Brief overview
Around four months after the launch of the maturity assessment procedure on the transmission grid pulls the distribution level After. Netze BW was the first major DSO to announce its own point-based allocation procedure for grid connections from 950 kW – application window starting November 1, 2026. At the same time, the Association of Northern German Energy and Water Industries (VNEW) is demanding a „proof of realization” for battery storage connections in the Northern German distribution grids. The legislator aims to use the Network packet provide a nationwide uniform basis later – but the legislative process is still ongoing.
From the transmission grid to the distribution level
With the maturity model process have the four transmission system operators (TSOs) replaced the so-called first-come, first-served principle for grid connection applications for large-scale battery storage systems since April 1, 2026? What initially only extra-high voltage level concerns, is now taking effect on the downstream distribution network level. Individual distribution system operators (DSOs) are developing their own procurement procedures based on the transmission system operator (TSO) model – independently of one another and with different time horizons. To date, there is no nationwide uniform regulation for DSOs.
Netze BW makes the start among the distribution networks
In mid-August 2026, Netze BW, the distribution system operator in Baden-Württemberg, became the first major DSO to present its own procurement procedure, developed jointly with the Baden-Württemberg Association for Energy and Water Management (VfEW) with the stated goal of broader deployment in southern Germany.
Triggers are massive capacity bottlenecks: Netze BW currently faces pending connection requests of more than 20 GW in the high-voltage and 2.2 GW in the medium-voltage grid—compared to a peak grid load of just 7.3 GW. More than 90 percent of the requests are for battery storage systems.
Scope and schedule
| Parameter | Regulation |
| Threshold | Grid connections and capacity increases from 950 kW in medium and high voltage |
| Affected systems | All stand-alone storage systems without exception, other large-scale systems |
| Excepted | Essential public services (Federal Armed Forces, fire department, emergency services, authorities), large-scale heat pumps, feed-in systems under 950 kW, green electricity storage (continues to be first-come, first-served basis) |
| First login window | November – December 31, 2026 |
| First award | expected March 2027, annually thereafter |
| Additional offer | around 30 flexible grid connection agreementsFCAs) in the first round |
The point model in the maturity level process
Unlike the TSO procedure with four equally weighted 25-percent categories, Netze BW uses a three-part 100-point model with a clear weighting in favor of pure project maturity:
- Project maturity (max. 50 points): Site securing, approval status or approval-free status, status of the transfer station
- Attachment to a specific location (max. 34 points): honors, among other things, planned expansions at existing locations
- Timeliness (max. 16 points): Bonus for already submitted or previously rejected applications to avoid disadvantaging them in the new system
Netze BW itself describes its own model as a „stripped-down version” of the TSO maturity assessment process – leaner in terms of the number of criteria, but identical in its basic principle: whoever can prove they have land, permits, and a technical concept gets priority when capacity is scarce.
Northern German distribution networks: Evidence of realization in the maturity level procedure
While Netze BW is already naming specific deadlines, development in northern Germany is still at an earlier stage. The Association of Northern German Energy and Water Industries (VNEW) is calling for the TSO practice to be applied to the local distribution grids and is demanding that storage project developers in future Proof of realization based on three criteria:
- secured area
- reliable financing
- advanced approval stage
This is justified by the blocking effect of immature projects. A storage project without secured land or financing reserves the same grid capacity as a project ready for construction—time that is lacking for the energy transition.
Remarkable is an additional aspect that plays no role in the TSO procedure. The VNEW links the discussion to the Controllability of the storage systems. Facilities that can be controlled to support the grid in bottleneck situations are welcome—storage systems that charge and discharge exclusively based on market price signals could on the other hand, even exacerbate peak loads. The association ties its appeal to operators to make their systems controllable to flexible grid connection agreements (FCAs)—a signal that storage operators should also consider their marketing strategy with an eye toward future connection procedures.
Specific deadlines or a point system have yet to be established for the northern German distribution grids. According to VNEW, the details are currently being coordinated. However, the direction is unmistakable: Maturity instead of sequence, even below the extra-high voltage level.
What PV and BESS project developers now need to consider
For practical application, three key statements can be made regarding the maturity assessment process for distribution networks:
- Purely EEG-subsidized PV systems are excluded. Smaller feed-in systems remain subject to the traditional EEG grid connection process and the first-come, first-served principle – this applies to both the Netze BW model and the TSO procedure.
- Large PV systems and BESS are coming into focus from the respective threshold values onwards. At Netze BW, this is 950 kW; other DSOs will define their own thresholds as soon as they introduce their own procedures.
- Co-location projects (PV + BESS) must consider the connection point in a differentiated manner. If the PV feed-in remains under the EEG regime while the storage or load share is considered an independent entity, only the storage share can become subject to maturity obligations – the shared grid connection point is then allocated via the new procedure, depending on the specific design, as soon as the responsible distribution system operator (DSO) tenders capacities in a bottleneck region.
For project developers, this means: Anyone planning grid connections from around 1 MW upwards in Baden-Württemberg today should reliably document site securing, permit status, and technical design in good time before the application window in November 2026. In other federal states, it is worth keeping a regular eye on the publications of the respective DNO – similar procedures are likely to follow in the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Maturity Assessment Procedure at the Distribution Grid Level
Does the Netze BW procedure also apply to smaller rooftop PV systems?
No. It exclusively affects grid connections and capacity increases of 950 kW and above, as well as all stand-alone storage systems. Smaller EEG feed-in systems and green electricity storage systems remain subject to the previous first-come, first-served principle.
Is the VNB maturity assessment procedure regulated uniformly nationwide?
No. Currently, every DSO is developing its own procedure; Netze BW is the most advanced with a concrete schedule. Legislative standardization is planned in the grid package, but has not yet been passed.
When does the first registration window open at Netze BW?
On November 1, 2026, with a submission deadline until December 31, 2026. The first capacity allocation is scheduled for March 2027.
What happens to grid connection requests that are already in progress?
Netz BW considers earlier or already submitted applications via the „early submission” category with up to 16 additional points in order not to disadvantage existing requests in the new system. However, a blanket transfer does not take place.
Does the procedure also apply to co-location projects involving PV and BESS?
That depends on the technical design of the grid connection point. If the PV feed-in remains assigned to EEG systems, the storage portion can nevertheless become subject to maturity requirements as a separate load-absorbing unit.
Sources
Netze BW / Association for Energy and Water Industry Baden-Württemberg (VfEW); Association of North German Energy and Water Industries (VNEW); pv magazine Germany; Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Grid Package draft bill).
As of August 2026 – information is subject to change without notice, as several of the mentioned procedures are still in development.