Power Plus Communications (PPC) successfully participated in the Nessum Alliance’s first-ever global plugfest, which took place on November 20 during Enlit Europe 2025 in Bilbao. The international event brought together leading technology providers to demonstrate the practical interoperability of Nessum-based broadband powerline (BPL) devices for medium- and low-voltage grids under real-world conditions.
As a long-standing driver of innovation in the field of smart grid communications, PPC, together with industry partners, demonstrated how IEEE 1901-based BPL technologies open up new possibilities for distribution system operators—from reliable data transmission to comprehensive grid transparency.
Focus on Nessum: An Overview of Technological Advantages
Nessum technology offers a wide range of key features for use in the power grid, including:
- Energy-efficient operation : Nessum units consume up to 30% less electricity than units meeting other BPL standards
- Lower temperature buildup as a direct result of energy efficiency, which has a positive effect on service life
- Virtually unlimited cell size: a Nessum headend can coordinate up to 1,000 end devices (e.g., BPL-SMGWs)
- Flexible use of the 2 to 30 MHz frequency range —depending on the current focus:
- Long ranges while the BPL infrastructure is being deployed (→ e.g., in quarter-band X4)
- High data rates in a full-rollout scenario, where each BPL SMGW helps amplify the network (→ e.g., in full band X1)
These characteristics make Nessum a future-proof technology for the digitalization of the energy infrastructure.
Interoperability as the Foundation for Open Smart Grid Structures
A key objective of the plugfest was to demonstrate interoperability between devices from different manufacturers. This capability is crucial for building open, scalable, and stable smart grid infrastructures. The successful interaction of the components underscores the maturity of the Nessum standard and its importance for the next generation of grid technologies.
Global Collaboration for a Shared Vision
With ECOLINQX, GE Vernova, Giga Fast, Helvetia, and Teldat, the plugfest brought together manufacturers and technology providers from around the world and impressively demonstrated the international momentum behind the Nessum ecosystem. These global partnerships strengthen the standard’s further development and promote solutions that meet the growing demands of modern utility grids.
