SMIGHT

Karlsruhe, 30 April 2026 +++ SMIGHT GmbH, Thüga SmartService GmbH and Robotron Datenbank-Software GmbH have jointly implemented the complete control chain under §14a EnWG in live operations. The solution maps the entire process in a standardised and market-compliant manner: from measurement-data-based congestion detection in the local grid substation to the acknowledged control action at the control box.

A key component of the solution is the SMIGHT MSB Gateway, which enables secure and standards-compliant market communication within the Smart Meter PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) and thereby creates an essential prerequisite for the operational implementation of §14a control. This provides a field-proven, BSI- and BDEW-compliant end-to-end architecture that is operationally deployable and scalable.

Seamless Control Chain Through Partner Collaboration

The implementation of §14a control is carried out in a division-of-labour, yet fully integrated architecture:

• SMIGHT provides measurement-based congestion detection, dimensioning of control commands, and the MSB Gateway
• Thüga SmartService takes on as service provider the operational management of CLS, metering point operations, gateway administration, and certificate management
• Robotron handles energy-sector data processing, process logic, and integration into market communication

This ensures that a congestion event is not only detected, but systematically processed, correctly communicated, resolved, and documented in an audit-proof manner.

Measurement-Data-Based Congestion Detection as the Starting Point

Congestion detection begins at the local grid substation, where SMIGHT measurement technology continuously captures currents and voltages at feeder and phase level. When a defined threshold is exceeded, the SMIGHT IQ Copilot automatically generates a congestion signal based on real grid conditions. This signal is automatically transferred into a standardised control process.

SMIGHT MSB Gateway as Bridge Between Grid and Market

A central role in the architecture is played by the SMIGHT MSB Gateway. It ensures secure and standards-compliant market communication within the Smart Meter PKI, encrypts the control commands, and connects grid operations with metering point operations.

Complex requirements such as certificate management, key management, and addressing via the directory service are integrated and managed operationally in the process.

In combination with Robotron’s backend systems, it is ensured that control impulses are not only transmitted, but also correctly embedded in and processed by market processes.

Legally Compliant: From Congestion Signal to Market-Side Control

The further processing of the congestion signal is handled by Thüga SmartService via Robotron’s CLS management, so that the control chain is seamlessly implemented from the Smart Meter Gateway through to the control box in the field.

Implementation was carried out consistently in accordance with the regulatory requirements of BSI and BDEW. Certificate-based market communication, secure key management, and clearly defined roles and responsibilities ensure a technically robust and regulatory-compliant solution.

Foundation for Broad Roll-Out

In the project, all process steps – from congestion detection through market communication and backend processing to operational control – were run through and validated in live operations. This provides a structured, standards-compliant architecture that can be transferred to additional distribution network operators.

Stromversorgung Greding is driving forward the digitalization of its distribution grid. Together with its digitalization partner SMIGHT, the company is introducing real-time monitoring in local transformer stations, consistently focusing on grid transparency. The goal is a forward-looking, cost-efficient, and future-proof grid operation.

Rising photovoltaic feed-in, increasing loads from electric mobility, and growing grid dynamics are fundamentally changing the requirements for distribution system operators. For Stromversorgung Greding, one thing is clear: the future of grid operation is data-driven.

“Our ambition is to actively shape our grid rather than simply manage it. To do this, we need transparency about the actual condition of our infrastructure,” says Managing Director Thomas Mendl. “Real-time data helps us identify developments at an early stage and make well-informed decisions for both grid operation and expansion.”

From Theoretical Models to Real-World Data
Until now, grid assessments have often been based on theoretical assumptions and calculations. With the introduction of SMIGHT Grid2, the company now has access to real-time data, creating transparency about actual load flows and grid utilization. Initial analyses show that some stations previously considered critical are significantly less utilized than assumed, while other effects only become visible through continuous measurement.

This new data foundation enables more informed investment decisions and helps avoid unnecessary grid expansion.

Digitalization as the Basis for Future Requirements
At the same time, this strategic realignment addresses upcoming regulatory requirements. A reliable understanding of grid conditions is essential for effective grid-oriented control in accordance with Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG), as well as for managing feed-in regulations under Section 9 of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).

“Grid control and grid expansion must be based on reliable data. Only when we know the actual state of the grid can we decide if and where interventions are necessary,” Mendl adds. “Grid transparency is therefore a key prerequisite for meeting upcoming regulatory requirements.”

With this step, Stromversorgung Greding positions itself as a modern, forward-looking grid operator that actively addresses the challenges of the energy transition—with a clear digital strategy and the ambition to sustainably develop its grid.

At E-world energy & water 2026, SMIGHT will present the next evolutionary stage of its highly innovative platform for dynamic low-voltage grid management (Hall 5, Stand 5E112). The company will demonstrate how distribution grids can be operated more adaptively and closer to real time. With this ambition, SMIGHT supports distribution system operators in maintaining a stable, efficient and manageable low-voltage grid, even under increasingly dynamic conditions.

