PPC Implements E-Mobility Solution with EEBUS

To enable grid-optimized control of electric vehicle charging processes, Power Plus Communications AG (PPC) has developed an interoperable solution in collaboration with KEO GmbH. To this end, the partners have expanded the functionality of PPC’s CLS Gateway to include EEBUS. This upgrade enables communication with a charging station via the CLS Gateway using the EEBUS protocol. This solution can be easily adapted to the smart meter gateway architecture in other projects. PPC and KEO are thus already enabling the interoperable control of charging stations today.

Grid-Compatible Charging

The EEBUS protocol serves as an interface between the building—or the charging station installed within it—other generators and consumers, the smart metering system, and the grid. EEBUS-compatible devices, such as wallboxes, can thus communicate with the SMGW and be controlled via an energy management system (EMS) to support grid operations. The Smart Meter Gateway can provide the relevant real-time grid status data for this purpose. Ingo Schönberg, CEO of PPC, says: “With our EEBUS-enabled CLS Gateway, we are already offering a solution for grid-compatible charging of electric vehicles. This allows us to leverage the resulting flexibility in accordance with Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG).”

Successfully tested

In collaboration with KEO, PPC has successfully tested the solution. The backend system used communicates with PPC’s gateway as well as a connected wallbox. The solution will be presented at the EEBUS Initiative’s booth (Hall 5, Booth 708) at the upcoming E-world trade show (February 11–13, 2020).

EEBUS as a uniform standard

EEBUS is a vendor-neutral, standardized device language that enables the exchange of energy- and application-related information. The protocol has become established in the home appliance and heating industries as well as in the automotive industry. Peter Kellendonk, Chairman of the EEBUS Initiative, says: “Our goal is seamless communication from the energy sector all the way down to the device level—whether, for example, for power limitation at the grid connection point, tariff-optimized operation, or self-generated electricity optimization.”