04/24/2023
Source: Energy & Management Powernews
Now that the law to restart the digitization of the energy transition has been passed by the Bundestag, it only needs to pass the Bundesrat on May 12. May pass the Bundesrat.
The broad, bipartisan consensus does justice to the importance of the digitization of the energy industry, says Ingo Schönberg. Acknowledging, the CEO of Power Plus Communications AG explains, "Minister Habeck has delivered on the topic of debureaucratization of the Metering Point Operation Act (MsbG) and set the course for 15 million installation cases by 2030." Like other voices from the energy industry and its environment, however, the head of the smart meter gateway manufacturer still urges the removal of obstacles, especially in the calibration law and the so-called price cap there is still need for action. "But there I trust the BMWK," says Schönberg, referring to the agility inherent in the Digitalization Act.
At a hearing in the Committee for Climate and Energy on March 15 of this year, experts had already pointed out possible hurdles for the smart meter rollout. Mark Becker-von Bredow, Head of the Electrification and Climate Division at the German Electrical and Digital Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI), had explained that additional approvals were currently required from the responsible state calibration authorities for software updates to smart meter gateways. It should be examined whether such updates could not be accelerated. This would be the case if, for example, the certificates of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the type examination certificates of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt were sufficient for already installed smart meter gateways, analogous to new devices.
Adjustments in the calibration law demanded
In addition to editorial changes that found their way into the bill after the hearing, the coalition parties have still anchored a "deferral of the calibration period applicable to smart meter gateways" in the text. Previously, this was limited to eight years. This limitation does not sufficiently take into account the advantages of digitization, according to the justification. It goes on to say, "The Bundestag notes that an adjustment of the measurement and calibration law in a separate legislative procedure flanking the draft bill to relaunch the digitization of the energy transition offers considerable further potential for accelerating and de-bureaucratizing the rollout of smart metering systems."
The law has met with both approval and criticism from the Association of Municipal Companies (VKU). The broad approval in the Bundestag for the bill to relaunch the digitization of the energy transition is an important signal for an efficient energy transition, says Ingbert Liebing. Despite all the advantages, the utilities would miss concrete details on the financing of the smart meter rollout in the text of the law, says the CEO of VKU.
"Specifically, it is about the refinancing of the costs associated with the rollout for the network operators. In the worst case, they will only be reimbursed for part of their costs and will have to wait until 2029 for their expenses to be refinanced," Liebing emphasizes. Here, clarity must be created quickly through the Federal Network Agency's additional authority to define the law. Liebing recalls that the VKU and other associations have already urgently demanded this addition during the hearing.
In addition, the price ceilings for installation and operation of smart metering systems should be adjusted. Because the amounts currently provided, to which the fees of the metering point operators are limited, go back to a benefit-cost analysis on smart metering from 2013. "In order to ensure economic planning security for the companies significantly implementing the rollout - the network operators - the costs incurred by the network operator must be recognized in full and without delay," demands The VKU CEO. Otherwise, the practical implementation of the draft law would not be possible.
The draft law to relaunch the digitization of the energy transition, which was approved by the federal cabinet in January, was passed by the Bundestag on April 20, 2023, with the votes of the coalition parties SPD, Greens and FDP and with the approval of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. The AfD and the Left Party voted against. The legislative process is to be concluded with the Bundesrat session on May 12 this year.
Author: Fritz Wilhelm
Accessibility
Language
