Brief overview
The Market location (MaLo) is the point on the network relevant for billing and accounting, where electricity is drawn or supplied. An 11-digit MaLo ID identifies it. The Measurement location (MeLo) is the physical location of the actual measurement, i.e. the meter itself – identified by a 33-digit MeLo ID. A market location can include multiple measurement locations.
Definition of market location
On February 1, 2018, the Federal Network Agency introduced the terms market location and measurement location as mandatory elements in the framework of the determination of the so-called interim model (BK6-16-200, decision of December 20, 2016). Since then, they have replaced previous and inconsistently used numbering point designations (ZPB), such as counting point, delivery point, withdrawal point, or dispensing point.
The market location is a purely accounting and billing construct. It refers to the point in the network at which energy is drawn or supplied – regardless of how the actual measurement is technically performed. It is identified through the Mark location identification number (MaLo-ID), an 11-digit number. The first digit indicates the issuing point (1–3 for DVGW/Gas, 4–9 for BDEW/Electricity), followed by a unique identifier and a verification number. The MaLo ID is issued by the responsible network operator. It remains unchanged throughout the life of the market location – even in the event of a network operator change or a meter replacement.
In addition, the market location is the central reference point for supplier changes, network usage billing, and balance sheet reporting. According to § 40, paragraph 2, no. 3 of the EnWG, the billing point designation of the market location must be indicated on each electricity bill.
Important for PV system operatorsWhen a property generates and consumes electricity at the same time (e.g., in a PV system), it usually requires two separate MaLo IDs – one for grid connection (consumption MaLo) and one for feed-in (feed-in MaLo).
Definition of measuring location
The measuring location is the opposite of that. Place of the actual, physical measurement. The BDEW defines it as “the place where energy is measured”. This includes all the technical devices that are required to determine and transmit the measurement values. At its core, this includes electricity or gas meters.
The location of the measurement is identified via the Measurement location identification number (MeLo-ID), The Messstellenbetreiber (MSB) assigns this number to the measuring station operator (gMSB, usually identical to the network operator). There are also competing measuring station operators (wMSB). The MeLo-ID is a 33-digit alphanumeric identifier that begins with “DE”. If a property has several meters or measuring points, each of them is considered an independent measuring location.
Relationship between market and measuring location
In practice, the marking location and the measuring location are usually in a ratio of 1:1, but the system is also designed for more complex cases. For example, it is common for the situation to arise where several market locations at one measuring location The electricity is connected to several commercially separate customers via only one physical meter. If, for example, the caretaker apartment or the externally operated canteen on the operating premises are also supplied, the measured amount is calculated over synthetic load profiles and distributed to the respective market locations accordingly. This is when the Third-party quantity delimitation.
The reverse case is also possible. In this case, several measurement locations feed into a single market location. These so-called location bundles often arise during expansion projects such as new production lines, the construction of halls, or other new developments on the company's premises.
For operators of PV systems and Battery storage What is relevant is primarily a different configuration. A property generates and consumes electricity simultaneously; as a rule, two separate market locations (the consumption-metering location and the supply-metering location) are created, each of which can have its own measurement location.
Legal and regulatory framework
Market location and measurement location are not self-serving terms; they are the backbone of German economic policy. Market communication (MaKo) in the energy sector. They are the basis for standardized electronic data exchange between grid operators, suppliers, and metering station operators.
Central process control systems that build on MaLo/MeLo:
- GPKE (Business processes for supplying electricity to customers) – regulates supplier changes, sign-ups and sign-offs based on the market location.
- MPES (Market processes for generating electricity in market locations) – specifically relevant for feed-in market locations, i.e., for PV and other generation facilities.
- WiM Strom (Change processes in the measurement system electricity) – regulates the change of the measurement station operator between measurement locations.
- MaBiS (Market processes for the balance sheet reporting stream) – aggregated measurement values at the market location level for the balance sheet reporting stream.
Important BNetzA regulations along the timeline:
- BK6-16-200 (Interim model, Decision of 20.12.2016): Introduction of the MaLo ID, binding from February 1, 2018.
