(Frankfurt/Berlin, July 13, 2026) VDE FNN and DKE reject the plan approved by the coalition committee to establish “Smart Meter Light” systems outside the mandatory rollout of smart metering systems. “This sets back the timeline for building the new, secure infrastructure needed for the energy transition,” says Frank Borchardt, head of the “Metering and Digitalization” division at VDE FNN and co-author of a recent position paper on the topic. Additional, new technical concepts for a “Smart Meter Light” would initially require renewed standardization, development, and implementation efforts, thereby tying up resources for years that are currently needed to accelerate the rollout. “The personnel and technical resources required for this are the same ones currently driving the installation of smart metering systems,” Borchardt continues, “instead, the existing efficient solutions provided by the Metering Point Operation Act for multi-family dwellings should be utilized.”
“Without uniform standards, we’ll end up in chaos.”
A “Smart Meter Light” would increase the risk associated with a parallel system landscape, while undermining the scalability of a nationwide, standardized, cyber-secure, and interoperable rollout. “Smart Meter Light” systems must also feed their data into grid management, balancing, and procurement processes. However, what starts as a resource and process issue can quickly become a threat to the power grid if grid operators and other market partners can no longer rely on the integrity of the data their systems use to make decisions. “This risk can only be avoided if ‘Smart Meter Light’ systems are specified, developed, and tested in exactly the same way as the solution that is already available today. Otherwise, data formats, systems, and processes simply won’t be compatible,” says Borchardt. “Without uniform standards, we’ll end up in chaos.”
A “Smart Meter Light” would increase the risk associated with a parallel system landscape, while undermining the scalability of a nationwide, standardized, cyber-secure, and interoperable rollout. “Smart Meter Light” systems must also feed their data into grid management, balancing, and procurement processes. However, what starts as a resource and process issue can quickly become a threat to the power grid if grid operators and other market partners can no longer rely on the integrity of the data their systems use to make decisions. “This risk can only be avoided if ‘Smart Meter Light’ systems are specified, developed, and tested in exactly the same way as the solution that is already available today. Otherwise, data formats, systems, and processes simply won’t be compatible,” says Borchardt. “Without uniform standards, we’ll end up in chaos.”
A more efficient “1:n” solution is already enshrined in the Metering Point Operations Act
To accelerate the smart meter rollout, VDE FNN and DKE instead propose using the cost-efficient and cyber-secure 1:n connection—already provided for in the Metering Point Operation Act (MsbG)—for end customers outside the mandatory rollout. With the 1:n connection enshrined in the law, multiple digital electricity meters (n) can be connected via a single smart meter gateway (1). “This solution is therefore particularly appealing for apartment buildings and is already fully integrated into the process,” explains Frank Borchardt.
The solution is already available and proven, and offers the added advantage that end customers can easily add control functions later on without having to go through the cumbersome process of replacing their smart meter. Furthermore, it does not create a parallel process structure.
VDE FNN and DKE therefore consider it imperative to focus on promoting established “1:n” solutions for tenants and to ensure that the further digitization of the energy system is not slowed down by parallel systems. Investment and planning certainty are crucial for the rollout and must be guaranteed at the policy level.
