2025 – a year of partnerships and innovations!
The rollout of smart metering systems is in full swing, and the control rollout, driven by Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and Section 9 of the Renewable Energy Sources 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 partnership and cooperation: around 35 partners have joined our ‘PPC connect: Interoperability in practice’ initiative this year.
It has been another exciting year. Let’s take a look back:
Highlights from our products
Control systems finally become smart and digital: certification of our CLS adapter control system (February)
With its CLS adapter control system, 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, PPC has thus set a milestone in the digital transformation of energy networks.
1.2 million smart meter gateways in the PPC network management system (August)
PPC has reached the milestone of 1.2 million secure smart meter gateways (SMGW) with its network management system (NMS), representing an important milestone in secure communication in the energy sector. The system enables centralised management and monitoring of the gateways, ensuring the reliability and security of data transmission in the smart metering sector. The digitalisation of energy networks is advancing – and with it, the importance of professional network monitoring is also growing. The million mark therefore not only stands for scaling, but also for trust in a proven solution.
FOX logistics and call-off service successfully launched: New solution simplifies implementation of MSB supply chain (September)
In September, PPC successfully launched its new logistics and retrieval service, ‘FOX – Flexible without Box’. This new solution simplifies and optimises the implementation of the MSB supply chain. The system automates the call-off and logistics of smart meter gateways, reduces manual effort and increases process reliability. In this way, PPC supports suppliers and metering point operators in the efficient and error-free integration of new meters into the energy network.
CLS as an enabler for multi-use case models in the housing industry: recertification of the CLS Submetering Adapter (November)
We have successfully recertified our CLS Adapter Submetering. It serves as a certified interface for multi-use case models in the housing industry. The recertification underlines the interoperability and security of the adapter 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 brings digitalisation in the housing sector one step further with flexible, future-proof solutions.
Our customers – the forces behind the rollout
Octopus Energy drives forward smart meter rollout in partnership with PPC (January)
Octopus Energy is driving forward the expansion of smart metering systems in Germany in order to accelerate the digitalisation of the energy transition, focusing on providing its customers with a 100% sustainable and affordable energy supply. PPC is supplying the certified smart meter gateways (SMGW) and the network management system (NMS), which ensure secure and interoperable communication. The cooperation 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 can make an important contribution to the energy transition in Germany.
N-ERGIE and PPC bring smart meter rollout to Nuremberg (March)
N-ERGIE and Coms4Grid, the service subsidiary of PPC, have drawn positive conclusions after initial joint pilot projects: thanks to broadband powerline (BPL) modems, the rollout of smart metering systems is finding its way to Nuremberg and Hüttenheim, in both urban and rural areas. With this step, N-ERGIE is demonstrating its commitment to the digitalisation of its network and making its electricity grid fit 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 extend the project to 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 German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) (January).
With their implemented connection between inverters and CLS devices, KOSTAL and PPC offer a groundbreaking expansion of control options for private and commercial photovoltaic systems. With the implementation of the application cases ‘power limitation of grid consumption’ (LPC) and ‘power limitation of grid feed-in’ (LPP), this represents a significant optimisation for smart control of energy grids. These solutions enable the necessary grid integration to be implemented efficiently and user-friendly by offering flexible and automatic adjustment of energy flows.
Control throughout the entire chain: Robotron, Solar Manager and PPC implement solution for Sections 14a and 9 of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (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 for limiting generation and consumption. The implementation was carried out using existing systems and devices available today, which shows that this complete solution is already available to the broader market. The tested solution closes an essential gap between grid operators, market players and end consumers. It enables the continuous and 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 uses Nessum technology. This represents a significant milestone for broadband connectivity between medium- and low-voltage networks. This bridge is an important step towards a fully integrated smart grid.
SMA and PPC make hundreds of thousands of households ready for the smart grid – with just a software update (April)
This is what interoperability looks like in practice: SMA, the inverter expert based in Niestetal, and PPC, the Mannheim-based smart meter gateway manufacturer, have jointly developed a groundbreaking solution that makes not only new photovoltaic systems but also existing systems throughout Germany controllable via a firmware update – and thus fit 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 German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and Section 9 of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).
Robotron and PPC demonstrate interoperability between SMGWplus and GWA (May)
An important step for the digital energy transition: Robotron and PPC have successfully tested the interoperability between SMGWplus and robotron*GWA-Manager based on the new control profiles. This was based on the standards for the data model at the WAN interface of the SMGW, DIN VDE V 0418-63-8. This means that control specifications are transmitted to the smart meter gateway in an interoperable and standardised manner. As a sign of the successful collaboration, PPC presented Robotron with the PPC connect Award at this year’s customer meeting in front of 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 German Energy Industry Act (EnWG), generation systems in accordance with Section 9 of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), such as photovoltaic inverters, can now also be integrated and controlled. The new functions are easily available via a software update and are already certified, meaning they can be used immediately in the field. PPC’s partnership with gridX was recognised 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 suppliers (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 suppliers. The business customer division o2 Business is working with PPC to test the new 5G RedCap connectivity in o2 Telefónica’s live network. 5G RedCap was first tested on the live network in spring 2024. Since then, the company has gradually expanded compatibility with new end devices.
PPC digitises the heat transition (April)
Heat plays a central role in the energy transition. Around half of Germany’s total energy consumption is accounted for by the heating sector. Together with its partners, PPC sees great synergies in the iMSys rollout for implementing the outlined digitalisation of heat supply efficiently and with cyber security. To this end, strategies and solutions are being developed and tested in the WARAN research project.
Tenant electricity on the rise – scalability thanks to standards, 1:n and sector bundling (August)
The expansion of tenant electricity models continues to gain momentum throughout Germany – not only because of political will, but also due to the economic viability of the projects. For service concepts, the 1:n connection of meters via wMBus to a smart meter gateway is very attractive economically thanks to the MsbG amendment, as the full POG can now be drawn without the end customer having to pay significantly more. With partners such as eBZ, PPC is continuing to drive this issue forward in a practical manner and with a clear focus on neighbourhood solutions. We are staying on track – 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)
The companies Solar Manager, KEO GmbH and PPC have jointly presented an important step towards simplifying the commissioning of controllable systems. The use of the new EEBUS SHIP pairing service will significantly speed up the installation process in future. The innovative pairing mechanism has already been successfully tested in the laboratory and was presented for the first time in a live demo at the EEBUSummit in Cologne on 24 and 25 September. Automated SHIP pairing eliminates the previously complex process of manual device pairing. This makes the process more efficient, which benefits 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 world’s first Nessum Alliance plugfest, which took place on 20 November 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 networks 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 network technologies.
The year 2025 at PPC’s
