The European message format for the gas market

Edig@s is a comprehensive electronic data interchange (EDI) format for the commercial information exchange by electronic means between partners involved in the European gas industry. 

Widely recognised and used by the industry, Edig@s had become the de facto electronic message format for gas information exchange.

Why Edig@s? 

Participants in the European gas market need to exchange electronically a significant amount of data and documents in order to do business with each other and to ensure a smooth functioning of the market.

Countries use different formats for this data exchange, which means that gas players operating in more than one country need to put in place different IT solutions. Having to deal with different standards and solutions can be very time-consuming and costly and it can therefore become a technical trade barrier.

The Edig@s electronic business format was developed by the industry to address these challenges and is based on a general description of the gas market in the EU and on existing examples in the deregulated market. Edig@s covers the major gas processes and responds to the needs of the major user segments (Traders, Shippers, TSOs, DSOs, Producers).

The Edig@s specifications make use of internationally recognised information interchange standards such as UN/EDIFACT and XML. Edig@s is freely available and easy to implement.

Download Edig@s Version 6

Included in the EU network codes on interoperability and data exchange rules

The European Commission recognised the value that the use of Edig@s can bring for the harmonisation of the European gas market. The EU Regulation on network codes on interoperability and data exchange rules lists Edig@s as the data format to be used for the nomination and matching process.

Key benefits

By using Edig@s, companies will:

• Reduce their IT costs

• Simplify the handling of their gas portfolio

• Save time as IT development is no longer necessary

• Become a part of a European network of gas players using Edig@s and easily start engaging in cross-border business with them

Ten information exchange processes covered

1. Capacity Trading Process
2. Gas Trading Process
3. Nomination and Matching Process
4. Settlement Process
5. Balancing Process
6. Transparency Process
7. Facility setting Process
8. General Service Processes
9. REMIT (EU Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency) implementation process
10. Market balancing process

For a better understanding of how the protocol can be used by companies, please have a look at these simplified working scenarios explaining the steps to be taken and the Edig@s processes to be implemented for certain business situations.

To find out more and to download the different core components and code lists, please visit the Edig@s website.

Download Edig@s Version 6

A long history

It all started back in 1983 when Distrigas (Belgium), Gaz de France (France), Ruhrgas (Germany) and Gasunie (The Netherlands) decided to work together on a protocol for sending and receiving operational data and messages between dispatching centers. The protocol, known as the GASNET-Protocol, was soon adopted by 10 more national and international companies. However, its increased use generated a high number of messages and additional complexity and the need for a more international standard for communication started to be felt.

As a result, a working group was created in order to analyse the different messages and come up with a proposal for an international standard. In 1996, the group chose EDIFACT, the Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport developed by the United Nations, as a standard and started working on adapting it to the needs of the gas sector.

This work has continued over the years and is continuing today as part of EASEE-gas. The EASEE-gas’ Message and Workflow Design Working Group is responsible for the maintenance and further development of this de facto standard.

 

Edig@s Version 5 and 6 Comparison

Edig@s is a Registered Trademark