  a  central  system  that  they  manage  commonly  through  an 
economic  interest  group  (Luxmetering  GIE).  The  electricity  smart  meters  bundle 
electricity and gas (and potentially water and heat) measurement data and sends it in 
anonymised form to the Luxmetering central system on a daily basis. Communication 
occurs via PLC to concentrators located in local transformer stations and via GPRS or 

35 If consumer has a smart meter 

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fibre from the concentrator to the central system. Luxmetering sends the data to DSO, 
who match the anonymised data with customer data and forward it to suppliers. 

Suppliers  (DSOs)  are  required  by  the  ILR36  Regulation  E16/30  to  store  consumption 
data for integrated (non-integrated) supply customers for up to 50 months. They are 
allowed to keep data for up to 15 years. Data from the smart meter is collected once 
day (although this could be increased technically). The smart meter can store data for 
the last 3 months (15 minutes granularity), but there is no legal obligation. 

For communication between DSOs and suppliers, end-to-end authentication is ensured 
by  the  AS2  protocol.  Messages  for  implementing  a  supplier  switch  are  based  on 
EDIFACT for electricity and on CSV for gas. Billing is still based on  a national-specific 
format  (paper  bills),  but  will  be  EDIFACT-based  in  the  future  (for  electricity).  As  the 
new  market  communication  model  only  went  live  on  1  October  2017,  performance 
indicators  illustrating  the  overall  efficiency  of  the  data  management  system  are  not 
yet available, but the system is constantly improved by the DSO in collaboration with 
all  concerned  stakeholders.  Technical  adaptations  to  the  market  communication 
process  are  implemented  after  consultation  with  stakeholders  through  an  online 
forum, while the rules  of the market communication model are  fixed  and adapted by 
the Regulator after extensive public consultation.    

Integrated  supply  customers  are  entitled  to  access  to  the  validated  data  stored  via 
their  supplier.  In  practice,  this  access  could  be  improved,  as  it  is  currently  generally 
only  possible  via  the  bill  (for  the  billing  period)  and  via  a  one-off  request  to  their 
suppliers.  Some  suppliers  offer  web  portals  providing  access,  but  they  are  not 
compulsory.  Third  parties  can  access  the  validated  data  once,  by  means  of  a  one-off 
request  to  the  supplier  and  only  with  the  explicit  consent  given  by  the  customer  (a 
form  or  via  the  web  portal  of  the  supplier).  Access  to  real-time  data  and  associated 
services  are  under  development.  The  customer  can  access  either  through  a  device 
connected to the P1 port of the smart meter (10 second non validated data) or post-
meter devices connected with a traditional (digital or analogue) meter. Currently, the 
smart meter foresees one single P1 plug-in for providing third parties access to it. To 
activate the P1 port, there is a security key that has to be provided by the DSO. 

Latvia (LV) 
In  Latvia  the  electricity  market  is  fully  liberalized  as  of  2015.  The  gas  market  is 
currently  undergoing  unbundling  procedures,  which  started  in  2017.  The  regulation 
aims to mimic the same system as used in electricity market.  

There  are  decentralized  data  collection  and  management  systems  in  place  for  both 
electricity  and  gas  markets.  DSOs  are  responsible  for  data  collection  and  validation. 
However, both markets de-facto work as a centralized one, as both are dominated by 
one DSO. In the electricity market, one single DSO owns 99% of the market, while on 
the  gas  market  there  is  one  single  DSO  today.  There  is  no  regulated  standardization 
for  collection  and  management  process.  However,  due  to  the  high  concentration,  in 
practice  there  is  one  main  type  of  procedure  in  place.  There  is  an  intention  towards 
standardization of the small DSOs’ procedure.    

In both markets, the supplier receives the validated consumption data from the DSO. 
The customers give permission to the supplier to interact with the DSO in their name 
when signing the service contract with the supplier. A third party can have access to 
the consumption data provided the customer gives its approval. In case of electricity, 
customers give its approval on the DSO website. In case of gas, it happens in a paper 

36 Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation 

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format.  The  DSO  is  obliged  to  share  the  data,  however  the  granularity  of  the  shared 
data and the form of sharing is not detailed in regulation.   

Consumers  with  smart  meters  can  follow  their  own  consumption  on  the  DSO`s 
website, with a one day lag. Those customers who do not have a smart meter yet can 
ask  the  supplier  for  historical  consumption  data,  on  an  extra  cost.  The  DSO  has  no 
specific  regulatory  obligation  about  the  communication  format  or  consumption  data 
granularity towards the customers. 

In both markets there is a single billing system in place. The bill includes the energy 
and grid charges. The most often used way is to pay a flat price for a monthly average 
consumption,  however  there  is  a  possibility  to  choose  spot  price  in  in  case  for 
electricity.  The  invoice  and  the  realized  consumption  is  reconciled  on  a  yearly  basis. 
Those  one,  who  have  smart  meter  they  pay  after  the  realized  consumption.  Via  the 
smart meters the DSO collects hourly data, which is stored for three years.  

Supplier switching process in both electricity and gas market has to be realized by law 
in 15 days.  

The smart meters are owned by the DSO, the customers don’t have to pay additional 
fee  for  installation  or  maintenance  (costs  are  integrated  in  the  grid  charges).    The 
current  smart  metering  coverage  in  the  electricity  market  is  30  percent.  The  major 
DSO has its own ambition to reach full coverage by 2022. In the gas market the smart 
meter spill-of is in a very early stage.  

Netherlands (NL) 
The  Dutch  retail  market  was  liberalized  in  2004.  Issues  related  to  data  treatment 
caused  problems  for  the  billing  (delays,  erroneous  information)  and  for  the  supplier 
switching. This led to a major reform of the system in 201337.  

After a positive cost benefit analysis in 2010, the Netherlands have opted for a smart 
meter rollout for electricity and gas for household consumers and SME’s. By 2020, it is 
projected  that  more  than  80  percent  of  the  consumers  will  have  a  smart  meter. The 
replacement of the traditional meter by a smart meter is organized by the DSOs.38 . In 
principle, the roll-out is mandatory. However, one can opt-out, either by refusing the 
installation  of  the  smart  meter,  or  by  choosing  the  “administrative  off”  setting  of  the 
installed smart meter. 

Energy  suppliers  occupy  a  central  role  in  the  Dutch  market  model.  They  are 
responsible  for  collecting,  validating  and  computing  meter  data  of  household 
consumers  and  SME’s.  The  suppliers  assign  this  task  to  certified  metering 
companies. Suppliers  are  the  main  contact  towards  the  customer.  They  send  the 
energy  bill  to  the  customer  and  initiate  the  supplier  switching  processes,  they 
interacting with the DSO via the centralized database. 

The  most  relevant  master  and  consumption  data,  needed  to  execute  activities  like 
switching,  billing  or  moves  is  stored  in  a  central  database,  managed  by  the  DSOs.39 
For  (traditional)  meters  the  DSO  obtains  a  meter  reading  at  least  once  a  year.  In  case  of  a  smart 
meter,  data  is  read  via  the  P3  ones  every  two  months  and  if  the  situation  changes 
(e.g.  switch  to  another  supplier  or  move).  Consumption  data is  typically  stored  for  5 
years  (at  least  yearly  data,  2-monthly  data  in  case  of  smart  meters)  in  the  central 
database.  Data  is  also  stored  in  the  smart  meter  (15  minutes  data  for  maximum  30 
days, or 2-monthly data for a longer history).  

37 “Stroomopwaarts” 
38 The consumer does not have to pay for the replacement12, while he continues to pay 
a rental fee at the same level as for the traditional meter 
39 The ICT infrastructure is set up by EDSN (Energie Data Services Nederland). 

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Neither  the  customer  nor  third  parties  (except  the  customer’s  current  supplier  of 
course)  have  direct  access  to  the  central  database.  Customers  can  access  their 
historical  and  validated  data  only  via  a  one-off  request  to  their  DSO  or  supplier.  Via 
the P1, they  can access real-time data and the data stored in the smart meter (both 
non-validated).  Note  that  the  P1  is  not  provided  directly  by  the  DSO  with  the  smart 
meter,  but  it  is  installed  by  the  supplier.  There  are  currently  discussions  about 
compulsory DSO websites, giving customers access to consumption data stored in the 
central database. A third party can access the data stored in the smart meter only, via 
a request through the  P4 (communication central database  – third party) and the P3 
(communication  customer  –  central  database).  The  third  party  has  thus  access  to  a 
limited history only. 

In  principle,  a  third  party  needs  the  customer’s  consent  to  access  consumption  data. 
For  the  data  shared  via  the  P1,  this  is  straightforward,  given  that  access  occurs 
through  a  plug-in  device.  Currently,  there  is  generally  only  one  single  connection 
possible at the same time and P1 data formats are not always standardized.  

Dutch  DSO’s  have  a  shared  vision  on  energy  data.  While  realtime  energy  data  can 
show  us  detailed  information  on  lifestyles,  the  consumer  has  his  right  to  his  own 
privacy. Therefore DSO’s will take responsibility in ensuring a secure access exchange 
of  data  and  enabling  the  consumer  to  manage  who  has  access  to  his  smart  meter 
data. 

An  ecosystem  which  gives  consumers  control  over  their  energy  data  will  make  this 
possible.  Via  a  personal  interface  consumers  can  give  third  party  service  providers 
access  to  their  smart  meter  data.  The  ecosystem  only  provides  authorization  and  a 
data  infrastructure  direct  from  sensor  to  service  provider.  By  offering  this 
infrastructure  DSO’s  create  a  level  field  for  third  party  service  providers.  Creating 
access to smart meter data in a non-discriminatory way will stimulate new, innovative 
products and services that match consumer’s needs.  

In the Netherlands, there are many services and applications (52 in  2017) that work 
with meter data from the smart meter (either through P4 or P1). They range from free 
and  paid  web  based  consumption  feedback  services  to  in  house  devices  which  show 
real time consumption. 

Poland (PL) 
Collection and management of electricity consumption data is decentralised in Poland. 
The DSOs are the responsible parties for collecting and storing the data, and also for 
communicating it towards the suppliers. 