- BK6-18-032 (“MaKo 2020”, 20.12.2018): Shift of the aggregation responsibility for intelligent metering systems from the distribution network operator to the transmission network operator.
- BK6-21-282 (“Security of electronic market communication electricity”, 31.3.2022): Requires AS4 web services and the BSI Smart Metering PKI for future messaging.
On a technical level, the actual data exchange between the market roles takes place via standardized protocols. EDIFACT-News formats, first and foremost UTILMD (Data exchange, including MaLo-/MeLo-assignment), MSCONS (Transmission of the measurement values) and APERAK (Error messages). These formats are regularly updated via a BNetzA notification – the most relevant currently is Communication No. 54 from October 1, 2025. It establishes revised, cross-departmental news type versions that have been in effect since then. April 1st, 2026 apply.
Legal anchoring: Section 40, paragraph 2, no. 3 of the EnWG require suppliers to indicate the meter reading point of the market location on each electricity bill.
Influence of the measurement and market location on the operation of PV systems and BESS
If a property not only consumes electricity but also generates and feeds it back into the grid, a distinction between the market and measurement locations is also practically crucial. The measurement concepts must be adapted and Bidirectional meter be integrated.
Feed-in MaLo vs. Drawdown MaLo
When a market location generates and consumes energy simultaneously – for example, a company with a photovoltaic rooftop system – there is usually two separate market locations. One is the consumption or draw-off measurement for the connection to the grid, and the other is the input measurement for the PV energy fed into the grid. However, both are often measured by a single measuring location Technically captured. Here, the two-way counter at the network connection point is able to record the feed and the input separately.
Boundary to the intermediate counter
Within the property – for example to split consumption between self-consumption from PV systems, battery storage, and individual consumers or rental units – additional systems are often installed. electricity submeter for use. These are however regulatory no own measuring locations in the MaKo sense. You generally do not receive your own MeLo ID and are not required to report to the meter operator as long as they only serve the internal, informational consumption distribution. A separate market and metering location becomes relevant only when a sub-unit itself becomes an independent market process. This is the case, for example, in the case of a Tenant electricity model or the Community building services (GGV) the case.
The MaLo-/MeLo structure of a property has a direct impact on how grid connection, feed-in and storage utilization are measured, accounted for, and economically marketed. A suitable measurement concept thus creates the basis for a flexible and, as far as possible, revenue-optimizing management of the battery storage system. This must be taken into account already at the planning stage.
Comparison table: Market location vs. measurement location
| Market location (MaLo) | Measurement location (MeLo) | |
| ID format | 11-digit number (1st digit = issuing point: 1–3 DVGW/Gas, 4–9 BDEW/Electricity, followed by identification + testing number) | 33-digit alphanumeric identifier, starting with “DE” |
| Jurisdiction | Award by the network operator | Assignment by the measurement station operator (gMSB or wMSB) |
| Purpose | Accounting and balance sheet reference point: Basis for supplier changes, network usage and balance sheet reporting | Technical measurement point: Recording and transmission of actual meter readings / measurement values |
| Example | Feed-in-MaLo of a PV system | Two-way counter at the network connection point, the reference and feed-in are technically recorded |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the market location and the measurement location?
The mark location (MaLo) is the commercial and balance sheet reference point in the network, from which energy is drawn or supplied. It is the basis for billing and supplier changes. The measurement location (MeLo), on the other hand, is the physical location of the actual measurement, i.e., the meter itself.
What do I need the MaLo ID for?
The MaLo ID is needed primarily when changing suppliers, entering into a contract, and on the electricity bill, as it enables the unambiguous assignment of the consumption or feed-in point. It can be found on the electricity or feed-in bill of the network operator.
Can a market location have multiple measuring locations?
Yes, the system is basically designed for more complex situations, such as in location clusters or temporarily during a meter changeover. However, the reverse case is more frequently documented in practice. This occurs when several market locations are located at a single metering location, for example when a building has only one physical meter but several commercially separate customers.
Does a PV system need its own market location?
Yes. A property generates and consumes electricity at the same time; as a rule, two separate market locations are created – a consumption meter for grid connection and an injection meter for PV injection. Both are often recorded via a common measurement location, the bidirectional meter.