AS4-based market communication in the utilities sector

AS4 Market Communication from Arvato Systems Is Available to Th ga Smartservice Customers as Planned

G tersloh - Arvato Systems is ready for AS4-based market communication in the utilities sector. An open-shift environment was handed over to Th ga SmartService GmbH and its customers in accordance with the contract. This enables them to fulfill all requirements for AS4-based processes completely and with maximum scalability. Th ga SmartService can now successively draw further customers into AS4 communication.

Bastian Schwarz, Project Manager Service Market Communication (MaKo) at Arvato Systems, is delighted with the successful partnership. The collaborative solution is impressive, not least due to its ease of use and high scalability. For our SaaS-operated MaKo solution with connected hardware security modules, switching to AS4 is possible at the touch of a button. Thanks to the perfect interaction between the AS4 component and our MaKo solution, we were able to smoothly integrate the new processes into Th ga SmartServices existing system landscape. For customers and their market partners who have not yet opted for AS4, smooth parallel operation will be possible in our products.

We screened the market intensively before the collaboration - always with our customers needs in mind, emphasizes Dr. Alexander Ha denteufel, Managing Director at Th ga SmartService. In the end, the MaKo solution presented by Arvato Systems with connection to the AS4 components, combined with the necessary expertise for successful implementation, won us over.

The web service-based AS4 message protocol, the new technical standard for EDIFACT-based electronic market communication, raises data exchange to a new level of security. The new core element is the hardware security module (HSM), which must be operated encapsulated in a certified data center and is important for the encryption of market messages. Arvato Systems provides the hardware security modules in a high-performance, client-based cluster operation, while Th ga SmartService also provides the necessary AS4 certificates as a Sub Certification Authority (SubCA).

With the transition period of six months set by the Federal Network Agency, work has been taking place since October 1st, 2023, to implement the new market communication via AS4 on time. The change means that all regulated EDIFACT market processes can now be processed. These include, for example, GPKE, MPES, MaBiS and WiM and, further down the line, GeLi Gas, GaBi Gas, KoV and data exchange as part of the schedule processes in the electricity sector. Previously, these market messages were exchanged by encrypted e-mail or using the AS2 method (point-to-point connection via the Internet). The main advantages of AS4 include various security features such as digital signatures and attachment encryption on an HSM basis as well as the synchronous provision of digital receipts.

AS4 continues to be an important topic for the energy industry. The Federal Network Agency has defined the modalities for data exchange between balancing group managers and transmission system operators. Accordingly, the changeover phase for schedule management will begin on October 1, 2024, and must be completed by November 30, 2024. From December 1, 2024, communication will also only be permitted via the AS4 transmission path. Market communication for gas is also to be converted to AS4 on October 1, 2024. The conversion of market communication to AS4 is a major challenge for supply companies and is still causing uncertainty in many places, says Bastian Schwarz.

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