Apr. 2, 2024 – The implementation of the AS4 (Applicability Statement 4) message protocol for market communication in the electricity sector, as required by the Federal Network Agency, was successfully rolled out on the powercloud platform on 1 April.
The AS4 message protocol for the exchange of data and documents between trading partners is considered particularly secure and has been mandatory for the electricity sector since 1 April. powercloud has provided the necessary regulatory compliance with its partners on schedule:
‘In line with our quality and service standards, we have rolled out AS4 regulatory compliance. The solution meets all national and international security standards. Users of powercloud who use powerApp AS4 can rest assured that our solution continues to meet all regulatory requirements,’ said Daniel Zeiske, CPO at powercloud.
Customers switch to AS4 by using the powerApp AS4 from powerApp partner CONUTI GmbH. Market messages from market partners are transferred back and forth to powercloud via AS4 and then API communication, analogous to the technical infrastructure. The complex verification, request and management of certificates for AS4 is handled in this process by procilon GmbH, a specialist in the development of cryptographic software technology.
The switch to AS4 shifts the communication channel to powerApp AS4. EDI conversion, acknowledgement and technical processing remain core functions of powercloud. procilon’s highly scalable proTECTr AS4 Cloud platform is seamlessly integrated in the background and provides all components, including AS4 sending and receiving, market partner management, HSM, certificate handling, monitoring, etc. Nothing changes in the familiar use of powercloud.
However, AS4 will be followed by AS4, and the billing specialists at powercloud are already looking ahead to the transition from AS4 in the gas sector. This is expected to take place in parallel operation on 1 October 2024 and to become mandatory on 1 April 2025.