AS4 transition on schedule with BNetzA

Prepare for internal testing.
Live exchange of AS4 messages starts in October 2023.

AS4 MaKO Umstellung im Zeitplan der BNEtzA

Stay up to date with EDI@Energy standards

Our Z1 Energy MarketCommunication solution is currently being upgraded to meet the new requirements according to schedule. Stay informed about the progress by subscribing to our newsletters and participating in our webinars where we will answer your questions.

We understand that keeping up with the constantly evolving standards in the German energy market, along with the technical hurdles that come with it, can be challenging. That’s why we are dedicated to simplifying the process by automating it whenever possible. In cases where automation is not feasible, our Sales, Support, and Operations teams will provide step-by-step instructions, checklists, and personal consultations to guide you.

For a detailed timeline and expectations by the deadline, please refer to the decision BK6-21-282 (from March 2022) by Chamber 6 of the Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA), the German Federal Network Agency.

💡 Please note, that the official documents quoted from are currently only available in German. The translations provided are for general understanding purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal translations. It is recommended that you additionally consult the original documents.

Key deadlines: 10/1/23 and 4/1/24

Source: Bundesnetzagentur BK6-21-282, page 18 and following

Deadline: October 1, 2023

AS4 Umstellung Stichtag 01. Oktober 2023

The […] test and implementation phase [up until October 1] is aimed at ensuring that all concerned parties of this regulation develop and carry out test routines for their respective systems, their specific internal processes and procedures, and the respective software solutions, thus preparing for actual live operation. … [As of October 1] … all the parties concerned will enter a transition phase in which they can test AS4 in active operation with various market partners using the BSI’s smart metering PKI and successively scale up. During the rolling transition phase, it will continue to be possible for the parties concerned to use S/MIME-encrypted emails for communication in parallel with communication via AS4 using the BSI’s smart metering PKI.
[…] is obliged to have implemented and set up a functioning productive system for the use of AS4 using the BSI’s smart metering PKI. Furthermore, from this point in time, all concerned parties of this regulation must be technically and procedurally capable of communicating with other market participants via AS4 using the BSI’s smart metering PKI in accordance with the requirements of Tenorziffer 1.

Deadline: April 1, 2024

As of 4/1/24, the option of parallel use of emails encrypted by means of S/MIME for the purposes of market communication will cease to exist without replacement. This means that from 4/1/24 at the latest, all communication within the scope of electronic market communication must be handled exclusively via AS4 using the BSI smart metering PKI.

Zertificon will provide you with the necessary software, ensuring that you comply with the BNetzA timeline.

Phased rollout of AS4 in market communication

In red: Zertificon’s release dates for Z1 Energy MarketCommunication

Zeitstrahl Einführung AS4 mit Z1 Releases

Source: Bundesnetzagentur BK6-21-282, Annex 1, adapted by Zertificon. We maintain the German terminology due to the exclusive use of German in official documents.

What happens if I am not on schedule for the AS4 switch in market communication?

It may not be possible for all market participants to meet the technical requirements for AS4 communication by October 1, 2023. However, implementing a non-compliant mode is notably more difficult than with email.

If one market partner supports AS4 and the other does not, the path switch just won’t happen. Both sides need valid certificates to even initiate any data exchange. No market partner can offer a non-compliant AS4 exchange as in the case of email communication. According to EDI@Energy regulations, communication via email is only allowed until March 31, 2024. Even in case of an error, there will be no fallback to email.

Use the time between 10/1/23 and 4/1/24 to get up to speed

The BNetzA has allocated a 6-month window for the transition and parallel operation phases. Even if you haven’t started preparations yet, there is still enough time to get up to speed and align with the new market communication AS4 standard by 4/1/2014. Take the first step today. Submit your request now.

What’s next for the energy industry? The roadmap after April 1, 2024

July,1st 2024 is a significant milestone, as the industry is expected to switch to AS4 for schedules (Fahrplandaten), assuming the deadline for market communication stays the same. For further information, read our blog post: AS4 switch in Market Communication: BRPs face unique challenges in future schedule management.
As for Redispatch 2.0, the timeline for the transition is currently unknown.