The German government's current draft bill to amend the Energy Industry Act provides for the Metering Point Operation Act (MsbG) to be further developed and the market integration of small prosumer systems to be expanded. The mandatory smart meter rollout is to be supplemented by a control rollout, as metering alone will not make the electricity system more flexible.

This is also about the cost-benefit ratio for metering point operators and end customers. The amendment also focuses on the direct marketing of smaller renewable energy systems. The draft provides for simplified regulations and a reform of the remuneration structures. This will create new opportunities for operators of prosumer plants to increase their earnings and at the same time contribute to making the electricity system more flexible.
However, the entire amendment is under a bad star due to the break-up of the traffic light government. How can it continue? What would be good and what needs further revision? We talk about this with Bernhard Strohmayer, Head of Renewable Energies at bne – Bundesverband Neue Energiewirtschaft e.V.

Timeline:

• 01:11 In October, before the end of the traffic light coalition, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK) presented its draft bill to amend energy industry law. The Metering Point Operation Act (MsbG) is also affected. What is the MsbG about?
• 07:27 Why was the MsbG revised and what are the main innovations in the draft bill?
• 09:09 In its statement, the bne says that the changes “are not only a step backwards in terms of digitalization, but now represent a real security risk for the electricity system.” Why is that the case?
• 16:53 Another focus of the amendment is on the direct marketing of smaller renewable energy systems. What is this about and what are the planned changes?
• 23:33 What will happen to the draft law now that the traffic light government has broken up? Will it be passed in this form? And if so, when?

About The smarter E Podcast

The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our moderators Tobias Bücklein and Zackes Brustik welcome and interview personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published every Thursday.

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About Bernhard Strohmayer and the bne

The bne is the leading voice of a truly new energy industry. For over 20 years, the bne has successfully represented the interests of its members to politicians, the media and the public. Its members work in the areas of generation, digitalization and flexibilization as well as sector coupling. The focus is on the harmony of energy generation, biodiversity and agriculture.

Bernhard Strohmayer joined the office of the Federal Association of the New Energy Industry as Head of Renewable Energies on April 1, 2020. The engineer moved from the German Renewable Energy Federation, where he held the position of Energy Markets and Mobility Officer from 2016 to 2020.

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