2025—A Year of Partnerships and Innovation!
The rollout of smart metering systems is in full swing, and the control system rollout—driven by Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and Section 9 of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG)—is gaining significant momentum. In this context, the interoperability of our solutions with those of our partners in the market is a prerequisite. 2025 is therefore all about collaborative partnerships: Around 35 partners have joined our “PPC connect: Interoperability in Action” initiative this year.
It has been another exciting year. Let’s take a look back:
Our Customers—the Drivers of the Rollout
Highlights of Our Products
Control systems are finally becoming smart and digital: Certification of our CLS Adapter Control (February)
With its CLS Adapter Control, PPC has certified the first interoperable digital control system that complies with the TR-03109-5 security standards and the BSI’s Accelerated Security Certification Procedure (BSZ). Completed within four months, this certification enables the rollout of digital control solutions in smart metering and strengthens interoperability in the energy sector. As the first provider to achieve this, PPC has set a milestone in the digital transformation of energy grids.
1.2 million smart meter gateways in the PPC Network Management System (August)
With its Network Management System (NMS), PPC has reached the 1.2 million mark for secure smart meter gateways (SMGWs), representing a major milestone in secure communication within the energy sector. The system enables centralized management and monitoring of the gateways, ensuring the reliability and security of data transmission in the smart metering sector. The digitization of energy grids is advancing—and with it, the importance of professional network monitoring is also growing. Reaching the one-million mark thus signifies not only scalability but also confidence in a proven solution.
FOX Logistics and On-Demand Service Successfully Launched: New Solution Simplifies Implementation of the MSB Supply Chain (September)
In September, PPC successfully launched its new logistics and order fulfillment service, “FOX—Flexible Without a Box.” This new solution simplifies and optimizes the implementation of the MSB supply chain. The system automates the retrieval and logistics of smart meter gateways, reduces manual effort, and increases process reliability. In this way, PPC supports suppliers and metering point operators in efficiently and error-free integrating new meters into the energy grid.
CLS as an Enabler for Multi-Use-Case Models in the Housing Sector: Recertification of the CLS Submetering Adapter (November)
We have successfully recertified our CLS Submetering Adapter. It serves as a certified interface for multi-use-case models in the housing sector. The recertification underscores the adapter’s interoperability and security in accordance with TR-03109-5 and enables its use for various applications such as energy consumption measurement, heating cost billing, or smart home services. This marks another step forward in the digital transformation of the housing sector with flexible, future-proof solutions.
Our Customers—The Drivers of the Rollout
Octopus Energy is driving the expansion of smart meters in collaboration with PPC (January)
Octopus Energy is driving the expansion of smart metering systems in Germany to accelerate the digital transformation of the energy transition, with a focus on providing its customers with a 100% sustainable and affordable energy supply. PPC supplies the certified smart meter gateways (SMGW) and the network management system (NMS), which ensure secure and interoperable communication. The partnership between PPC and Octopus Energy is a prime example of successful collaboration between innovative companies in the field of smart energy supply. The partners are convinced that their solutions will make a significant contribution to the energy transition in Germany.
N-ERGIE and PPC are bringing the smart meter rollout to Nuremberg (March)
N-ERGIE and Coms4Grid, PPC’s service subsidiary, have drawn a positive conclusion following their first joint pilot projects: Thanks to Broadband Powerline (BPL) modems, the rollout of smart metering systems is making its way to Nuremberg and Hüttenheim, in both urban and rural areas. With this step, N-ERGIE is demonstrating its consistent commitment to digitizing its grid and preparing its power grid for the smart grid future. As part of the project, 300 PPC Smart Meter Gateways (SMGWs), including the necessary BPL modems, are being installed in a wide variety of locations, from street distribution boxes to transformer stations. Following the successful pilot, both partners have decided to expand the project for 2025 and 2026.
PPC connect: A Partner Network for Interoperability
With the CLS Adapter Control, KOSTAL and PPC are setting the benchmark for smart control in accordance with Sections 14a and 9 of the EEG (January)
With their implemented connection between the inverter and the CLS device, KOSTAL and PPC offer a groundbreaking expansion of control options for residential and commercial photovoltaic systems. With the implementation of the use cases “Power Limitation of Grid Draw” (LPC) and “Power Limitation of Grid Feed-in” (LPP), this represents the definitive optimization for smart control of energy grids. These solutions enable the necessary grid integration to be implemented efficiently and in a user-friendly manner by offering flexible and automatic adjustment of energy flows.
Control Across the Entire Chain: Robotron, Solar Manager, and PPC Implement a Solution for Sections 14a and 9 of the EEG (February)
Robotron Datenbank-Software GmbH, Solar Manager, and PPC have successfully demonstrated a solution for the digital control of systems. This enables grid operators and other market participants to implement control commands to limit generation and consumption. The implementation was carried out using existing systems and devices currently available, demonstrating that this comprehensive solution is already accessible to the broader market today. The tested solution bridges a critical gap between grid operators, market participants, and end users. It enables seamless, bidirectional control of generation and consumption units.
