(Frankfurt a. M., 18.01.2024) In a new bluepaper, the DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies addresses the benefits of application rules for the secure exchange of information between customer installations and grid operators. The bluepaper is based on the VDE-AR-E 2829-6 series, which has been instrumental in driving forward the digitalization of the energy transition and is now used in numerous series products -from wallboxes and photovoltaic systems to heat pumps.
Standardized and effective communication for the digital grid connection
The increasing share of renewable energies and the advancing electrification are placing new demands on communication between the various players with different technical backgrounds. Effective communication requires not only standardized data exchange, but also that the communication partners support the same use cases and communication processes. To be successful and future-proof, such a communication interface must meet various key requirements such as easy installation on site, security for critical infrastructures or reliability. The VDE-AR-E 2829-6 series meets all these requirements and ensures that the communication interface at and behind the grid connection point is standardized.
This also applies to the requirements resulting from the regulations of §14a EnWG published by the BNetzA at the end of November 2023 for the grid-side control of customer systems such as wallboxes, heat pumps, air conditioning systems, battery storage and energy management systems. In addition, the VDE application rule describes solutions for the use of dynamic electricity tariffs and time-variable grid end charges. It therefore also fulfills the requirements of the guideline TR-03109-5 just published by the BSI for the secure connection of customer systems to the smart meter gateway.
Alexander Nollau, Head of the Energy Department at the DKE: "The exemplary mention of VDE-AR-E 2829-6 in the specifications of the BNetzA and BSI shows how legal requirements and standardization work can work together to bring the common good and industry interests together."
Setting incentives for innovation, basis for conformity assessments
The DKE Bluepaper is intended to provide political decision-makers with a comprehensive overview of the importance of a standardized communication interface for energy control in the context of the energy transition. Companies can use it to understand and respond to the market potential of standardized communication interfaces. The bluepaper defines a common technical framework to facilitate data exchange between different actors in the energy transition. It also presents a data model that can be flexibly adapted to different use cases, from charging stations to stationary battery storage systems.
The series is currently being supplemented by a test description that can be used as a basis for conformity assessments for §14a. The standardization work that led to VDE-AR-E 28296-6 is based on the preliminary work of the EEBus-initiative. This consortium of numerous companies and associations is developing a communication standard for energy-related devices and systems and has submitted the results of its work to the relevant DKE committees. Peter Kellendonk, Chairman of the EEBus-initiative, comments: "The standard presented in the Bluepaper makes an active contribution to the success of the energy and transport transition. The VDE-AR-E 2829-6 series is the key to the successful digitalization of the energy transition. It sets new standards for flexibility, safety and broad applicability. This should be recognized with the publication now presented."
About EEBus
Together with its member companies and associations, the EEBus Initiative e.V. is developing a communication standard for energy-related devices and systems. The standard covers the entire chain from the grid operator and energy supplier to the end device (such as heat pumps, charging stations, battery storage systems, PV inverters and white goods). As a registered, non-profit association, the EEBus-initiative ensures that the results from its working groups and the scientific and research findings are transferred to the EEBus-specification and subsequently to the national (DKE, FNN) and international (CEN, Cenelec, ETSI, IEC and ISO) committees.
