The new role of the energy service provider – an opportunity for more competition in the metering sector?

[suchona.kani.z]

The implementation of MaKo 2022 will result, among many other changes, in the introduction of a new market role: From April 1, 2022, the energy service provider (ESA for short) will expand the range of roles in market communication. This new role has the potential to stimulate competition in the metering sector and thus have a decisive influence on the entire energy industry.

But what exactly is an energy service provider?
The ESA was introduced with the decision of the BNetzA's Decision Chamber 6 of December 21, 2020. This decision regulates all adjustments to the process landscape that will apply to all market participants in the energy industry from April 1, 2022. The ESA takes on a service role. Provided the connection user gives their permission, they can receive energy consumption data in order to identify optimization potential and suggest adjustments to the connection user's consumption behavior.

How does the ESA appear in the market and what are the requirements?
The most important requirement for using the energy service italy consumer email list provider's service is an intelligent measuring system (iMSys). As part of the currently valid electronic market communication, the meter operator (MSB) transmits the requested measurement values ​​from the connection user to the ESA in the interim model. In the future, i.e. as soon as the star-shaped market communication is fully implemented, the ESA will be able to obtain the measurement values ​​directly via the Smart Meter Gateway (SMGW). Due to the fact that an obligation to install iMSys currently only applies to connection users with an annual consumption of more than 6,000 kWh per year, the target group of the ESA is still limited. Against this background, the first customer groups of the ESA will be exclusively commercial and industrial customers. Potential for services in the area of ​​energy efficiency is likely to exist particularly for customers without their own energy management. How the new service provided by the energy service provider could affect private households remains to be seen for the time being. In principle, however, it must be noted that every target group must be prepared to pay for the new service, as this is not part of the MSB's price cap.


What is the process between connection user, ESA and MSB?
Schematic representation of the process between connection user, ESA and MSB
What are the obligations of the ESA and the MSB? What are the effects on the market environment?
The energy service provider is obliged to comply with the GDPR. Accordingly, it is not permitted to pass on consumption data to third parties without first obtaining the consent of the connection user. Furthermore, it is only permitted to process the connection user's data in the context of analyses and evaluations.