GE Vernova and PPC Demonstrate Successful Interoperability for Broadband Communication in Power Grids (March)
GE Vernova and PPC have successfully tested the interoperability of their broadband powerline (BPL) technologies. The collaboration focused on connecting GE Vernova’s MDS™ Orbit PowerNet with PPC’s smart meter gateway, which utilizes Nessum technology. This represents a major milestone for broadband connectivity between medium- and low-voltage grids. This integration is an important step toward a fully integrated smart grid.
SMA and PPC are preparing hundreds of thousands of households for the smart grid—with just a single software update (April)
This is what interoperability in action looks like: SMA, the inverter specialist based in Niestetal, and PPC, the Mannheim-based smart meter gateway manufacturer, have jointly developed a groundbreaking solution that enables not only new photovoltaic systems but also existing systems throughout Germany to be controlled in a grid-friendly manner via a firmware update—making them ready for the smart grid of the future. This means that more than 350,000 systems can be made controllable in one fell swoop in accordance with the requirements of Section 14a of the Energy Economy Act (EnWG) and Section 9 of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG).
Robotron and PPC Demonstrate Interoperability Between SMGWplus and GWA (May)
An important step toward the digital energy transition: Robotron and PPC have successfully tested the interoperability between the SMGWplus and the robotron*GWA-Manager based on the new control profiles. This was based on the standards for the data model at the SMGW’s WAN interface, DIN VDE V 0418-63-8. This ensures that control specifications are transmitted to the smart meter gateway in an interoperable and standardized manner. As a sign of their successful collaboration, PPC honored Robotron with the PPC connect Award at this year’s customer conference, attended by over 250 participants.
Expanded Interoperability: PPC & gridX Bring More Flexibility to the Grid
In addition to controllable consumption devices in accordance with Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG), generation systems under Section 9 of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG)—such as photovoltaic inverters—can now also be integrated and controlled. The new features are easily available via a software update and have already been certified, allowing them to be deployed immediately in the field. PPC’s partnership with gridX was recognized in February with a PPC connect Award at E-World.
How Innovation Is Driving the Energy Transition
Digital Infrastructure for Smart Grids: o2 Business Offers 5G RedCap for Energy Providers (February)
Telecommunications provider o2 Telefónica is one of the first companies to launch a nationwide trial of the “5G RedCap” technology variant for German energy providers. The business division, o2 Business, is testing the new 5G RedCap connectivity on o2 Telefónica’s live network in collaboration with PPC. 5G RedCap was first tested on the live network in the spring of 2024. Since then, the company has gradually expanded compatibility with new devices.
PPC Is Digitizing the Heat Transition (April)
Heating plays a central role in the energy transition. The heating sector accounts for about half of Germany’s total energy consumption. Together with its partners, PPC sees significant synergies in the iMSys rolloutto implement the planned digitization of the heating supply efficiently and with robust cybersecurity. To this end, the WARAN research project.
Tenant-Generated Electricity on the Rise – Scalability Thanks to Standards, 1:n Models, and Service Bundling (August)
The expansion of tenant electricity models continues to gain momentum across Germany —not only because of political support, but also due to the projects’ economic viability. For service concepts, the 1:n connection of meters via wMBus to a smart meter gateway— —is economically very attractive thanks to the amendment to the MsbG, as the full POG can now be utilized without the end customer having to pay significantly more. Together with partners such as eBZ, PPC is continuing to drive this initiative forward in a practical manner and with a clear focus on neighborhood-level solutions. We’re staying on top of it—with strong partnerships, scalable solutions, and a clear focus on the future of smart metering.
PPC, KEO, and Solar Manager Present Automatic EEBUS Commissioning (September)
Solar Manager, KEO GmbH, and PPC have jointly unveiled a major step toward simplifying the commissioning of controllable systems. The use of the new EEBUS SHIP-Pairing Service will significantly speed up the installation process in the future. The innovative pairing mechanism has already been successfully tested in the lab and was presented for the first time in a live demo on September 24 and 25 as part of the EEBUSummit in Cologne. Automated SHIP pairing eliminates the previously complex process of manual device pairing. This makes the process more efficient, benefiting both installers and end customers.
PPC at the First Global Nessum Plugfest: Interoperability as the Key to the Smart Grid of the Future (November)
PPC successfully participated in the Nessum Alliance’s first-ever global plugfest, which took place on November 20 during Enlit Europe 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. The international event brought together leading technology providers to demonstrate the practical interoperability of Broadband Powerline (BPL) devices based on Nessum technology for medium- and low-voltage grids under real-world conditions. A key objective of the plugfest was to demonstrate interoperability between devices from different manufacturers. The successful interaction of the components underscores the maturity of the Nessum standard and its importance for the next generation of grid technologies.