There are five main DSOs in the country, which are at the same time also  electricity 
providers  for  the  majority  of  polish  households  at  a  regulated  retail  price.  A  smaller 
amount  of  household  customers  have  switched  to  independent  suppliers  that  provide 
electricity  at  an  unregulated  market  price.  All  DSOs  follow  their  own  communication 
model  towards  both  customers  and  suppliers,  fulfilling  obligations  set  by  the 
regulation.  

In  the  future,  the  system  would  evolve  towards  a  centralized  model.  There  is  an 
initiative  to  create  a  data  centre  hub,  which  would  be  responsible  for  consumption 
data  collection.  Under  this  umbrella  the  communication  would  be  unified, 
implementing  the  EDIFACT  standard.   The  DSOs  are  keeping  their  key  role  in  the 
creation of the new data management system, as the data hub project is supposed to 
be realised by a joint venture company of the DSOs. 

Customers can consult their historical consumption data on the bill they receive. They 
also have the possibility to download it from the DSO`s website or from the website of 

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the  independent  supplier,  in  case  the  customer  had  switched  supplier.  Third  parties 
can  have  access  to  data  directly  from  the  DSOs  web  portal  or  through  a  one-off 
request.  The  permission  to  access  data  is  given  by  the  customer  itself,   when  he  or 
she signs the contract with the new supplier. 

Supplier  switching  duration  time  takes  an  average  twenty-one  days.  The  planned 
implementation of the new data hub includes the target to reduce this duration time to 
a maximum fourteen days. 

Customers normally receive a single bill on a monthly basis. Whenever the customer 
has  switched  to  an  independent  supplier  and  the  DSO  is  not  the  energy  supplier 
anymore, the customer receive a separate bill for energy and grid charges.   

The  smart  meter  coverage  in  the  country  is  around  eight  percent.  The  roll-out  is  an 
initiative of the DSOs, who are indeed the owners of the equipment. 

Portugal (PT) 
Portugal has a centralized data management system. This system is a result of a Cost-
Benefit  Analysis  performed  and  its  formats  and  processes  develop  under  regulatory 
processes. The system, called SGL, is managed by the main DSO in the country and is 
meant  to  store  the  energy  consumption  data  from  all  the  DSOs  in  the  Continental 
Portugal.  This  system  gathers  data  from  smart  meters  as  well  as  telemetered  data 
every day. Manual readings are performed on conventional meters at least 4 times per 
year.  For  conventional  meter  without  an  updated  reading  in  the  SGL  in  the  last  24 
hours the consumption is estimated.  

It is expected that the system will remain centralized. In 2015, an analysis was made 
regarding  the  substitution  of  the  SGL  by  a  more  advanced  data  storage  application 
called EDM (Energy Data Management). The main DSO is in the process of developing 
this new system which is expected to be deployed in 2019. 

The daily average of the total  process runtime (from  reading to validated data) is 14 
hours. The DSOs in the Continental Portugal (the main one as well as the other much 
smaller  DSOs)  are  responsible  for  consumption  data  reading,  validation  and  storage. 
Each DSO must also provide its readings to the central data hub which stores the data 
in an easily accessible format. The time required for validation is less than 24 hours 

Consumption  data  is  stored  in  the  DSO  database,  in  the  central  data  hub  and  in  the 
smart  meters.  Different  requirements  are  demanded  in  terms  of  history  and 
granularity: 5 years with a quarter-hour detail is the requirement of the data stored in 
the DSO’s database, 3  years  of history  with the same granularity are  required to the 
consumption data stored in the Central Data Hub, smart meters, if installed, must be 
able to store instead 5 years of consumption data with a daily granularity.  

Customers have access to their own historic validated consumption data through their 
bill,  the  compulsory  DSO  web  portal  and  the  central  data  hub  (who  both  have  to 
provide  also  historic  non-validated  data)  and  the  compulsory  Supplier  web  portal. 
Further,  the  DSO  and  the  supplier  must  be  able  to  provide  the  same  data  if  one-off 
customer request is received. Non-validated historic and real-time consumption data is 
also  available  via  the  meter  display  or  the  In-home  display  connected  to  it  (H1 
interface),  the  same  smart  meter  does  not  allow  to  read  the  data  through  a  smart 
meter gateway though. The compulsory DSO web portal gives also access to real-time 
non-validated data and validated data, while in the supplier web portal only real-time 
validated data is instead available, no access to real-time data is possible through the 
central Data Hub web portal.  

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Once excluded the bill, the smart meter display and the In-home display, a third party 
can  have  access  to  customer  consumption  data  (either  historic,  real-time,  validated 
and  non-validated)  through  the  same  channels  available  to  the  customer.  The  third 
party can access the data only if provided of the customer’s consent, managed by the 
DSO. The customer on his side can also see who has access to his consumption data 
through  a  dedicated  website  managed  by  the  DSO  who  accesses  the  data  directly  in 
the SGL application. There is also a portal associated with the switching process. That 
portal communicates the switching with the SGL. 

Despite the smart meters do not have a full coverage yet, the average switch requires 
just  4  days  to  be  implemented.  The  contact  point is  the  DSO,  who  is  responsible  for 
the necessary data exchange.  

The  uncomplete  smart  meter  deployment  seems  to  affect  the  procedures  currently 
valid  for  billing.  The  bill  is  unique  and  monthly  sent  by  the  supplier.  If  no  remote 
reading values are available, the DSO performs at least four manual meter reading per 
year.  The  customer  either  pays  for  his  effectively  consumed  energy  based  in  those 
readings,  or  in  the  period  not  covered  by  readings,  based  in  an  estimation  of  the 
electrical  energy  consumption  performed  by  the  DSO  (to  be  corrected  after  the  next 
meter  reading  data  is  available).  Estimated  consumption  values  are  based  on  a 
standard  profile.  As  for  smart  meters  deployment,  the  current  target  is  to  install  3 
million  of  smart  meter  by  2020,  reaching  so  approximately  50  percent  of  the 
customers, proceeding with the smart meter installation until 100% of costumers are 
reached. The smart meter installed remains ownership of the DSO.  

There are currently two different generations of smart meters in the country. The first 
one,  belonging  to  phase  1  deployment,  with  35  000  units  installed  covers  0.58%  of 
the  meter  points  in  the  country  is  characterized  for  using  PLC  or  GPRS  as 
communication  channel  for  data  transmission.  The  second  generation  instead  has  a 
national coverage of 18%, serves approximately 1.1 million of customers (as of 2017) 
and  uses  PLC  PRIME  or  GPRS  as  communication  channel.  The  current  and  future 
device are compliant with the 10 common minimum functionalities for smart metering 
systems  set  by  the  EC  through  the  Recommendation  2012/148/EU.  Technically  their 
hardware is specified to allow measures  of current, voltage and energy every minute 
but  the  software  is  currently  configured  to  register  readings  with  15  minutes 
granularity.  

Gas sector 

The Portuguese data management system for the retail market of gas is decentralized. 
Currently no evolution toward centralization is foreseen. The data is  managed by the 
DSO according procedures that are not standardized. The DSO is responsible for data 
reading, validation and storage. Once read, consumption data are validated within the 
first 24 hours and then stored in the DSO’s database where 10 years of historic data 
must be at disposal with a monthly granularity.  

The consumer can have access to his own validated consumption data through his bill, 
using  the  compulsory  supplier  web  portal.  Anyway,  both  the  DSO  and  the  supplier 
must to furnish validated consumption data after a direct explicit request of the client. 
There  are  currently  no  channels  that  allow  the  consumer  to  get  his  own  real-time 
consumption data.  

While the central data hub does not provide access to the customer, a third party can 
have access to it for getting consumer’s validated data. The customer’s consent is an 
essential requirement to get access to the data: the consumer can assign it to a third 
party through a communication with his supplier who is accountable for managing the 
consent on behalf of his client.  

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During  a  switching  the  common  contact  point  for  both  new  and  old  supplier  is  the 
DSO.  Normally  the  average  time  to  implement  a  switch  is  1  day.  Currently  the 
communication  standard  used  is  tailored  for  the  country  needs  but  in  the  future 
EDIFACT/EDIGAS will be used.   

The  customer  pays  every  2  months  for  energy  consumption  based  on  an  estimation 
based on his historic demand. The DSO is responsible of the necessary data exchange 
with the supplier for billing purposes and uses and will use a communication standard 
designed specifically for the country.  

Sweden (SE) 
The  current  data  exchange  model  is  a  nationally  standardized  decentralized  system. 
The data is bilaterally exchanged by the main responsible parties for these activities: 
DSOs and suppliers.  

The data management model is planned to be fully centralized by 2021.  

Currently the DSO is responsible for consumption data reading, validation, storage and 
exchange. The DSO must store 10 years  of  consumption data with a granularity that 
depends on the rated current of the fuse: it is hourly for a rated current greater than 
63 A, monthly otherwise.  Also the  supplier and the responsible for balance is obliged 
to store data. The supplier’s database must satisfy the same requirements in terms of 
consumption  data  stored.  Further,  consumption  data  is  also  stored  in  the  smart 
meters and eventually in the database of a third party appointed by the costumer.  

Accordingly,  the  customer  has  access  to  his  validated  consumption  data  through  the 
compulsory web portal provided by both the DSO and the supplier as well as on his bill 
or  after  a  direct  request  to  either  the  DSO  or  the  supplier.  Real-time  or  almost  real-
time non-validated consumption data is instead accessible on the smart meter display 
or the related in-home display (H1 interface) or contacting the DSO.  New meters will 
provide new opportunities regarding real-time consumption data.  

Only  a  third  party  in  possess  of  the  power  of  attorney  granted  by  the  costumer  can 
access customer’s validated consumption data. A direct contact with the DSO or, more 
unusually, with the client (who can collect the data previously from the  DSO) are the 
two  channels  through  which  the  third  party  can  get  access  of  validated  consumption 
data. The DSO is accountable for managing customer consent and delivers the data to 
the  designated  third  party  following  the  same  method  used  to  provide  data  to  the 
electricity supplier (Ediel Message). In other cases also the Supplier is accountable to 
manage  customer’s  consent.  That  only  after  a  power  of  attorney,  signed  by  the 
customer, has been received.  

