Users in the energy and building management systems sectors need access to the energy sector’s digital infrastructure to implement new ideas. The Intelligent Metering System (iMSys) paves the way for this and serves as the central point of contact. A high degree of interoperability is crucial for making these new possibilities accessible to a broad user base. For this reason, PPC and EnQS have set up a test environment where application developers can test the iMSys compatibility and interoperability of their solutions.
Mannheim / Karlsruhe, September 11, 2023: Today’s, tomorrow’s, and the day after tomorrow’s applications —whether in the fields of submetering, e-mobility, or energy management—will require simple yet secure access to energy industry data. The Intelligent Metering System (iMSys) already fulfills this role today, with BSI-certified security for smart meter gateways (SMGWs). However, in this new environment, many users still lack practical experience in communicating with and through the iMSys to integrate it with their own applications. As an expert in interoperability testing for energy management systems, EnQS has further expanded its test environment for hardware and software functional testing related to iMSys. PPC supports this expansion with its expertise in the components and operation of the intelligent metering system. The focus is on tests to verify the data transmission of any devices and applications via the iMSys infrastructure to manufacturer-specific backends, as well as the secure transmission of energy-related data—such as control commands and setpoint specifications—via the CLS channel.
The key here is to establish the highest possible level of standards-based interoperability within the test environment. This ensures that all users have access to the smart metering system without being hindered by proprietary solutions or incompatible processes. Furthermore, the test environment provides the best possible representation of the reality of the future energy landscape, in which a wide variety of industries and products from diverse manufacturers will also interact seamlessly. The EnQS test environment also ensures a high degree of objectivity in the standardized quality assessment of tested products and process chains. This neutral, outside perspective provides valuable, high-quality product feedback not only for hardware manufacturers but especially for those product partners who wish to test or further develop their value-added services and applications.
Figure 1: Test Environment for Interoperable iMSys Applications
In previous projects, the collaboration has focused on systems in the areas of submetering, private charging infrastructure, and home energy management. This scope is to be expanded in the future to include additional devices and protocols from other manufacturers. On the one hand, control within the energy system is to be further enhanced; on the other hand, greater attention will be given to topics related to the heating sector, the transportation transition, and multi-utility metering. This test environment has already been successfully tested in several projects. Multi-utility metering providers have integrated their solutions here, and several EMS manufacturers have connected software or hardware components to the iMSys via CLS. Manufacturers of wall boxes, inverters, and heat pumps were able to interact with the iMSys via CLS software modules already implemented in the devices, thereby testing compliance with the interoperability requirements of the upcoming BSI guideline TR 03109-5.
These success stories are now set to continue, and by promoting interoperability, they will pave the way for a fully digitized real estate sector of the future and active management of flexibility potential in sector coupling.
“Interoperability is the essential building block for the success of smart metering systems in practice, particularly when integrated with energy management systems,” emphasizes Dr.-Ing. Birger Becker, founder of EnQS. “iMSys systems provide measurement data from existing metering devices and offer a secure connection to the backend via the standardized CLS channel. That is why we develop functional solutions at the EnQS Test Lab in collaboration with our partners, ensuring both practical applicability and interoperability.”
Karen Schmid, Senior Product Manager at CLS, explains the rationale behind PPC in this project. “As a manufacturer of SMGW and CLS devices, we provide a central and secure anchor point for communication between buildings, backend systems, and the energy sector. However, communication infrastructure is not an end in itself; it is only as good as the access enabled by its interfaces and integration with surrounding systems. That is why interoperability has always been a top priority at PPC. We are very pleased to have found a partner in EnQS that shares this conviction. Together, we will continue to promote interoperability within the iMSys ecosystem and simplify access to this secure digitalization platform for providers.”
Looking ahead, this means that the iMSys—as a central, interoperable security anchor within the building—presents a major opportunity to strengthen and further develop one’s own business models through integration into the energy market and energy grids. The technical hurdles that are often feared in this context are usually smaller and easier to overcome when tackled collaboratively than they would be when facing them alone. Connecting one’s own business model to the iMSys platform—which will be available in virtually every basement in the future—supports the scaling of innovative product and business model strategies. If you are interested in a test integration, the contact persons at both EnQS and PPC are available at any time.
