The platform that streamlines interactions between DSOs and LECs

Context

A new digital challenge for creating and managing communities.

The entry into force of the Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply Based on Renewable Energy Sources will enable the creation of LECs. This represents a major step towards more sustainable, decentralised energy production and consumption. These are due to be set up in early 2026, paving the way for citizen-driven energy transition and local energy developments.

LECs creations, changes, verification that technical criteria are met, and energy allocation rules are new processes to be defined and digitized. These processes are specific to LECs and differ from the current self-consumption solutions. Moreover, they require a strong integration with the DSO IT system - an area where OWT excels!

LEC creation and changes

Current processes for self-consumption solutions are often based on PDF forms shared via email. Eventually DSOs will have to install smart meters and change their IT systems to model the LEC and enable proper billing. If LECs are to be a success, the new processes need to be seamless, so that LEC creation requests are processed efficiently and within the deadlines defined by law.

Verification of technical criteria

LECs must meet some technical requirements, starting with the geographical location of grid connection points of LEC participants. However LEC members to not know the grid topology. Since DSOs are required by law to cooperate in the LEC creation process, it is advisable that a subset of the grid topology is published to streamline this process and empower LEC participants.

Energy allocation calculations between LEC participants

The regulation defines the billing principles within the LEC when the DSO is responsible for billing LEC members, but LECs can also organize themselves so that they bill their members. The DSO IT system must take this complexity into account and allow for all possible scenarios.

Data exchange between the DSO and the LEC for compliant billing

The DSO is obliged by law to make data available to LECs. This requires an efficient data exchange process, and smart and secure integration with the DSO IT system.

A single web platform to meet the requirements of the new regulation

Our solution combines three main advantages. First and foremost, it complies with the new LEC regulation. Moreover, it provides its users (DSO staff as well as LEC administrators) with an outstanding digital experience. And finally, it perfectly integrates with the DSO IT systems to automate processes end-to-end.

How we help our clients

Agnostic technology

We integrate easily into your existing IT ecosystem: metering chain (HES, MDM, EDM), billing system (SAP, Innosolv, other), or geographical information system (GIS).

100% Swiss experience

We uniquely combine our knowledge of the Swiss energy market, our understanding of the challenges faced by DSOs in adapting to regulatory change, and our UX expertise to deliver a platform that is perfectly tailored to local needs and regulations.

Scalable platform

Our solution is designed for LEC administrators and DSOs, primarily to meet their need to comply effectively with new legal obligations. It is also scalable, enabling energy suppliers to offer new services to prosumer members of LECs.

Benefits

Key benefits and functionalities for the DSO

LEC creation requests

Digitalization and automation of the CEL creation forms and request process
Sharing of useful grid data with prosumers to simplify LEC creations
Automation of the verification of technical criteria to validate LEC creation requests
Requests process monitoring and dashboards
Management of deadlines

LEC administration

Management of master data exchanges throughout the life cycle of the LEC, from creation to deletion.

Energy data management

Import consumption data from LEC participants
Calculate energy allocations

Calculation of billing determinants

Calculation of billing determinants and transmission to the DSO billing system

Key benefits and functionalities for LECs administrators

Free, comprehensive, valid throughout Switzerland

The portal is free for LEC administrators. It considerably simplifies LEC management being the single interface to the DSO, all over through Switzerland.

Simplified administration of LECs

The management of the LEC is entirely centralised and digitised from start to finish. This includes all stages: initial creation, addition of new members, move-out and move-in, changes to PV generation, installation of batteries, dismantlement of the LEC, compliance with regulatory deadlines, and changes to internal billing rules.

Your data, at all times, in complete security

LEC data belongs exclusively to its members. Except for information which DSO must have access to, it is crucial that data privacy is assured, be it administrative data, energy consumption data or billing data. This data is available securely and at any time via a user-friendly interface.

Get in touch with our expert

César Gallego

Associate Partner,
Head of Energy Practice

César Gallego is Associate Partner at OWT, in charge of the Energy practice and leads multiple transformation projects resulting from the energy transition and the digitalization of the energy sector. Before joining OWT, César held a senior management position by one of the largest Swiss electrical utilities. César started his career in the global telecommunications industry advising multinational firms from multiple verticals on their digital transformation journeys, and delivering large ICT infrastructure managed services projects in the areas of networking, IoT, cybersecurity, cloud and collaboration. He holds a MSc degree in electrical engineering and a PhD degree from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne (EPFL), and an Executive Certificate of Advanced Studies in Strategies and Innovation from the International Institute of Management in technology from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.