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All key terms about Smart Meters, energy data, and Austria's energy infrastructure — simply explained.
A
A messaging protocol based on the OASIS ebMS 3.0 standard for secure, encrypted, and certificate-based data exchange between market participants in the EDA network. AS4 governs how consumption data, master data, and consent messages are transmitted between grid operators and authorized third parties.
C
The consent of an end customer allowing an authorized third party to access their Smart Meter data via the EDA network. Consent is granted through the online portal of the responsible grid operator and can be revoked at any time. The process is GDPR-compliant and standardized, specifying exactly which data at which granularity is transmitted to which market participant.
E
The Austrian regulatory authority for the electricity and gas market. E-Control monitors competition, publishes market statistics — including the official Smart Meter rollout figures — and implements regulatory requirements. The figures cited in ElWG articles (6.53 million Smart Meters, 96.9% coverage) come from E-Control statistics.
Austria's central infrastructure for the standardized exchange of energy data between market participants. Over 120 grid operators and more than 300 participants are connected to the EDA network. It is based on the AS4 protocol (OASIS standard) and enables consent-based data exchange — from consumption data to master data to market communication.
Austria's new Electricity Industry Act, passed on December 11, 2025. It makes quarter-hourly values the standard (opt-out instead of opt-in), creates new market roles such as aggregators and flexibility service providers, and regulates shared energy use. The ElWG is the legal foundation for the next phase of the energy transition in Austria.
A legal construct that allows multiple parties to share locally generated renewable energy. Members can share solar electricity within buildings, neighborhoods, or regions. Various forms exist: Renewable Energy Communities (EEG), Citizen Energy Communities (BEG), and contractual joint energy use.
L
A time series of energy consumption or feed-in values, typically in 15-minute intervals. Load profiles are used for billing, forecasting, and optimizing energy consumption. In Austria, Smart Meters deliver this data automatically — at the highest available resolution when quarter-hourly values are activated.
N
The operator of the local electricity distribution grid. Responsible for operating Smart Meters, collecting data, and providing measurement data via the EDA network. There are over 120 distribution system operators in Austria — from large regional utilities to small municipal operators. The grid operator is the central data hub for all end-customer data.
The fee charged to all electricity customers for using the electricity distribution grid, paid to their grid operator. The grid usage fee is a fixed component of the electricity bill and is regulated by E-Control. The Sommer-Sonnenrabatt reduces this fee by 20% from April to September (10:00–16:00), provided quarter-hourly values are active at the metering point.
O
Models for activating quarter-hourly value transmission on Smart Meters. Under the previous model (opt-in), customers had to actively request transmission from the grid operator — only about 12.6% did so. Under the new ElWG, opt-out applies: quarter-hourly values are active by default. Customers can deactivate the finer granularity if they wish.
S
A digital electricity meter that records consumption in 15-minute intervals and transmits the data remotely to the grid operator. 6.53 million Smart Meters are installed in Austria — a coverage of 96.9%. Smart Meters replace the old analog Ferraris meters and are the technical foundation for energy communities, dynamic tariffs, and data-driven energy services.
A 20 percent discount on grid usage fees from April to September, between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The Sommer-Sonnenrabatt incentivizes consumption during periods of high solar production. Prerequisite: quarter-hourly values must be active at the metering point for the discount to be applied automatically.
T
Data delivery with a one-day delay. Smart Meter consumption data from day X is available on day X+1. T-1 delivery is the standard in the EDA network, meaning authorized third parties automatically receive the previous day's measurement data daily — as long as an active consent exists.
V
Energy consumption or feed-in values measured every 15 minutes. The standard granularity for Smart Meter data in Austria. Under the new ElWG, quarter-hourly values become the default — with priority for PV system owners, heat pump users, and energy community members. Since April 2025, authorized third parties automatically receive the smallest available granularity.
Z
The unique 33-digit identifier (starting with 'AT') for every electricity metering point in Austria. The metering point number identifies the location in the grid, not the physical device — when a meter is replaced, the number stays the same. Each energy flow direction (consumption, feed-in) has its own metering point. The number is the key for data exchange via the EDA network.
Read more: Metering Point Number — What It Is and Where to Find It →