The customer has then the right to request that a third party company receive his/her 
validated consumption data from the DSO. This is done with a power of attorney from 
the customer to the third party company who then present it to the DSO. The DSO will 
then  report  the  validated  consumption  data  to  the  third  party  company,  in  the  same 
way and at the same time as to the supplier, until the customer moves or the power 
of  attorney  is  revoked.  The  power  of  attorney  usually  also  include  access  to  the 
customers historical metered data which is supplied by the DSO when the request for 
validated consumption data is initially received from the third party company. 

The  switching  process  for  an  already  existing  customer  takes  maximum  14  days,  in 
this  case  the  overall  process,  when  correctly  performed,  requires  12  steps  including 
confirmation messages and meter values exchanges.  

The customer receives generally two bills: from the DSO and from the supplier unless 
he  is  served  by  a  vertically  integrated  energy  company  (in  that  case  only  one  bill  is 

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sent  to  the  customer  with  both  supplier  and  DSO  information).  Accordingly,  whether 
the  supplier  belongs  to  a  vertically  integrated  company  impacts  also  the  billing 
process.. Otherwise the flow of data to bill the energy consumption follows 3 steps: it 
goes from the meter value supplier to the DSO, from the DSO to the Supplier and then 
finally to the customer. The customer pays for his effectively consumed energy every 
2 months based on his realized profile. Incorrect billing was received in 2016 in 0.35% 
of  all  the  bills  sent  in  the  country.  Within  this  already  very  small  percentage  in  four 
cases out of ten missing or faulty meter values were the reason behind these errors in 
2016 (0.0014% of the total bills: extremely low volumes).  

Data  exchanges  for  both  switching  and  billing  are  performed  using  EDIFACT  as 
communication  standard.  Though  today  this  is  a  decentralized  process  it  is  working 
quite well and is fully automatic. 

As  for  the  smart  meters  deployment  all  Swedish  customers  have  smart  meters  since 
2009.  

Slovenia (SI) 
The  Slovenian  retail  market  was  liberalized  in  2007.  Unbundling  lead  to  the 
establishment  of  the  DSO  (SODO),  which  signed  bilateral  contracts  with  5  regional 
distribution companies that were historically present. Due to this structure, consumer 
data  is  handled  in  a  partially  centralized  way  (at  the  DSO  and  regional  distribution 
companies).  

After  a  positive  Cost-Benefit  Analysis  in  2014,  Slovenia  has  opted  for  a  smart  meter 
roll-out  for  electricity  for  households  and  SME’s.  Currently,  52%  of  small  consumers 
(< 43 kW) and all large customers are already equipped with a smart meter with PLC 
communication (2 generations). By 2025, it is targeted that every customer connected 
to the distribution grid will have one with the DSO being the owner of the meter. 

The DSO occupies a central role in the Slovenian market model and is responsible for 
meter  reading,  data  storage  and  data  validation.  Smart  meters  are  read  once  a 
month,  non-smart  meters  once  a  year.  Customers  can  access  their  historic 
consumption  only  via  their  bill  or  via  a  one-off  request  through  their  supplier,  which 
might be charged depending on the granularity of the data. Some suppliers also have 
a web portal but this is not mandatory. The DSO does not allow customers accessing 
their  smart  meter  data  via  H1/P1  to  avoid  fraud.  Third  parties  (only  suppliers)  need 
written customer consent and have access to data via a DSO web portal. Aggregators 
usually install their own smart meters to follow up on consumption in real time. 

In  2016,  7%  of  household  customers  switched  between  suppliers.  This  switching 
process  has  to  take  place  legally  within  21  days.  The  communication  standard 
between  stakeholders  used  for  switching  supplier  and  billing  currently  relies  on 
exchanging  CSV-files.  In  the  near  future,  this  might  be  more  standardized  to  ebIX 
technology.  

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United Kingdom (UK) 
The British electricity market was liberalized in 1998, following the opening of the gas 
market 2 years before. Suppliers occupy a central role in the UK energy market, being 
responsible  for  data  reading,  validation  and  storage.  Hence,  currently  the  consumer 
data  is  managed  in  a  decentralized  way.  With  the  advent  of  smart  meters,  this  will 
change  to  a  more  centralized  system  with  data  being  transmitted  to  relevant  parties 
by a centralized Data and Communications Company (DCC).  

The  UK  has  targeted  for  all  consumers  to  be  offered  a  smart  meters  by  2020,  with 
suppliers being the owner of the meter. The first generation of smart meters (SMET1) 
started  in  2012/13  .  With  the  introduction  of  a  second  generation  (SMET2),  the  DCC 
has been set up to provide the communications and data transfer for smart metering 
data.  DCC  will  provide  access  to  smart  meter  data  for  its  users  (suppliers,  DNOs, 
energy  service  companies  or  other  third  parties),  subject  to  consumer  consent  (with 
certain exceptions, largely where that data is to be used for regulated purposes). The 
DCC  is  subject  to  the  requirements  of  the  The  Data  Protection  Act  1998  (DPA),  and 
under  its  license,  must  be  a  party  to  the  Smart  Energy  Code  (SEC)  which  details 
specific  data  protection  measures.  DCC  does  not  store,  analyze  or  have  access  to 
consumer data.  

Devices in a Smart Metering System will communicate with each other and the DCC in 
a  message  format  specified  in  the  Great  Britain  Companion  Specification  (GBCS) 
document.  All  outgoing  messages  from  Users  (Service  Requests  and  Pre-Commands) 
will  be  transformed  from  XML  to  GBCS  format.  The  Smart  Metering  technical  and 
security architecture is based on a suite of agreed, open standards, reflecting the UK 
Government  strategy  to  facilitate  the  development  of  third  party  innovative  solutions 
for consumer devices.  These include standards relating to DLMS COSEM, ZSE, ASN.1, 
NSA Suite B cryptography and X.509 related IETF RFCs.  The GBCS does not duplicate 
what  is  laid  out  in  such  standards  but  rather  provides  references  to  them. 
Communication is done through Zigbee. 

For  the  old  meters,  meter  reading  is  performed  by  the  suppliers  (or  their  agents) 
and/or  more  regularly    provided  directly  to  companies  by  consumers.  The  new, 
emerging  system  introduces  remote  meter  reading  through  the  DCC.  Suppliers  or 
other  service  providers  can  become  members  of  the  DCC  and  have  access  to 
consumer  data  if  they  receive  the  necessary  approval  from  the  client.  After  meter 
reading,  customers  receive  a  unique  bill  from  their  supplier  on    the  basis  set  out  in 
their  contract.  Data  validation  and  storage  will  still  take  place  at  the  supplier  level. 
Consumers  can  initiate  switching  either  through  a  new  supplier  or  an  intermediary 
(broker,  website).  Today,  switching  supplier  takes  about  16  days  from  the  day  the 
new  supplier  submits  a  request,  with  a  legal  limit  of  5  weeks.  Ofgem  is  currently 
redesigning  the  switching  process,  with  the  intention  to  move  to  reliable  end  of  next 
working day switching by 2020.  

Customers having a traditional meter can access their data via their energy bill, their 
meter (live reads only) or by contacting their supplier. When a smart meter is installed 
both historic and real-time consumer data can also be retrieved via the H1 interface. 
Following  the  miData  initiative,  suppliers  will  be  obliged  to  have  a  web  portal  where 
customers  and/or  a  third  party  can  access  their  data.  In  the  future,  third  parties  will 
also be able to access data through the DCC, subject to customer consent. After giving 
consent, it is not clear whether the customer can see who has access to his data. 

Participation  of  residential  consumers  to  flexibility  markets  is  allowed.  However,  the 
business of DSM flexibility so far is only developed for large consumers and not yet for 
residential clients. 

The gas market in the UK is organized in a similar way as the electricity market. The 
industry codes for SMETS 2 hence also apply for gas.  

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Final comments 

Data management models 

In line with the requirements set in Annex I.1(h) and Annex I.2 of the 2009 Electricity 
and  Gas  Directives,  CEER  (2015)  “understands  that  there  should  be  a  national 
common  standard  for  data  content,  data  format  and  data  exchange  in  the  retail 
market”40. Also, it recommends MS to “explore the costs and benefits of harmonising 
these standards at a broader geographical area, namely at  regional and/or  European 
level”. 

Whether a data management model relies on single formats and procedures depends 
on the level of granularity considered. Different layers can be distinguished: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Role  models:  Role  models  describe  the  stakeholders  involved  in  the 
data  management  model  and  the  way  they  interact  with  each  other.  Typical 
stakeholders  involved  are  DSOs  and  suppliers,  independent  service  providers 
and  data  exchange  platform  administrators.  Data  management  models  can 
involve the same stakeholders, but the way they interact can be different. 

Communication  standards:  From  a  technological  point  of  view,  the 
main  difference  relates  to  the  communication  standard,  or  the  language,  used 
between stakeholders. There are a few international standards (EDIFACT, CIM), 
but communication standards can also be national-specific. However, even within 
a  same  communication  standard  (EDIFACT,  CIM  or  a  national  one),  it  is  not 
guaranteed that formats and semantic choices are unique at regional or national 
level.  

Policy choices: Differences in data management models can be driven 
by  national-  or  region-specific  energy  or  economic  policy  choices.  Data 
management  differs  according  to  the  existence  of  taxes  and  surcharges  to  be 
considered in the communication protocols between stakeholders. Similarly, data 
management models differ in case of non-standard procedures foreseen in some 
regions or countries, often reflecting regional or national policy preferences (e.g. 
disconnection of a consumer for insolvency is possible in one region/country, but 
not in another region/country). 

