Definition of market location<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u2013 regardless of how the actual measurement is technically performed. It is identified through the Mark location identification number (MaLo-ID)<\/strong>, an 11-digit number. The first digit indicates the issuing point (1\u20133 for DVGW\/Gas, 4\u20139 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 \u2013 even in the event of a network operator change or a meter replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, the market location is the central reference point for supplier changes, network usage billing, and balance sheet reporting. According to \u00a7 40, paragraph 2, no. 3 of the EnWG, the billing point designation of the market location must be indicated on each electricity bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Important for PV system operators<\/strong>When a property generates and consumes electricity at the same time (e.g., in a PV system), it usually requires two separate MaLo IDs \u2013 one for grid connection (consumption MaLo) and one for feed-in (feed-in MaLo).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The measuring location is the opposite of that. Place of the actual, physical measurement<\/strong>. The BDEW defines it as \u201cthe place where energy is measured\u201d. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The location of the measurement is identified via the Measurement location identification number (MeLo-ID)<\/strong>, 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 \u201cDE\u201d. If a property has several meters or measuring points, each of them is considered an independent measuring location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/strong> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For operators of PV systems<\/a> and Battery storage<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Market location and measurement location are not self-serving terms; they are the backbone of German economic policy. Market communication (MaKo)<\/strong> in the energy sector. They are the basis for standardized electronic data exchange between grid operators, suppliers, and metering station operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Central process control systems that build on MaLo\/MeLo:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Important BNetzA regulations along the timeline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n On a technical level, the actual data exchange between the market roles takes place via standardized protocols. EDIFACT<\/strong>-News formats, first and foremost UTILMD<\/strong> (Data exchange, including MaLo-\/MeLo-assignment), MSCONS<\/strong> (Transmission of the measurement values) and APERAK<\/strong> (Error messages). These formats are regularly updated via a BNetzA notification \u2013 the most relevant currently is Communication No. 54<\/strong> from October 1, 2025. It establishes revised, cross-departmental news type versions that have been in effect since then. April 1st, 2026<\/strong> apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legal anchoring: Section 40, paragraph 2, no. 3 of the EnWG<\/strong> require suppliers to indicate the meter reading point of the market location on each electricity bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a> be integrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a market location generates and consumes energy simultaneously \u2013 for example, a company with a photovoltaic rooftop system \u2013 there is usually two separate market locations<\/strong>. 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<\/strong> Technically captured. Here, the two-way counter at the network connection point is able to record the feed and the input separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Within the property \u2013 for example to split consumption between self-consumption from PV systems, battery storage, and individual consumers or rental units \u2013 additional systems are often installed. electricity submeter<\/a> for use. These are however regulatory no own measuring locations<\/strong> 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<\/a> or the Community building services (GGV)<\/a> the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes. A property generates and consumes electricity at the same time; as a rule, two separate market locations are created \u2013 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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What is the difference, and what do PV and BESS operators need? The article explains the most important terms and shows why the MaLo\/MeLo structure is crucial for metering concepts, balancing, and the economic management of PV systems and BESS.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":395,"featured_media":34351,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grundlagen-technik"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDefinition of measuring location<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Relationship between market and measuring location<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cubeconcepts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Schema-Messlokation-Lokationsbuendel-1024x304.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cubeconcepts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Schema-Marktlokation-Unternehmen-1024x595.jpg\")
Legal and regulatory framework<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Influence of the measurement and market location on the operation of PV systems and BESS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Feed-in MaLo vs. Drawdown MaLo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Boundary to the intermediate counter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Comparison table: Market location vs. measurement location<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/td> Market location (MaLo)<\/strong><\/td> Measurement location (MeLo)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> ID format<\/td> 11-digit number (1st digit = issuing point: 1\u20133 DVGW\/Gas, 4\u20139 BDEW\/Electricity, followed by identification + testing number)<\/td> 33-digit alphanumeric identifier, starting with \u201cDE\u201d<\/td><\/tr> Jurisdiction<\/td> Award by the network operator<\/td> Assignment by the measurement station operator (gMSB or wMSB)<\/td><\/tr> Purpose<\/td> Accounting and balance sheet reference point: Basis for supplier changes, network usage and balance sheet reporting<\/td> Technical measurement point: Recording and transmission of actual meter readings \/ measurement values<\/td><\/tr> Example<\/td> Feed-in-MaLo of a PV system<\/td> Two-way counter at the network connection point, the reference and feed-in are technically recorded<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the difference between the market location and the measurement location?<\/summary>\n
What do I need the MaLo ID for?<\/summary>\n
Can a market location have multiple measuring locations?<\/summary>\n
Does a PV system need its own market location?<\/summary>\n