Mannheim / Dornstadt, February 20, 2024: The rollout of CLS devices is now picking up significant momentum. SMGW market leader PPC and the metering point operator Zählerhelden from Dornstadt plan to install several thousand CLS gateways starting in April of this year. In addition to implementing Section 14a of the Energy Economy Act (EnWG) for end users, the joint solution focuses on other applications of market- and grid-oriented control.
The iMSys rollout is in full swing, and with the digitized metering infrastructure, the focus is increasingly shifting to business models that promote flexibility at the grid connection point—models that go beyond mere metering services. With the BSI’s adoption of TR-03109-5, the requirements for CLS applications using smart meter gateways have recently been specified in detail. PPC had already been working toward this goal in recent years with its own CLS gateway, developing a platform for connecting applications and adding value. The CLS channel, as a secure transmission path, uses the iMSys infrastructure—currently under development—as its foundation.
A key focus of the project is the management of prosumer customers for market integration and grid integration in accordance with Section 14a. There is currently a great deal of activity in this area, along with uncertainty regarding the future structure of this management. With the start of the expansion, Zählerhelden and PPC are sending a clear signal regarding the connection of controllable systems using digital control via the SMGW through the CLS channel. Connection options are planned for both systems with integrated HEMS and those with external HEMS.
“Of course, we are delighted to have Zählerhelden as a partner at our side who, just like us, wants to take a proactive approach to the CLS rollout,” said Karen Schmid, CLS Product Manager at PPC. “The fact that we can now demonstrate this in practice—following the submetering use case—for the control of prosumer systems is an important step in our product development. The next step is already clear: this product will also undergo certification according to BSI TR-01309-5 before the end of this year. In addition, we’re pleased that, thanks to the synergies in our production processes for SMGW and CLS devices, we’ve been able to build up the necessary capacity to hit the ground running with the CLS rollout.”
Zählerhelden and PPC are playing a pioneering role in managing consumers and wish to emphasize their cross-sector commitment to a flexible, climate-neutral energy infrastructure. The protocol openness of the PPC CLS solutions enables flexible integration into existing systems. This further increases the efficiency of the rollout and makes Zählerhelden’s offering even more attractive.
“It’s important to us that we have a clear solution for every possibility. We’re not afraid of the complexity of the systems; rather, we see our strength in successfully managing exactly that through a smart technological approach and sophisticated processes,” explains Markus Lemberger, CEO of Zählerhelden. “This opens up an immense variety of possibilities for our customers. Grid-oriented control is just one aspect; we can also integrate market-driven controls and other value-added services through the infrastructure we’ve created here.”
With a large-scale rollout, both companies also want to clearly demonstrate that control via the iMSys is already a viable use case today. This means there is no need to limit oneself to individual solutions based on the lowest common denominator; instead, the groundwork can be laid early on for innovative concepts that comply with regulations.
