{"id":20727,"date":"2025-07-21T08:59:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T06:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/news\/elwg-check-2-0-neuerungen-fuer-energiespeicheranlagen\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T13:17:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T11:17:01","slug":"elwg-check-2-0-neuerungen-fuer-energiespeicheranlagen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/elwg-check-2-0-neuerungen-fuer-energiespeicheranlagen\/","title":{"rendered":"ElWG-Check 2.0: changes for energy storage facilities\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On July 4th, 2025, the <strong>review phase for the new Electricity Industry Act (ElWG)<\/strong> began. The aim is to comprehensively reform Austria\u2019s electricity market law and adapt it to EU requirements and technological developments. The new law is particularly relevant for <strong>operators of energy storage systems<\/strong> \u2013 from home batteries to large-scale industrial storage. Here\u2019s a look at the key changes in this important area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What will be considered an energy storage facility in the future?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ElWG clearly defines this in section\u202f6 (36): <strong>An energy storage facility<\/strong> is any system in which electrical energy is stored \u2013 for example, through temporal shifting (e.g., battery storage) <strong>or by converting<\/strong> it into a storable form of energy (e.g., hydrogen by means of electrolysis). Electric vehicles with bidirectional charging are also included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Operators are strengthened: storage = market players<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to section 82, <strong>all market participants<\/strong> will be allowed to operate energy storage facilities in the future. Storage facilities will <strong>not be classified as final consumers<\/strong>, thereby avoiding a double burden from grid fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is now also legal certainty for private individuals and SMEs: as long as the storage facility is used for self-supply, <strong>no approval is required under the ElWG<\/strong> \u2013 only potentially under the Trade Regulation Act (GewO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Deferring the final use of electricity to a moment later than when it was generated, or the conversion of electrical energy into a form of energy which can be stored, the storing of such energy, and the subsequent reconversion of such energy into electrical energy or use as another energy carrier&#8221;<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Energy storage&#8221; according to the ElWG<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Network operators: operating storage only in very exceptional cases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For network operators, <strong>operating storage is generally prohibited<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is only permitted in two clearly defined cases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>If no market-based alternatives are available<\/strong>, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>if it is a <strong>fully integrated network component<\/strong> \u2013 for example, to stabilize the network frequency within the seconds range.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approval by the regulatory authority is only required if no market-based alternatives exist (section 83 para. 2). In addition, section 84 of the Electricity Industry Act ensures that network operators clearly separate their roles: operating storage systems must not be mixed with regulated network business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal is clear: <strong>maintain market neutrality and promote fair competition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">System usage fees: exceptions possible<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Especially relevant for developers and innovation projects: Under section\u202f125, <strong>research and demonstration projects<\/strong> involving storage systems can be exempt from network charges. This is intended to create a potential incentive for new storage technologies and pilot projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Storage in the decentralized energy world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ElWG promotes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>active customers<\/strong> (section 60) who generate, store, and consume electricity,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>energy communities<\/strong> (sections 64-65), which may also operate storage facilities jointly,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>peer-to-peer contracts<\/strong> (section 62), in which storage plays a key role in temporal balancing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>shared use<\/strong> of storage facilities is permitted and encouraged by law. Additionally, the new <strong>billing points<\/strong> will significantly simplify the integration of storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion: Storage will be treated equally under the law \u2013 and significantly upgraded!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ElWG 2025 will <strong>upgrade<\/strong> <strong>battery storage and other forms of storage in legal and energy-economic terms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They will be recognized as independent market players.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operation by network operators remains strictly limited.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are key to flexibility and the integration of renewable energies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For operators, project developers, and private actors, this means greater clarity, fewer regulatory hurdles, and new opportunities in a decentralized, more flexible electricity system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The draft law is currently in the review phase. It remains to be seen what the final outcome of the parliamentary process will be<strong>, particularly with regard to storage facilities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In any case, we will continue to monitor current developments and keep you informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disclaimer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article is for general information only and does not replace legal advice. Haslinger \/ Nagele Rechtsanw\u00e4lte GmbH assumes no liability for the content and correctness of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cards-thumbs-round align-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"intro\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t      <h2 class=\"light\">Authors<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"item h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/team\/johannes-hartlieb\/\" \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t          target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t          Johannes Hartlieb\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t        <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t      Attorney-at-law\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"item h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/team\/alexander-gimona\/\" \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t          target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t          Alexander Gimona\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t        <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t      Legal Associate\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cards-thumbs-round align-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"intro\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t      <h2 class=\"light\">Further information on this legal field can be found here<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t<div class=\"col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"item h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Wind-Netze-Kombi_quadr1080_mit-3.png\" alt=\"Illustration 360\u00b0 Erneuerbare Energie\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/b\/360-erneuerbare-energie\/\" \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t          target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t          360\u00b0 Renewable Energy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t        <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Storage facilities such as battery storage systems are undergoing a significant upgrade thanks to the ElWG. We have the details.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":2656,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[163,123],"class_list":["post-20727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-360-renewable-energy","category-energy-industry"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Tanja Kobler","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20727"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20727\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2656"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}