Three Inspiring Days — E-world Energy & Water 2024

March 5, 2024

E-world Energy & Water 2024 in Essen came to a close on Thursday, February 22, with record numbers, following a few somewhat quieter years. The trade show was vibrant, well-attended, and busier than it had been in a long time—it set a new record with 923 exhibitors from 30 countries and approximately 30,000 trade visitors. The aisles were packed, the booths were well-attended, and the exhibitors’ schedules were jam-packed, confirming once again that the industry is on the rise.

We’d like to say “Thank you” to all our customers, partners, friends, and colleagueswho visited us during the trade show.

We were very happy about the exchange at and seeing so many new and familiar faces.

Everyone is talking about Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG)

The Federal Network Agency’s ruling on Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and the publication of TR 03109-5 have shaped the discussions and kept all stakeholders—from manufacturers to tradespeople—engaged. These documents establish the framework for grid-optimized control and define the requirements for the security and interoperability of control and submetering solutions.

A key focus for us was therefore the technical implementation of these requirements using our control solutions via the CLS control unit, via a control box, or directly from the SMGW.

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PPC’s Key Topics at E-world 2024 3 Ways to Control It Whether via a control box, directly from the SMGW, or through an EMS via a CLS device: Our solutions are ready to meet the requirements of Section 14a. We operate according to open standards and offer maximum interoperability. We can connect all control boxes and implement your EMS directly on our CLS device. For control from within the SMGW, the EEBUS protocol specifies all necessary standards. This means our solutions are ready to handle all aspects of control, whether grid-oriented or market-oriented. Scale Efficiently During Rollout with the SMGW 2 With extensive experience and proven digital processes. Together with our partners, we have been successfully rolling out our solutions since 2018. To date, we have delivered over 700,000 SMGWs. Concerns about procurement during the rollout? A thing of the past! We offer future-proof components and state-of-the-art production lines in our new, carbon-neutral production facility, which has a production capacity of > 1 million SMGWs per year. Need to scale up quickly during the rollout? Stay calm! We’ve established highly efficient, digitized support and delivery processes and are constantly refining them. Get the rollout off to a flying start with our Smart Meter Gateway 2. The SMGW 2 is THE powerful and future-proof platform for the rollout. This new generation supports all known functions, is fully interoperable and completely (re-)certified, and is available in LTE, LTE450, BPL, and Ethernet variants. First Safety Certification in the CLS Sector The BSI TR-03109-5 (TR-5) standards provide important guidelines for the energy transition by clarifying interoperability and security requirements and promoting end-user participation. These standards establish clear requirements for CLS gateways, such as energy management systems (EMS) or submetering solutions. We have been intensively preparing for the implementation of these regulations since 2022 and are integrating them into the development of CLS solutions. The CLS Adapter Submetering 2 is an example of a product that is successfully undergoing certification to provide customers with additional legal certainty. We also plan to introduce additional products for various use cases, which will likewise undergo certification. PPC has already been approved for the pilot program of the Accelerated Security Certification (BSZ) for CLS and HAN components under BSI TR-03109-5, and we were very pleased by the interest shown by many partners who wanted to learn more about a potential collaboration. In addition, the following topics and questions were raised:

How do we scale during the rollout?
How can I improve the accessibility of my devices?
Network Management System: What Does It Offer, and How Can It Help Me?
and the major issue of sector coupling—the energy, transportation, and heating transitions

The trade show concluded with a look ahead to the coming year, which promises major changes and exciting topics such as the implementation of Section 14a, the introduction of dynamic rates, further developments in the rollout of smart meters, and, of course, added value at the grid connection point. The interest in these topics demonstrated that the energy industry is on the verge of major changes and that digitalization and the transition to the smart grid are moving forward. The potential to generate added value for end customers is there. It is crucial that the benefits of the smart meter rollout reach end customers and users. Encouraging Developments Particularly impressive was the growing interest in energy management and the development of collaborative business models within the ecosystem surrounding smart meter gateways. This interest demonstrates that, now more than ever, it serves as a hub for control and intelligent data analysis, supported by CLS and EEBUS Initiative e.V. The trade show also provided an opportunity for valuable encounters and the exchange of experiences, both among established players and with motivated students and the next generation. Overall, E-world Energy & Water 2024 highlights the importance of collaboration across the entire process chain and the need to involve all stakeholders in order to generate added value for end customers. It will be fascinating to see how the energy industry continues to evolve, and the trade show in Essen will once again serve as an important platform for these developments next year. Now we look forward to putting these insights into practice with our team and continuing the discussions we’ve started with customers and partners!