Smart meter data in Austria: The complete guide

Austria has largely completed its smart meter rollout. Around 97% of all electricity meters are now digital measuring devices that record consumption in 15-minute intervals. This gives Austria one of the highest smart meter penetration rates in Europe.

This guide explains what smart meters actually measure, what data is available, how businesses can access it, and what technical infrastructure lies behind it all.

What smart meters measure

A smart meter replaces the traditional Ferraris meter and offers significantly more than just a meter reading. The key measurements:

• Quarter-hourly values (15-minute intervals) — Energy consumption is measured in kWh every 15 minutes. This results in 96 data points per day per meter.
• Consumption and feed-in — Smart meters distinguish between electricity drawn from the grid and electricity fed into the grid (relevant for photovoltaic systems).
• Daily values — Aggregated daily consumption as the sum of quarter-hourly values.
• Peak demand — The highest measured power within a given time period.

The quarter-hourly values are the most valuable dataset. They enable detailed load profile analyses, consumption pattern recognition, and precise energy efficiency assessments.

Status of the smart meter rollout

The rollout of smart electricity meters in Austria was mandated by law and is largely complete:

• ~97% coverage — Nearly all household meters in Austria are smart meters (source: E-Control Monitoring 2024).
• 6.5+ million meters — The installed base comprises over 6.5 million devices.
• Over 120 grid operators — The meters are operated by over 120 distribution grid operators, from large companies like Wiener Netze to small municipal utilities.

By default, hourly values are transmitted. Quarter-hourly values are already available today via opt-in and will become the standard without requiring separate consent in the near future.

What data is available?

The smart meter data retrievable through the EDA network includes:

• Energy quantities in kWh — Consumption and, where applicable, feed-in per 15-minute interval
• Daily delivery — Previous day's data is typically available the following day
• Historical data — Depending on the grid operator, historical data can be retrieved retroactively, though the available time period varies
• Metering point master data — Information about the metering point such as identifier, grid area, and grid operator

Data quality is generally high, as measurement is taken directly at the calibrated meter. Gaps can occur when communication between the meter and grid operator is temporarily interrupted — these are typically backfilled.

Access for individuals

Private individuals have several options for accessing their own smart meter data:

• Grid operator's smart meter web portal — Each grid operator provides an online portal where consumers can view and download their own consumption data.
• Customer interface on the meter — Via the customer interface (P1/M-Bus), current values can be read using an adapter and the personal key (GUEK) from the grid operator.
• EDA-based services — Consumers can grant third-party providers access to their data via consent.

For an occasional look at your own consumption, the grid operator's web portal is sufficient. For systematic analyses or integration into other systems, an automated solution is needed.

Access for businesses

Businesses that want to use smart meter data in a commercial context face a different situation. Access is through the EDA network and requires:

1. Registration as a market participant — Companies must register as participants in the EDA network.
2. Technical infrastructure — Own communication endpoints must be operated that implement the EDA protocol standard.
3. Obtaining consent — For each meter whose data is to be retrieved, the consumer's consent must be obtained (CCM process).
4. Ongoing maintenance — Biannual protocol updates and maintenance of the communication infrastructure require continuous effort.

Alternatively, businesses can use a managed service that handles the EDA connection and provides the data through simpler interfaces — such as a REST API, webhooks, or CSV exports.

Use cases

Smart meter data forms the foundation for a wide range of applications:

Energy management

Companies and energy service providers use quarter-hourly values for load profile analyses, tariff optimization, and identifying savings potential. With 96 data points per day, consumption patterns can be precisely identified.

Building management

In building management , smart meter data enables automatic monitoring of energy consumption across a portfolio of properties. Deviations from normal consumption become immediately visible.

Energy consulting

Energy consultants can provide well-founded recommendations based on actual consumption data, rather than relying on estimates and annual bills. The quarter-hourly values show exactly when and how much energy is consumed.

Software development

Software developers can integrate energy data as a building block into their applications — for example, for energy management platforms, tenant apps, or ESG reporting tools.

Reporting and compliance

For reporting obligations in the areas of energy efficiency and ESG, smart meter data can provide a valuable data foundation — for example, for energy audits, sustainability reports, or documenting savings measures.

The technical infrastructure

Behind smart meter data access in Austria lies a multi-layered technical infrastructure:

• Smart meter devices — The physical meters in buildings that measure consumption and transmit it to the grid operator via PLC (Powerline Communication) or mobile networks.
• Grid operator systems — Each of the over 120 grid operators runs its own metering and data management systems.
• EDA communication platform — Message routing is handled by a central hub (SIA), which is based on the Ponton X/P communication software.
• Communication endpoints — Each EDA participant operates its own encrypted endpoints for receiving and sending messages.
• Consent management (CCM process) — A standardized process for managing consumer consents, handled through the grid operators' portals.

Communication uses industry-specific protocols (AS4/ebXML with XML schemas) , not standard web APIs. This makes direct access technically demanding and requires specialized software.

Challenges in data access

Despite the high smart meter penetration, there are challenges in practice:

• Fragmentation — Over 120 grid operators with different systems, response times, and idiosyncrasies.
• Consent duration — The CCM process takes 1-5 business days, depending on the grid operator. In individual cases, longer.
• Data format — Raw data comes in a specific XML format that must first be processed for most applications.
• Infrastructure costs — Building and operating your own EDA communication endpoints is cost-intensive.
• Regulatory changes — Biannual EDA releases require regular adjustments to your own systems.

Summary

Austria has one of the best smart meter infrastructures in Europe. The data is available, granular, and of high quality. However, access is organized through the regulated EDA network and is technically demanding.

For companies that want to integrate smart meter data into their processes or products, it is worth considering: Is it worth building your own EDA connection, or is a managed service the more efficient path? The answer depends on the use case, the number of meters, and the available technical resources.