It was beyond the scope of  the  current  study  to assess all layers of differences that 
potentially  exist  within  and  between  MS.  Role  models  are  studied  by  identifying  the 
stakeholder(s)  responsible 
for  data  management  (consumption  data  reading, 
validation  and  storage)  and  by  considering  the  way  they  interact  in  standard  billing 
and supplier switching processes (the number of interactions between stakeholders for 
a  standard  billing  and  switching  process  was  considered).  Regarding  communication 
standards, the general communication standard (EDIFACT, CIM or a national-specific) 
were looked at, without considering more detailed differences that may exist. Different 
policy choices were not assessed at all. 

At  national  level,  we  conclude  that  all  MS  have  high-level  standardized 
national procedures implemented.41 However,  it  is likely that not all of them 

40 CEER (2015), p.25 
41 In principle and based on the information received, Latvia has a decentralized data 
management system without standardization of procedures across the country. On the 
other hand, Latvia has one dominant DSO. De facto, one could argue that procedures 

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are fully standardized. Regional differences were not studied but there is anecdotal 
evidence  that  they  matter.  For  instance,  ensuring  national  standards  can  be  more 
challenging if energy policy is a regional competence.42 Hence, we cannot exclude that 
market participants face barriers even within a MS.  

At  EU  level,  we  conclude  that  suppliers  are  likely  to  face  strong  market 
barriers  from  a  data  management  perspective.  The  main 
implemented 
international standard is EDIFACT (BE, DE, FI, LU, SE), yet EDIFACT is a standard only 
at  syntactic  level  but  not  at  semantic  level,  i.e.  it  does  not  involve  a  common 
vocabulary. The CIM International Standard might become an alternative to EDIFACT, 
as  CIM  is  a  standard  both  on  semantic  and  syntactic  layers  (FI  is  considering  the 
possibility to switch to it). On the other hand, we find that a large number of countries 
have their own formats. Interoperability between MS of data management models can 
thus be questioned. Also, role models differ. In particular, we considered the number 
of  interactions  between  stakeholders  for  a  standard  billing  and  switching  process. 
Although  this  might  be  an  over-simplified  indicator,  we  can  nevertheless  observe  a 
large variety of processes across MS. Again, regional differences regarding policy and 
communication  format  choices  are  expected  to  be  stronger  between  than  within  MS. 
Even if 2 MS use EDIFACT as a basis for their communication, it does not necessarily 
mean that the communication is compatible.  

Access to data and emerging energy and flexibility services 

Easy  access  to  accurate  and  timely  data  through  smart  meter  deployment  is  a  pre-
condition for the emergence of flexibility and novel energy services. Today,  the level 
of  smart  meter  coverage  varies  widely,  from  MS  having  reached  (almost)  full 
coverage (e.g. FI, ES) to MS currently examining smart meter roll-out or running pilot 
projects (BE, HU, LT). 

Smart meters do not necessarily comply with the 10 common minimum functionalities 
recommended by the EC (2012/148/EU) and in particular with those  that can deliver 
benefits to customers, namely [a]  (provide readings directly to the customer and any 
third party designated by the consumer), [b] (update the readings frequently enough) 
and  [f]  (support  advanced  tariff  systems).  For  instance,  functionality  [b]  ([f])  is  not 
implemented  in  ES  (DK).  AT  reports  that  all  functionalities  are  possible,  but  can  be 
activated only in specific contexts and only with the consent of the customer.  

Consumption  data  access  opportunities  by  customers  and  third  parties  between 
countries are heterogeneous. This is partially linked to the smart meter coverage. With 
the roll-out of smart meters the options for data access broaden. Due to the absence 
of a validation process, historical and (near) real-time data available directly from the 
smart meter is usually non-validated, except for AT and to a lesser extent for DE and 
LT.  Progressively,  MS  facilitate  customer  access  to  historical  consumption  data  on  a 
web portal. The portal is provided either by the DSO, the supplier or, where available, 
the  central  data  hub  operator.  At  least  one  of  these  options  is  available in  almost  all 
countries  where  smart  meters  are  being  rolled-out.  However,  only  a  few  countries 
make (near) real-time data available on compulsory web portals. The DSO web portal 
or  direct  contact  with  the  DSO  are  the  most  common  interfaces  available  for  third 

are  standardized.  For  the  UK,  the  Data  Communications  Company  (DCC)  has  been 
mandated  to  contribute  to  the  introduction  of  a  central  switching  programme 
(ongoing).  Consumption  data  can  already  be  accessed  through  a  central  DCC 
interface. 
42 In Belgium, for instance, the so-called “Turteltaks” to finance renewable energy was 
raised in Flanders but not in Wallonia. This tax needs to be treated in the information 
exchange between suppliers and DSOs. 

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parties to access validated data. Non-validated data is usually available via the smart 
meter gateway and, in a few countries, via a compulsory web portal. 

Giving and revoking consent is the key requirement on which customer control is built 
on,  especially  in  light  of  the  General  Data  Protection  Regulation  (GDPR,  2016), 
enforceable  from  May  2018.  However,    the  information  we  gathered  indicates  that  a 
fully transparent consent mechanism is usually not implemented yet: 

1. 

For all the countries but PL the customer is the actor giving the right to third 

parties to access his validated consumption data; 

2. 

A  clear  protocol  that  enables  the  customer  to  actively  control  third  parties’ 

access is defined in DK, EE, ES and PT; 

3. 

FI,  FR  and  UK  are  planning  to  enable  the  customer  to  exercise  this  control 
beyond  the  traditional  consent  or  authorization.  Other  countries  (Italy)  have 
started a consultation process; 

4. 

All  other  countries  rely  on  the  customer’s  consent,  generally  written  but 

sometimes also oral; 

5. 

For  countries  like  EL,  LV,  PL  and  SI,  this  control  is  identified  by  the  current 
energy  contract:  third  parties  (except  the  current  supplier)  are  not  meant  to 
have  access  to  validated  data.  The  same  can  be  said  for  other  countries  where 
current  regulation  has  not  disciplined  access  to  validated  data  for  third  parties 
(beyond  the  chosen  supplier):  in  principle  third  parties  can’t  access  to 
customer’s  validated  data  unless  the  customer  delegates  access  to  the  web 
portal,  when  available.  The  most  concerning  observation  was  that  in  countries 
without well-defined data access procedures, clients grant access to third parties 
by providing credentials (like the password) to a web portal. This is problematic 
since clients lose control on the data once they have given their credentials. 

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Appendix 

Electricity vs. Gas  

country 

comparison 

main difference(s) 

data granularity 

Gas  has  decentralized  system  (Similar  to 
electricity by end 2018) 

No liberalised gas market yet 

 Daily instead of hourly consumption data 
in  case  of  a  smart  gas  meter.  Enedis 
(GRDF)  responsible  for  electricity  (gas) 
data treatment. 
The  data  exchange  in  the  gas  market 
mirrors the electricity regulation. Data are 
stored  decentrally,  DSOs  are  responsible 
for  metering  and  passing  on  information 
to  the  suppliers.  The  data  format  and 
message formats are the same. 

The  industry  codes  for  SMETS  2  hence 
also apply for gas. 

fully decentralized yet 

decentralized system 

no info received 

Gas  data  is  handled  in  a  decentralized 
way  (35  DSO's),  electricity  centralized  at 
only  DSO.  As  of  2018  gas  evolves  to  a 
centralized  system  too.  Communication 
for  gas  (billing  and  switching)  well 
standardized  through  platform  at  market 
operator 
electricity 
communication  currently  email-based  but 
is being modernized (through SAP) 

(HROTE). 

In 

BE 

DK 

EE 

FI 

FR 

similar 

different 

similar 

different 

similar 

DE 

similar 

similar 

different 

different 

identical 

identical 

n/a 

different 

UK 

IT 

ES 

NL 

AT 

BG 

HR 

CY 

CZ 

EL 

different 

No gas market 

n/a 

different 

the unbundling process is still open 

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HU 

similar 

IE 

LV 

LT 

LU 

MT 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SK 

SI 

SE 

n/a 

similar 

different 

similar 

choose 

n/a 

different 

choose 

choose 

different 

choose 

For  households,  there  is  one  supplier  on 
the  gas  market, 
three  suppliers  on 
electricity  market.  Communication  of  gas 
data  consumption  is  eased  between  the 
DSOs and supplier by central data sharing 
platform.  There  is  a  motivation  towards 
centralisation on the gas market, which is 
not seen on the electricity market. 

Only electricity questionnaire received 

Electric data is collected by DSO, gas data 
is collected by supplier 

data granularity 

decentralized system 

decentralized system 

Table 16 Gas vs. Electricity data management 

Technical terms explained 
Multiple  standards  are  defined  for  the  energy  industry  and  depend  on  the  involved 
actors.  In  the  following  figure,  some  of  the  different  standards,  technologies  and 
related  actors  are  represented:  the  right  hand  side  illustrates  the  interaction  with 
classical consumers that are largely driven by commercial needs and the left hand side 
of  the  chart  illustrates  the  emerging  smart  consumer  that  can  provide  demand 
response, owns an electric vehicle and distributed generation.  

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Figure 10 Smart Control of Energy Distribution Grids over Heterogeneous Communication 
Networks (2014) 

This  figure  also  reviews  the  possible  technical  terms  that  can  be  referred  to  in  this 
study which does not always apply at the same level of communication. This part will 
help classifying each of them. 

To help understanding the different layers these protocols apply and to which specific 
actors they relate, we suggest first to take a concrete example of power measurement 
with the French Linky system, then detail the terms that can be found in this study. 

Example: The French Linky system 

Linky is the name of the new Smart Meter of French TSO Enedis. Full details regarding 
this project can be found in France’s country sheet. 

In the figure billow, the Linky smart meter system is represented in a schematic view 
to identify the involved devices and the links between them. 

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Figure 11 – Linky interactions with in-home and network devices 

The  smart  meter  system  (Linky)  can  exchange  information  with  in  home  devices, 
order specific ones and interact with the metering responsible party (Enedis). In home 
devices  can  be  a  device  that  manages  photovoltaic  panels,  a  charger  for  electric 
vehicles…  etc.  The  concentrator  reduces  the  amount  of  data  collected  from  several 
smart meters to  Enedis, or helps dispatching the orders given by it on specific smart 
meters. Note that,  on this representation, additional parties can be added, like DSOs 
and  suppliers,  on  the  left  hand-side.  Those  are  taken  into  consideration in  this  study 
but not in this example. 

