Roadmap for smart energy grids of the future Standardisation strategy for cross-sectoral digitalisation of the energy transition is published

In order to integrate renewables and electric mobility into the grid, a key task is to digitalise the energy grid. This is why the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Federal Office for Information Security have today jointly published a Standardisation Strategy for Cross-sector Digitalisation of the Energy Transition (in German). This roadmap contains a working plan for making the energy grids ‘smart’. The aim is to connect up all of the actors involved in supplying electricity within a smart energy grid of the future.

The Standardisaton Strategy is based on the Act on the Digitisation of the Energy Transition (Gesetz zur Digitalisierung der Energiewende – GDEW). This act has redefined smart metering in Germany and has sent out an important signal for a energy grid that is fit for the future. It is built upon the four key pillars of standardisation, data privacy and data security, security of investment, and public acceptance.

A key feature of the Act on the Digitisation of the Energy Transition is that it introduces smart meter gateways. The new roadmap that has been presented today describes how these gateways will go on to be developed into a comprehensive digital communication platform for the energy transition. The gateways will provide each of the actors involved in supplying electricity with all of the information on generation and consumption that they need – from the grid operator, to the electricity supplier, right through to the consumer. At the same time, smart meter gateways will also provide the highest level of data privacy and data security. After all, it is not just smart meters that are needed.

The minimum technical standards for smart meter gateways need to be continuously developed. It is vital for them to keep pace with the requirements of the energy transition, provide added benefit for the consumer, work across different sectors through sector coupling (particularly heat and smart home), cover electric mobility, and be suitably equipped to withstand future threats, e.g. cyber attacks. The roadmap therefore also includes steps for developing the relevant standards needed.