Germany approves rules for storage, bidirectional charging

Germany’s Federal Network Operator (Bundesnetzagentur) has approved long-awaited rules for the market integration of electricity storage systems and charging points (MiSpeL). The rules create the conditions for more flexible use of storage systems in the electricity market while preserving eligibility for support for renewable electricity stored in batteries. Bidirectional charging points will generally be treated in the same way as electricity storage systems.

Until now, supported renewable electricity and grid electricity generally had to be kept separate in storage systems. Under MiSpeL, storage systems can now also take electricity from the grid and feed it back into the grid later without losing eligibility for support for the renewable electricity stored in the battery. For electricity previously drawn from the grid and later fed back, the rules also provide for balancing. This means that lower levies and network charges will apply to the corresponding electricity volumes drawn from the grid.

The aim is to allow storage systems to respond more flexibly to market prices on both the consumption and generation sides. For example, they can take electricity from the grid when prices are low and feed it back into the grid when prices are higher. The same generally applies to bidirectional charging points for electric vehicles.

MiSpeL provides 2 options for distinguishing between eligible renewable electricity and grid electricity subject to balancing. The delineation option is generally available to all users and allows the respective electricity volumes to be determined precisely. It normally requires 2 meters, although 1 meter is sufficient in some cases.

For households with PV systems of up to 30 kW, the flat-rate option provides a simplified alternative. 1 meter should generally be sufficient. However, the application of this option is still subject to approval by the European Commission under state-aid rules.

Following the consultation, the Bundesnetzagentur made further changes to the rules. In September, automakers and energy companies, among others, criticized the proposed design of the flat-rate option, saying it could make bidirectional charging more difficult. The agency said the final rules make the simplifications and flat-rate calculations for charging points easier to use.

MiSpeL can also be used with unsubsidized renewable energy systems and even without on-site generation.

Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft (BSW-Solar), Germany’s solar industry association, welcomed the decision. Managing Director Carsten Körnig described MiSpeL as a long-awaited regulatory key for using renewable and grid electricity simultaneously with battery storage. The association said storage systems combined with generation assets or consumers can make better use of their flexibility and existing grid capacity. It said the focus now is on network and metering operators implementing the new rules quickly.

Battery storage provider Voltfang said it also sees new opportunities, particularly for commercial and industrial storage systems and co-location projects. CEO David Oudsandji said storage systems could be used both to reduce electricity procurement costs and for electricity trading. In co-location projects, batteries could also use existing grid connections for solar and wind farms.

Network and metering operators have until the end of September 2027 to implement the rules. During the transition period, MiSpeL can already be applied if network and metering operators agree.

The Bundesnetzagentur published an advanced working version in early August and said it planned to finalize the rules on Oct. 1. The version already included the delineation and flat-rate options, as well as various changes resulting from the consultation.

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