Based  on  this  representation  and  Enedis/CRE  sources  (see  France’s  country  sheet), 
protocols and  standards used with Linky can be classified in the table below.  Its first 
row matches the arrows id of the figure above and its first column identifies the layer 
the  information  applies  to.  Three  main  layers  were  identified  from  more  physical  to 
more abstract definition. 

2 

EURIDIS Bus 
(CEI 61142-
31:1993) 

TIC (Enedis-
NOI-CPT_54E) 

4/c 

Power 
line 

5/b 

Wireless (Existing telecom infrastructure) 

PLC (ERDF-CPT-Linky-SPEC-
PROFIL-CPL) 

GPRS 

COSEM 

Unknown 

Physical 
link 

Protocol 

Data 
format 

Understanding  to  what  layer  a  protocol  applies  to  is  mandatory  to  be  able  to 
define the technical specifications of an interchange. 

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Technical classification 
The  following  part  intent  to  classify  the  different  protocols    used  in  this  document 
based on their level of appliance in a communication system. 

Layers definition 

Data syntax 

The  goal  of  the  syntax  is  to  ease  the  storage  and  the  retrieval  of  information  into 
containers. Most of the time, data are stored into files in the XML (eXtensible Markup 
Language)  syntax.  The  meaning  of  security  on  data  syntax  would,  for  example, 
depend  on  whether  the  content  of  the  container  can  be  accessible  or  not  by  specific 
parties. The application of security would be, in this case, an encryption applied over 
the whole file which allows only authorized parties to have access to its content. The 
authenticity of the data is ensured with a certification appended to a container which 
is only verified when the data is unchanged. 

Data semantics 

Once  the  grammar  or  syntax  is  defined,  rules  regarding  the  data  itself  must  be 
clarified  too.  A  grammatically  correct  sentence  does  not  always  make  sense.  Such 
rules  fall  into  the  category  of  Semantic  Understanding:  rules  governing  the 
definition  of  things,  concepts,  and  their  relationship  to  each  other.  Together,  they 
make up an informational model describing how the overall system works. A model is 
usually domain-specific. 

Data protocol 

The  protocol  describes  the  transmission  method  used  between  two  –  or  more  – 
parties.  All  protocols  do  not  ensure  the  same  constraints  therefore  they  must  be 
chosen  depending  on  the  use  case.  The  mostly  used  protocol  seen  in  this  study  is 
HTTP, which easily allows defining web-services. The meaning of security would be, for 
example,  to  ensure  that  data  transmitted  from  A  to  B  would  not  accessible  from  an 
(unauthorized)  third  party  C.  VPN  can  be  used  to  ensure  no  one  else  than  A  and  B 
communicate, SSL can be also used to trust the other party’s authenticity (associated 
to  HTTP  it  gives  the  so  called  HTTPS).  HTTPS  was  the  most  used  solution  for  web-
services because of its ease of use. 

Data security 

Data  security  is  the  set  of  methodologies  and  tools  used  to  ensure  the  three  main 
aspects  of  security:  Confidentiality,  Integrity  and  Availability.  The  first  avoids 
unauthorized  parties  to  access  the  information,  the  second  ensures  the  information 
was provided by the declared author and no one else and the third claims that access 
cannot be prohibited or degraded by unauthorized parties. Security can be applied at 
all the different layers  described above and has to be considered when defining each 
of them. It will therefore not be displayed as specific one. 

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Table-based classification 

Based on the definition of the layers above, the proposed order is first, the definitions 
of  the  protocols  used,  then  the  definitions  of  the  syntaxes  that  are  transmitted 
through  these  protocols  and  finally  the  definitions  of  the  semantics  used  above  the 
syntax.  

Representation 

The  following  representation  on  what  layer  protocols  apply.  Dashed  rows  means  the 
“preferred use of” while plain rows means “mandatory use of”. Each protocol of a layer 
can use one of the above layer. 

c
i
t
n
a
m
e
S

x
a
t
n
y
S

l

o
c
o
t
o
r
P

RDF 
Schem
a 

CIM 

SCL 

COSE
M 

RDF 

ebIX 

UN/ 
EDIFA
CT 

UN/ 
CEFA
CT 

XML 
Schema 

SOAP 

HTML 

XML 

CSV 

Proda
t 

MSCO
NS 

DLMS 

HTTP 

FTP 

Ethern
et 

Bluetoot
h 

ZigBe
e 

Wi-Fi 

Ethern
et 

PLC 

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Definitions 

Layers 
Semantic 

Syntax 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CIM: standard that aims to 

Protocols 
 

allow application software to exchange 
information about an electrical 
network. It defines a common 
vocabulary, maintained as a UML 
model, and basic ontology for aspects 
of the electric power industry (IEC 
61970-301). The IEC 61970-501 and 
61970-452 standards define an XML 
format for network model exchanges 
using RDF. 

SCL: language and 
representation format specified by IEC 
61850 for the configuration of 
electrical substation devices. Files 
exchanged respect pre-defined XML 
formats. SCL representation is 
sequential or hierarchical in nature 
and limited to exchange of data within 
substation equipment and tools. The 
IEC TC57 WG19 is involved in the 
harmonization CIM & SCL.  

RDF: model of data for 

objects or “resources” and the 
relationships among themselves, 
giving a simple semantic. This type of 
data model can be represented in XML 
syntax. 

RDF Schema: vocabulary 

that is used to describe characteristics 
and classes of RDF resources, with a 
semantic for the generalization and 
hierarchy of characteristics as well as 
of classes. 

COSEM: is an interface 

model of communicating energy 
metering equipment, providing a view 
of the functionality available through 
the communication interfaces. The 
modelling uses an object-oriented 
approach. It is a standard defined in 
IEC 62056. 

UN/EDIFACT: comprises a set 

of internationally agreed standards, 
directories and guidelines for the 
electronic interchange of structured 
data and, in particular, that related to 
trade in goods and services between 
independent, computerized information 
systems. Recommended within the 
framework of the United Nations, the 
rules are approved and published by 
UN/ECE in the United Nations Trade 
Data Interchange Directory (UNTDID). It 
provides a set of syntax rules to 
structure data, an interactive exchange 
protocol (I-EDI) and standard messages 
which allow multi-country and multi-
industry exchange. EDIFACT does not 
require any specific transport 
technology but only gives the data 
format. Therefore EDIFACT is neither 
limited in regards to the physical 
transport medium nor in the employed 
transmission protocol. 

 

UN/CEFACT: Within the 

United Nations framework of the 
Economic and Social Council, the United 
Nations Economic Commission for 
Europe (UNECE) serves as the focal 
point for trade facilitation 
recommendations and electronic 
business standards, covering both 
commercial and government business 
processes that can foster growth in 
international trade and related 
services.  In this context, the 
UN/CEFACT was established, as a 
subsidiary, intergovernmental body of 
the UNECE Committee on Trade, 
mandated to develop a program of 
work of global relevance to achieve 
improved worldwide coordination and 
cooperation in these areas. 

Prodat: is a message format 

 

ebIX: provides standardized 

of EDIFACT sent to identify and 
describe products available for supply 
or for information purpose. This 
information includes only technical 
and functional product descriptions.  

MSCONS: is a message 

format of EDIFACT for consumption 
and metering data transmission.  

XML: language that defines 
a set of rules for encoding documents 
in a format that is both human-
readable and machine-readable. The 
W3C organization defines the XML. 
XML Schema: language 
used to restrict the structure of the 
XML documents and to extend them 
with data types. 

CSV: CSV file stores tabular 
data (numbers and text) in plain text. 
RFC 4180 proposes a specification for 
the CSV format, and this is the 

and harmonized processes for the 
liberalized downstream electricity and 
gas markets with the focus on 
information exchange, following EU 
rules and allowing national 
customization. The modelling is based 
on open, international standards as 
from UN/CEFACT, OMG and IEC. 

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 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

Protocol 

Data 
exchange 
protocol 

Physical 
protocol 

Physical link 

definition commonly used. But in 
popular usage, "CSV" is not a single, 
well-defined format. 

HTML: language for 

creating web pages and web 
applications. It defines the structure of 
the document semantically which 
allows web browsers to render data in 
the most appropriate style. 
SOAP: protocol 
specification for exchanging structured 
information in the implementation of 
web services in computer networks. 
The specifications are exchanged 
through HTTP in XML-structured 
documents. 

DLMS: is an application layer specification, independent of the lower layers and 

thus of the communication channel, designed to support messaging to and from (energy) 
distribution devices in a computer-integrated environment. It is an international standards 
established by IEC TC 57 and published as IEC 61334-4-41. 

HTTP: protocol to transfer hypertext – structured text that uses logical links 

(hyperlinks) between nodes containing text. Authentication is available as well as encryption 
(for the last it becomes HTTPS).  

FTP: protocol used to transfer any kind of data: text or binary. Authentication is 

available as well as encryption (for the last it becomes SFTP). 

Wi-Fi: wireless technology for local area networking. Data exchanged over it can 

be encrypted 

Bluetooth: wireless technology for peer to peer data exchange. Encryption is 

always activated. 

ZigBee: is a radio technology for low-cost wireless links with reduced energy 

consumption. It defines local areas over ranges up to 100m and encryption can be added. 

Ethernet: 
as a physical technology, it describes how data is transferred through twisted 

wires. 

as a protocol, it describes how peers are identified inside a local area. 
PLC: is a communication method that uses electrical wiring to simultaneously carry 

both data and electric power. 

Power line: lines on which electric power is in transit. 
Twisted pair: a cable consisting of two wires twisted round each other. 
Bus: is a communication system that transfers data between electric components. 

Table 17: Layers and Protocols 

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Energy specific standards 

Home 
measurement 
system 
H2/H
3 

Other home 
devices 

H1 

Display 

Technical 

Concentrator 

Smart 
meter 

Bill 

Meter 
reader 

Commercial 

Database 

Aggregator 

Supplier 

DSO 

Common 
protocols: 
DLMS/COSEM, 
eMucs… etc. 

