Study recommends later deadlines and network-oriented rollout

25.11.2025

Source: E & M powernews

A study by the Horizonte Group concludes that key requirements for the control rollout of smart metering systems are missing and deadlines need to be adjusted.

The consulting firm Horizonte-Group has presented its Technical Study 2.0 on the status of the control rollout of smart metering systems in the low-voltage grid in Berlin. The analysis examines whether distribution network operators and metering point operators can meet the legal requirements for the mandatory installation of control units for new controllable systems. According to the authors, this is not realistically possible with today's systems and processes.

The study by the consulting firm cites inadequately prepared ERP systems, a lack of consistent interfaces and installation and commissioning processes at customer installations that have not been tested on a mass scale as the main reasons for the delays. In addition, public mobile networks in many places do not offer stable accessibility to gateways and control units.
Although alternative transmission technologies are available, they have not yet been sufficiently tested. These technical and organizational bottlenecks were also confirmed by industry representatives at the closing event for the study. It was pointed out there, for example, that although a technical breakthrough had been achieved, this was primarily based on workarounds that were not suitable for a broad rollout.

The study therefore recommends harmonizing power limits in the EEG, EnWG and MsbG and exempting systems in the power range from 2 kW to 7 kW from the active power limit and controllability check for the time being. In view of the very different grid situations - between stable urban grids in the north and heavily loaded grids in parts of southern Germany - the authors advocate a more grid-oriented rollout of control technology instead of aiming for a nationwide rollout as quickly as possible.

Connection to ERP systems causes problems

The BDEW is also in favor of extending the possibility of an agile rollout until the end of 2027. In addition, according to the association, "the installation of smart metering systems should also be temporarily decoupled from control via smart meter gateways in the Metering Point Operation Act, as is already the case in the Renewable Energy Sources Act, as part of a transitional regulation," says Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the BDEW Executive Board.

"The bottlenecks have been clearly identified. It is now crucial that politicians, manufacturers, IT system houses, MSBs and DSOs work together to define a reliable path for the coming years. Customers and installers must also be involved at an early stage to prepare the metering stations and ensure the efficient connection of controllable systems on site," Frank Hirschi, manager at Horizonte Group and co-author of the study, was quoted as saying in a press release.

The analysis showed that although the tax rollout is progressing, the legal timetable does not match the capacities actually available. However, starting too early carries the risk of workaround solutions that are neither economically nor technically viable in the long term, Roland Olbrich, Partner at Horizonte Group, points out.

With a four-stage model for the years 2025 to 2028, the consulting firm describes which technical and organizational requirements must be met in which phase - "from the technical breakthrough to a functional control system and mass implementation through to full end-to-end network control" in regular operation.

The "Technical Study 2.0 - Control in Low Voltage" is the follow-up analysis to the "Technical Study Metering gMSB" published by the Horizonte Group in 2024 and is available online on request.

Author: Fritz Wilhelm