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Glossary

All key terms about Smart Meters, energy data, and Austria's energy infrastructure — simply explained.

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EDA (Energy Data Exchange)

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.

Read more: What is the EDA Network? →

ElWG (Electricity Industry Act)

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.

Energy Community

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.

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Load Profile

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.

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Grid Operator (Distribution System Operator)

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.

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Opt-in / Opt-out

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.

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Smart Meter

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.

Read more: Smart Meter Data in Austria — a Guide →

Sommer-Sonnenrabatt (Summer Solar Discount)

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.

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T-1 Data Delivery

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.

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Quarter-Hourly Values (15-Minute Values)

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.

Read more: Smart Meter Data in Austria — a Guide →

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Metering Point (Metering Point Number)

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 →