Common 
protocols: 
UN/EDIFACT, 
UN/CEFACT, 
MSCONS… etc 

Figure 12 –  Smart Metering: complete spectrum of potential parties involved and possible 
relationships 

PLC 

Power  Line  Carrier  protocols  are  used  in  many  Smart  grid  projects  and  for  the  Linky 
advanced metering system: a higher frequency, low-energy signal is superimposed on 
the  50  Hz  alternating  current  on  the  power  grid  medium  voltage,  low  voltage  and 
downstream  of  the  meter.  This  PLC  signal  makes  it  possible  to  transmit  information, 
and  in  particular  tariff  signals,  over  the  entire  electrical  network.  It  is  received  and 
decoded by any equipment having a PLC receiver of the same category located on the 
same  electrical  network.  The  TCFM  operates  on  this  principle  at  a  lower  frequency 
(175 Hz in most cases). 

The  PLC  signals  used  in  the  Smart  Grids  projects  and  the  Linky  advanced  counting 
system are in the CENELEC-A frequency range between 9 and 95 kHz. This is allocated 
to the communication of electricity system operators by standard NF EN 50065. 

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PLC communication principles 

SOURCE: CRE 

Switching and Billing Processes: roles and sequence description 
(electricity) 
Together  with  the  questionnaire  our  contributors  have  been  asked  to  fill  two  further 
tables describing switching and billing processes. In a second step also the link to public 
documents describing those processes have been asked. Below a table summarizing for 
which countries we have received the tables filled and/or the link.  

Table Switching 
Process Provided 

Table Billing Process 
Provided 

Link to Public documents 
Provided 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes although 
simplified 
Yes 

Yes 

Yes although simplified 

Yes 

No 

Yes  

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes for switching only 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

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HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes, but in Dutch 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes for billing 

Yes 

Yes for switching only 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Table 18: Processes: information provided by contributors 

Austria (AT) 

Overview of processes (details for each process are available on request): 

Table 19 Austria Overview of Processes 

Switching process: 

Step 
number 

1 

2 

3 

4 

Switching: Sequence description 

Action 

From 

To 

Main 
info/explanation 

request 
metering 
point and 
customer ID 

check notice 
period 

send meter 
reading 

implement 
contract 

new 
supplier 

new 
supplier 

new 
supplier 

new 

DSO 

"ZPID" 

old 
supplier 

"BINKUN" 

DSO 

"ZUEM" 

old 

"KUEND" 

March 2018  I  118 

ProzessDescriptionUseCase DescriptionAdditional informationProcess DescriptionKUENDElectronic notice of termination processKUEND_UCDKUEND_AIKUEND_PDWIESChange Of SupplierWIES_UCDWIES_AIWIES_PDANLInstallation search process ANL_UCDANL_AIANL_PDANMEnabling procedureANM_UCDANM_AIANM_PDBELNBExpression of interest process initiated at system operator BELNB_UCDBELNB_AIBELNB_PDABMDisabling procedureABM_UCDABM_AIABM_PDVZTermination of energy supply contract for other reasonsVZ_UCDVZ_AIVZ_PDSTOAbort process STO_UCDSTO_AISTO_PDVOLTransmission of power of attorney VOL_UCDVOL_AIVOL_PDVPPower of attorney validation processVP_UCDVP_AIVP_PDIDZInstallation ID selectionIDZ_UCDIDZ_AIIDZ_PDZUEMTransmission of meter reading to supplier ZUEM_UCDZUEM_AIZUEM_PDName of the excel-register 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

5 

termination 

implement 
switching 

supplier 

new 
supplier 

supplier 

DSO - 
old 
supplier 

"WIES" 

Table 20 Austria Switching Process 

All processes related to traditional activities are described under  

http://ebutilities.at/. 

Specifically for billing: 

http://ebutilities.at/documents/20160502183211_ebUtilities-Invoice_03p00.pdf 

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Belgium (BE) 

Switching: 

Action 

 request 

Rejection 

Confirmation 

End of supply notification 

Unsolicitated 
notification 
accesspoint master data 

cancel 

Historical 
Volumes 
end index notification 

Estimated 

Historical 
Data – Notification 

Consumption 

From 

To 

new supplier 

metering point administrator 

metering 
administrator 
metering 
administrator 
metering 
administrator 
metering 
administrator 
metering 
administrator 
meter 
responsible 
meter 
responsible 
meter 
responsible 

point 

point 

point 

point 

point 

data 

data 

data 

new supplier 

new supplier 

old supplier 

new supplier) 

new supplier 

new supplier 

old supplier 

new supplier 

Table 21 Belgium Switching Process 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: 

UMIG 

Atrias. 
Marktprocessen : 
http://www.atrias.be/FR/UMIG%2065/01%20Processus%20de%20March%C3%A9%20(Guide%20d'Impleme
ntation)/02%20Business%20Requirements/UMIG%20-%20BR%20-%20ME%20-%2003%20-
%20Exchange%20Metering%20v6.5.pdf 
http://www.atrias.be/UK/Publications_ProjectDocuments/L0%20Introduction%20to%20Market%20Process
es%20FR.pdf 

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Cyprus (CY) 

No table describing either switching and billing processes has been provided. No links to 
public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

Czech Republic (CZ) 

No table describing either switching and billing processes has been provided. No links to 
public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

Germany (DE) 

Tables describing processes: 

Step 
number 
1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

Switching: Sequence description 

Action 

From 

To 

termination request 

new supplier 

old supplier 

Main 
info/explanation 
UTILMD 

confirmation/rejection 

old supplier 

new supplier 

UTILMD 

request 

new supplier 

DSO 

Location, reason 

Information on current mapping  DSO 

new supplier 

termination request 

DSO 

old supplier 

response termination request 

old supplier 

DSO 

end of mapping to old supplier 

DSO 

old supplier 

confirmation of mapping 

sending of mapping list 

10 

Historic consumption data 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

new supplier 

new supplier 

new supplier 

Table 22: Germany Switching Process – Electricity 

Billing: Sequence description 

Step Number 

Action (what) 

From 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Request for meter reading 

Supplier 

Request for meter reading 

DSO 

send data 

Checking 

if incorrect 

Final data send 

meter operator  

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

To 

DSO 

meter 
operator 
DSO 

meter 
operator 
Supplier 

Main 
info/explanation 
regular or exordinary 

validation 

changed data 

Table 23: Germany Billing Process - Electricity 

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Figure 13: Germany: Switching procedure 

BK6-16-200, ANLAGE 1 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: 

https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Service-

BNetzA-Festlegung  "Geschäftsprozesse  zur  Kundenbelieferung  mit  Elektrizität",  BK6-
16-200 
Electricity: 
Funktionen/Beschlusskammern/1BK-Geschaeftszeichen-Datenbank/BK6-
GZ/2016/2016_0001bis0999/BK6-16-
200/BK6_16_200_Anlage_1_GPKE_mit_Fehlerkorrektur.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v
=2 
Gas: 
https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Service-Funktionen/Beschlusskammern/1BK-
Geschaeftszeichen-Datenbank/BK7-
GZ/2006/2006_0001bis0999/2006_001bis099/BK7-06-
067_BKV/Anlage_zum_Beschluss_BK_7-06-
06_Id11200pdf.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2 

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Denmark (DK) 

Tables describing processes:  switching process only 

Step 
number 
1 

2 

3 

4 

Switching: Sequence description 

Action 

From 

To 

Main 
info/explanation 

Reporting of change of supplier to 
the DataHub 

new supplier 

datahub 

Approval of change of supplier in 
the DataHub 

datahub 

new supplier 

Sending of customer-related 
master data 

datahub 

new supplier 

Information to the grid operator 
and the old balance supplier 

datahub 

DSO and old 
supplier 

Table 24: Denmark Switching Process - Electricity 

Link  to  public  documents  describing  switching  and  billing  processes: 
https://en.energinet.dk/Electricity/Rules-and-Regulations/Market-Regulations 

Estonia (EE) 

Tables describing processes:  

Step 
number 
1 

2 

3 

4 

Step 
Number 
1 

2 

Switching: Sequence description 

Action 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

customer signs new contract 
with new supplier 

Customer 

New supplier 

Sign contract online 

new supplier notifies the old 
supplier 

New supplier 

Old supplier 

old supplier ends the 
contract in the datahub 

Old supplier 

Datahub 

Notify end of customer 
contract 

Notify end of customer 
contract 

old supplier notifies the 
datahub of the new contract 

New supplier 

Datahub 

Notify datahub of new 
contract. 

Table 25: Estonia Switching Process – Electricity 

Billing: Sequence description 

Action (what) 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Request 

Send 

Supplier 

Datahub 

Meter data 

Supplier 

Customer 

Bill 

Table 26: Estonia Billing Process - Electricity 

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Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: 
Link to public documents describing the Switching process: https://elering.ee/en/data-
exchange#tab1 
Link to public document describing the Billing process: not available 

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Greece (EL) 

Tables describing processes:  

Step number 

Action 

From 

To 

Switching: Sequence description 

Main 
info/explanation 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

contract  

request 

approval 

new supplier 

customer 

new suppler 

DSO 

DSO  

new supplier 

metering encapture 

new suppler 

DSO 

validation 

confirmation 

DSO  

DSO  

new supplier 

 old and new 
supplier 

Table 27: Greece Switching Process – Electricity 

Step Number 

Action (what) 

From 

To 

Billing: Sequence description 

Main 
info/explanation 

1 

2 

3 

measurement capture and 
validation 

DSO 

measurement sent 

DSO 

SUPPLIER 

measurement acceptance 

supplier 

DSO 

Table 28: Greece Billing Process - Electricity 

Link  to  public  documents  describing  the  Switching  and  Billing  processes: 
there is no document or handbook available. The processes were designed in the past, 
they  were  approved  by  the  regulator  and  then  they  were  implemented  via  computer 
applications and so they are standardized leaving no area to the users to improvise or 
act outside the rules. 

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Spain (ES) 

Tables describing processes:  

Step 
number 
1 

2 

3 

4 

2 bis 

4 bis 

Switching: Sequence description 

Action 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Switching request 
notification  

Approved 
request notification  

switching 

New supplier  

DSO  

DSO 

 Old supplier 

Switch implemented  

DSO  

New 
Supplier  

Switch implemented  

DSO  

Old Supplier  

Rejected switching 
request notification  

Rejected switching 
request notification  

DSO  

DSO  

New 
supplier  

New 
supplier  

In case the request is correct 
and has been accepted by the 
DSO  
 In case the request is correct, 
has been accepted by the 
DSO and the switch is feasible 
 In case the request is correct, 
has been accepted by the 
DSO and the switch is feasible 
In case the request is not 
correct and has not been 
accepted by the DSO  
In case the request is correct, 
has been accepted by the 
DSO but the switch is not 
feasible  

Table 29: Spain Switching Process – Electricity 

Figure 14: Switching process 

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Step Number 

Action (what) 

From 

To 

Billing: Sequence description 

Main 
info/explanation 

1 

2 

Validated data available in the 
SIPS and data acquisition 
 Final bill sent 

 DSO 

 The supplier 

 The supplier 

The customer  

Table 30: Spain Billing Process - Electricity 

Link to public  documents describing  switching  and  billing processes:  No links 
to public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

Finland (FI) 

Tables describing processes:  

Step 
number 
1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Switching: Sequence description 

Action 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Start of supply 
notification 

new supplier 

DSO 

new contract 

Notification 

DSO 

old supplier  

information on the new 
contract 

End of supply notification 

old supplier 

DSO 

confirmation/end of supply 

Confirmation 

DSO 

new supplier 

Notification 

DSO 

old supplier  

Notification 

DSO 

new supplier 

confirmation on the start of 
new supply 

meter data at the end of 
supply 

meter data at the start of 
supply 

Table 31: Finland Switching Process – Electricity 

Billing: Sequence description 

Step Number 

Action (what) 

Send meter data 

From 

DSO 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Supplier 

1 

2 

Billing the customer 

Supplier 

Customer 

Table 32: Finland Billing Process – Electricity 

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Figure 15: Finland Switching Process 

SOURCE: Energiateollisuus 

Figure 16 Finland Notice of hourly metered data to the Supplier 

 SOURCE: Energiateollisuus 

Links to public documents describing switching and billing processes: 
https://energia.fi/files/1667/Message_exchange_and_procedural_instructions_in_the_
electricity_retail_market_20161215.pdf 
http://www.fingrid.fi/fi/asiakkaat/asiakasliitteet/Tiedonvaihto/2017%20liitteet/A%20n
ew%20supplier%20in%20the%20Finnish%20electricity%20retail%20market.pdf 

https://www.ediel.fi/en 

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France (FR) 

Tables describing processes: switching process only 

Switching: Sequence description 

Step number 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

Action 

Request 

From 

new 
supplier 

To 

DSO 

Main info/explanation 

Demande faite via portail 
SGE ou Webservices 

Rejection 

DSO 

new supplier 

confirmation 

DSO 

new supplier 

Recevabilité ou non 
recevabilité en temps réel au 
moment de la demande du 
nouveau fournisseur 

Recevabilité ou non 
recevabilité en temps réel au 
moment de la demande du 
nouveau fournisseur 

notification beginning 
of contract 

Access consumption 
data 

notification end of 
supply notification 

access denied date 
coonsumption 

DSO 

new supplier 

flux C15 

DSO 

new supplier 

DSO 

old supplier 

flux C15 

DSO 

old supplier 

Table 33 : France Switching Process – Electricity 

Figure 17: France Switching Process 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes:  
http://www.enedis.fr/sites/default/files/Enedis-FOR-CF_02E.pdf 
https://www.gte2007.com/referentiel.php

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Main 
info/explanation 

Croatia (HR) 

Tables describing processes: 

Step 
number 
1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

Switching: Sequence description 

Action 

request 

rejection 

From 

new supplier 

To 

DSO 

DSO 

new supplier 

correction of the request 

new supplier 

DSO 

confirmation of alignment 

DSO 

new supplier 

contract confirmation 

new supplier 

DSO 

confirmation of the request 

End of supply notification 

Access to historical 
consumption data, 
historical interval data and 
synthetic load profile 
category  

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

new supplier 

old supplier 

new supplier 

9 

Final consumption data 

DSO 

old supplier 

Table 34: Croatia Switching Process – Electricity 

Step Number 

Action (what) 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Billing: Sequence description 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

meter reading 

consumption calculation 

billing 

sending data to supplier 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

supplier 

invoicing 

supplier 

customer 

Table 35: Croatia Billing Process - Electricity 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: No links to 
public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

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Hungary (HU) 

Tables describing processes:  

Step number 

Action 

Billing: Sequence description 

1 

2 

DSO sends automatically the customer`s monthly consumption data to the supplier 

The supplier sends the bill to the customer 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: No links to 
public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

Ireland (IE) 

No table describing either switching and billing processes has been provided. No links to 
public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

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Italy (IT) 
Tables describing processes:  

Step 
number 
1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

Action 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Switching: Sequence description  

termination 
of 
contract 

the 

new 
supplier 

old 
supplier 

for 

request 
the 
termination 

old 
supplier 

SII 
(process 
manager)  

switching 
request 

new 
supplier 

SII 

request 
acceptance 

SII 

DSO, old 
and new 
supplier 

SII 

DSO 

DSO 

settlement 
data 

switching 
data 

switching 
reading  and 
consumption 
data 

old and 
new 
supplier 
old and 
new 
supplier 
SII, old 
and new 
supplier 
(only to 
SII in the 
future) 

To be sent by the 10th day of 
the month that precedes the 
date of the switching, that will 
be effective on the first day of 
the month M. It can be sent 
once the withdrawal period is 
expired 
By the next 3 working days 
following the receipt of the 
customer's recess. Step 1 and 2 
will be unified in a next 
regulatory evolution: the new 
supplier will communicate the 
recess to the SII and the SII 
will notify the old supplier 
To be sent by the 10th day of 
the month that precedes the 
date of the switching, that will 
become effective on the first 
day of the successive month 
By the 8 working days after the 
acceptance, the new supplier 
can exercise his recess right 
once he gets some additional 
information on the credit (bad 
payment) history of the new 
customer. 
The SII sends the data needed 
for the settlement  

Technical and contractual data 
of the POD 

Measures (read by the DSO, by 
the client or estimated) to be 
ascribed to the switching date  

N° 
interactions 
1 

1 

1 

3 

2 

2 

3 

Step 
Number 
1 

2 

Table 36: Italy Switching Process - Electricity 

Action (what) 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Billing: Sequence description  

DSO 

supplier/SII 

supplier 

customer 

DSO sends data to supplier and to the SII. 
Starting from February 2018, DSO will send 
data only to the SII and the SII will make 
them available to supplier. The data can be 
real or estimated but all data are validated. 
Supplier sends the bill to the customer. The 
bill must comply with the rules for integrated 
text for billing 

DSO sends 
validated data 
meter each 
month. 

the Supplier 
issues and 
verifies that the 
bill is correct to 
send it to the 
customer 

Table 37: Italy Billing Process - Electricity 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: 

Link to public documents describing the Switching process: 

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  Delibera 487/2015/R/eel: https://www.autorita.energia.it/it/docs/15/487-15.htm    

  DCO 544/2017/R/com: https://www.autorita.energia.it/it/docs/17/544-17.htm   
Link to public document describing the Billing process:  
  Delibera 463/2016/R/com: https://www.autorita.energia.it/it/docs/16/463-16.htm 

  Delibera 501/2014/R/com: https://www.autorita.energia.it/it/docs/14/501-14.htm 

Lithuania (LT) 

Tables describing processes:  

Step number 

Action 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Switching: Sequence description 

1 

2 

 request 

consumer 

new 
supplier 

consumer signs a contract with new supplier 

notification 
registration 

supplier 

DSO 

Supplier informs DSO about new contract with 
consumer. The notification is signed by 
supplier and consumer. 

3 

information 

consumer 

old 
supplier 

Consumer informs old supplier following the 
requirements of the contract with old supplier. 
The step depends on the contract details. 

Table 38: Lithuania Switching Process - Electricity 

Billing: Sequence description 

Step number 

Action 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

1 

Declare consumption data 
and make payment 

Consumer 

DSO 

Table 39: Lithuania Billing Process - Electricity 

Link to public  documents describing  switching  and  billing processes:  No links 
to public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

Luxembourg (LU) 

Tables describing processes:  

Step number 

Action 

From 

To 

Main 
info/explanation 

Switching: Sequence description 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

New supplier initiates switching procedure 

DSO confirms receipt of message 

DSO informs old supplier of request 

DSO confirms registration of new customer 
o new supplier 

DSO confirms end of registration to old 
supplier 

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6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

DSO sends Meter reading to new supplier 

DSO sends Meter reading to old supplier 

DSO sends final bill for network charges to 
old supplier 
DSO send updated customer list to new 
supplier 

DSO send updated customer list to old 
supplier 

Table 40: Luxembourg Switching Process - Electricity 

Billing: Sequence description 

Step Number 

Action (what) 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

DSO reads meter / validates meter 
reading 

DSO sends meter data to supplier 

DSO sends bill to supplier 

supplier checks bill 

supplier pays bill 

Table 41: Luxembourg Billing Process - Electricity 

18: Luxembourg Switching Process 

 Figure 

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 Figure 19: : Luxembourg Billing Process 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: 
Link to documentation on data formats: 
Market 
Model 
communication 
https://luxmaco.vbulletin.net/filedata/fetch?id=874 
Technical 
https://luxmaco.vbulletin.net/forum/allgemein/current-luxmaco-documents/mdms-
modell-der-marktkommunikation-strom/utilmd-aa 
Technical 
documentation 
https://luxmaco.vbulletin.net/forum/allgemein/current-luxmaco-documents/mdms-
modell-der-marktkommunikation-strom/mscons-aa 

documentation 

(UTILMD) 

– 

Electricity: 

- 

(MSCONS) 

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Latvia (LV) 

Tables describing processes:  

Step number 

Action 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Switching: Sequence description 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

Customer picks new supplier 

New supplier till date 15 informs 
DSO about customers switching 
intentions 

DSO till date 25 informs the old 
supplier about planned switching 

DSO till date 25 informs the new 
supplier about planned switching 

Old supplier informs DSO on the 
end of contract time 

Within 5 days after switching DSO 
provides old supplier with final 
consumption data 

Within 5 days after switching DSO 
provides new supplier with start 
consumption data 

Table 42: Latvia Switching Process - Electricity 

Billing: Sequence description 

Step Number 

Action (what) 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

1 

2 

3 

Customer hands in consumption 
information (in case of smart metering 
information is read remotely) 

Supplier access consumption 
information on DSO's database 

Supplier writes and sends bill 

Table 43: Latvia Billing Process - Electricity 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: 
for 
Link 
electricity-sector 

billing  manual:https://www.sprk.gov.lv/lapas/legal-acts#legal-acts-in-

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Netherlands (NL) 
Tables describing processes: switching process 

Step number 

Action 

From 

To 

Switching: Sequence description 

Main 
info/explanation 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

Consulting 
(European 
Numbering) codebook 

the 

EAN 
Article 

initiating 
supplier 

DSO (through 
EDSN) 

Consulting  the  Contract 
Control Protocol (CCP) 

initiating 
supplier 

old supplier 
(through 
EDSN) 

Consulting 
point metering data 

the 

access 

Notification  on  supplier 
switch 

Processing 
the  supplier 
switch  in  the  "connection 
sending 
and 
register" 
master data 

initiating 
supplier 

initiating 
supplier 

DSO 

DSO (through 
EDSN) 

Historical consumption 
and meter readings 

DSO 

initiating 
supplier 

6 

Final meter reading 

initiating 
supplier 

customer 

Customer provides the 
meter reading or 
through P4 if smart 
meter 

Table 44:  Netherland Switching Process – Electricity 

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Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes:  

 DPM Mutatie- & meetprocessen KLEINVERBRUIK, V 4.0 

 Detailprocesmodel Facturering en Afdracht v 9.0 

http://www.nedu.nl/portfolio/klantprocessen/    

Poland (PL) 

Tables describing processes: 

Step number 

Action 

From 

To  Main info/explanation 

Switching: Sequence description 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

Make Supply Contract (new Supplier with 
customer) 

request End of Supply with the old 
(current) supplier 

make new contract with DSO (customer - 
DSO) - if there is no current distribution 
contract  

Request Change of Supplier 

Supplier switch metering data 

Table 45: Poland Switching Process – Electricity 

Step number 

Action 

From 

To  Main info/explanation 

Billing: Sequence description 

1 

2 

3 

data acquisition and validation 

calculation of the bill 

sending the bill to the customer 

Table 46: Poland Billing Process – Electricity 

Link to public documents describing switching processes:  
ENERGA: 
operator.pl/uslugi/zmiana_sprzedawcy/zasady_i_warunki.xml 
ENEA: https://www.operator.enea.pl/zmianasprzedawcy/procedurazmianysprzedawcy 
PGE: https://pgedystrybucja.pl/Dla-Klienta/Jak-zmienic-sprzedawce   
Tauron: https://www.tauron-dystrybucja.pl/uslugi-dystrybucyjne/zmiana-sprzedawcy 
Innogy: 
sprzedawcy/informacje-o-procesie/ 

http://www.innogystoenoperator.pl/web/cms/pl/1734726/dla-domu/zmiana-

http://www.energa-

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Portugal (PT) 
Tables describing processes:  switching process only 

Switching: Sequence description 

Step number 

Action 

Client asks for new 
contract 
 New supplier asks for 
switching operation 

From 

Client 

New 
Supplier  

To 

Main info/explanation 

New 
supplier  
DSO  

The DSO evaluates the new 
contract and if it is necessary to 
make any intervention in the 
consumer’s facility. If so, that 
need is communicated to the new 
supplier. Otherwise, the process 
continues to the next step 

DSO  

 Activation 
communication and 
invoicing 
 Activation 
communication to 
client 
Table 47: Portugal Switching Process - Electricity 

Old and 
new 
Supplier  
Client  

New 
supplier  

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: No links to 
public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

Sweden (SE) 

Tables describing processes: 

Switching: Sequence description 

Step number 

Action 

From 

Request (Z03L) 

Supplier 

To 

DSO 

Main info/explanation 

Confirmation that 
the message is 
received 

Acceptance of the 
supplier switch 
(Z04L) 

DSO 

New Supplier 

Confirmation that the DSO has 
received the request 

DSO 

New Supplier 

Confirmation that the request is 
accepted and information regarding 
the customer site 

Confirmation that 
the message is 
received 

New 
Supplier 

DSO 

Confirmation that the Supplier has 
received the acceptance message 

End of delivery 
message (Z05) 

DSO 

Old Supplier 

Message ending current supplier’s 
delivery 

Confirmation that 
the message is 
received 

Old 
Supplier 

DSO 

Confirmation that the old Supplier 
has received the End of Delivery 
message 

Start Meter value is 
sent 

DSO 

New Supplier 

Start Meter Value so the supplier 
can start their delivery 

Confirmation that 
the message is 
received 

New 
Supplier 

DSO 

Confirmation that the Supplier has 
received the meter value 

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1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

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9 

10 

11 

12 

End Meter value is 
sent 

Confirmation that 
the message is 
received 
Consumption 
prognosis (S02) 
sent 

Confirmation that 
the message is 
received 

DSO 

Old Supplier 

End Meter Value so the old supplier 
can finalize their billing 

Old 
Supplier 

DSO 

Confirmation that the Supplier has 
received the meter value 

DSO 

New Supplier 

A consumption prognosis sent 
regarding the site 

New 
Supplier 

DSO 

Confirmation that the Supplier has 
received the message (S02) 

Table 48: Sweden Switching Process - Electricity 

Billing: Sequence description 

Action (what) 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Collect meter 
values 
Send meter values 
to DSO 
Validate meter 
values 
Send meter values 
to Supplier 
Create invoice 

Validate Invoice 

Send Invoice to 
customer 

Meter 

Meter value 
supplier 

Meter value 
supplier 
DSO 

DSO 

Supplier 

Could be an external supplier or 
the DSO 

DSO validate the meter value 

Both the Supplier and the DSO 
creates an invoice if you not a 
vertically integrated company. 

Supplier/DSO 

Customer 

Validate that the created invoices 
are correct 
thru  various 

Sent 
Digital as well as paper 

channels. 

Step 
Number 
1 

2 

3 

4.1 

4.2 

5 

6 

Table 49: Sweden Billing Process - Electricity 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: No links to 
public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

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Slovenia (SI) 

Tables describing processes: 

Step 
number 
1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

Switching: Sequence description 

Action 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

request 

Rejection 

new 
supplier 
DSO 

Confirmation 

DSO 

End of 
supply 
notification 
Acquiring 
meter data 
Final 
settlement 
grid fees 
Confirmation 
of change 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

DSO 

Registry of 
consumers 

DSO 

DSO 

new 
supplier 
new 
supplier 
old 
supplier 

old 
supplier 

old 
supplier 
and 
new 
supplier 
new 
supplier 

DSO registers the new supplier in the register of consumers 

Table 50: Slovenia Switching Process – Electricity 

Step Number 

Action (what) 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Billing: Sequence description 

1 

2 

3 

meter reading and fees 
calculation 
invoice preparation and sending 

DSO 

supplier 

supplier 

customer 

grid fees invoicing 

DSO 

supplier 

Table 51: Slovenia Billing Process - Electricity 

Link to public documents describing switching and billing processes: No links to 
public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

United Kingdom (UK) 

Tables describing processes: 

Step number 

Action 

From 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Switching: Sequence description 

1 

2 

3 

Customer initiates 
switch  

Supply point 
registration request 

Notify current 
supplier of loss 

Customer 

new supplier 

New supplier 

Meter Point Administrator 

Meter Point 
Administrato
r 
current 
supplier 

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4 

Raise objection 

current supplier 

5 

Resolve objection 

Customer 

Meter Point 
Administrato
r 

There are certain 
scenarios where the 
current supplier is able to 
object to a registration 
request from a new 
supplier 

current 
supplier 

Where an objection is 
raised, the customer must 
be made aware and is 
provided the opportunity 
to resolve the objection  

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

Remove objection 

current supplier 

Meter Point 
Administrato
r 

Applicable where the 
customer has resolved the 
objection 

appoint metering 
agents 

New supplier 

request metering 
details 

New supplier's Metering 
Agent 

supply 

of 
End 
notification 
De-appoint metering 
agents 

Meter Point Administrator 

current supplier 

metering 
agents 

Current 
Supplier's 
Metering 
Agent 

Current 
supplier 

Metering 
Agents 

Request/obtain 
opening meter 
reading 
Provide closing 
meter read 

New Supplier 

Customer 

New Supplier 

Current 
Supplier 

Table 52: United Kingdom Switching Process - Electricity 

Step Number 

1 

2 

3 

Action 
(what) 
Supplier 
initiates meter 
reading 
request 

Meter Reading 
Agent obtains 
reading and 
provides to 
energy 
supplier 

Energy 
supplier 
processes 
meter reading 
and generates 
bill 

Billing: Sequence description 

From 

Energy 
supplier 

Meter 
Reading 
Agent 

To 

Main info/explanation 

Meter Reading Agent 

Energy supplier 

Where reading is not obtained, 
customers are encouraged to 
provide their own reading to 
the energy supplier 

Energy 
supplier 

Customer 

Where no meter reading is 
obtained by the Meter Reading 
Agent, or provided by the 
customer, the bill will be based 
on an estimated meter reading.  

Table 53: United Kingdom Billing Process – Electricity 

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 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

Switching: 

Link to public  documents describing  switching  and  billing processes:  No links 
to public documents describing these processes have been provided. 

March 2018  I  143 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ASSET STUDY on Which, where, when and how much flexibility and storage do we need to meet 2030 goals? 

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