The energy system is changing faster and more profoundly than ever before: generation and consumption are becoming decoupled, renewable energies are growing dynamically, new business models and flexibilities are emerging, grid infrastructure is being expanded on a large scale and digitalisation as well as regulatory requirements continue to increase. At the same time, the demands on secure grid operation are rising due to increasingly volatile load and feed-in situations and new control requirements.

The next development stage of SMIGHT Grid2

To support and manage the growing dynamics, scalability and regulatory complexity of the energy system, SMIGHT is further developing its solution into a highly innovative platform for dynamic grid management in the low-voltage level – from field components to intelligent cloud software.

Specifically, this development includes:

• Expanded hardware portfolio:
SMIGHT integrates fault indicators (KSA) and connects the medium-voltage level. This expands visibility across the distribution grid and provides a more comprehensive picture of the interaction between low and medium voltage.

• Enhanced solution for grid monitoring:
The platform now offers not only load monitoring but also comprehensive voltage monitoring, including the processing of voltage values from iMSys. With the real-time “Wächtermodus”, load and voltage can be monitored continuously, enabling minute-by-minute detection of congestion and early visibility of critical grid situations.

• Ready-to-use grid-oriented control:
The platform supports control actions in accordance with §14a EnWG and is already prepared for the control of renewable energy systems under §9 EEG. In addition, the SMIGHT IQ Copilot enables controllability checks, providing the basis for practical, compliant and effective grid-oriented control in the field.

• Dynamic Twin:
Grid models can be integrated through partners and combined with real-time measurement data. This creates a system that not only represents grid states but also understands them, validates them with measurement and external data sources, continuously learns and increasingly operates closer to real time.

More transparency for operational grid management

SMIGHT consistently continues the path from monitoring and visualisation to integrated control. The next logical step is a platform that enables dynamic, data-driven and adaptive grid management – simple to integrate, openly connected and secure from sensor to control command.

Solutions for the growing demands on flexibility in the distribution grid.

SMIGHT will once again be exhibiting at E-world energy & water in Essen in 2026.

From February 10 to 12, 2026, the company will be presenting its technologies in Hall 5, Booth 5E112, focusing on the core topics of data collection, low-voltage understanding, grid control, and IoT and cloud infrastructure operation.

Increasing demands for flexibility are presenting distribution grids with increasingly complex challenges. SMIGHT will demonstrate how modern grid transparency helps grid operators confidently master these developments and lead their grids securely into the future.At E-world, we will demonstrate the AI-based technologies and forward-looking approaches we are using to take SMIGHT Grid2 to the next level, offering you a reliable solution for today and tomorrow.

Appointments and free tickets are now available here:

For the first time, a joint study by SMIGHT and the HORIZONTE Group analyzes the most economical strategy for implementing Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG). Based on the VDE FNN recommendation, various strategies for determining the network status were compared: from pure calculation via intelligent metering systems (iMSys) to direct measurement in local network stations. The result: the differences in total costs are considerable, and the use of station measurement technology makes the most economic sense in almost all scenarios. A purely iMSys-based approach, on the other hand, can lead to a fourfold increase in costs.

Distribution network operators are faced with the challenge of implementing the requirements of Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) as economically as possible. Although the legal framework has been established, there has been no objective, comprehensive cost analysis of the various implementation options to date. Many network operators are therefore wondering which strategy makes economic sense and is best suited to their network.

Assessment premises of the study

For the economic analysis, a distribution network operator was modeled over a period of eight years: with 1,000 local network stations, seven outputs per station, and a total of 210,000 metering points.

Both supporting data from operating resources and minute-by-minute iMSys data are required for congestion detection. According to the VDE FNN recommendation, the more measurement data available directly from local network stations, the less cost-intensive TAF-10 data from smart metering systems needs to be provided additionally.

The economic optimum is therefore determined by the interaction between the investment and operating costs of the station measurement technology on the one hand and the running costs for the provision and processing of TAF-10 data on the other.

Results of the analysis

The analysis shows significant cost differences between the scenarios examined (Fig. 1). This is particularly evident in the example of a radial network: if outgoing measurements with TAF-10 data from 15 percent of the measuring points are combined for bottleneck detection, the total costs over 8 years amount to around 13 million euros. A completely iMSys-based approach, on the other hand, increases the costs to around €49 million (Fig. 2).

All three network types defined by FNN were examined: radial networks, meshed and closely meshed structures. The results show a largely consistent picture. Only in closely meshed networks does the actual mandatory rollout rate of iMSys determine economic efficiency. If the rate falls below 30 percent, station measurement is clearly preferable here as well.

Conclusion

The study clearly shows that the use of measurement technology in local network stations is the most economically viable option in most scenarios. A purely iMSys-based approach can result in costs that are up to four times higher in some cases, despite the mandatory rollout.

“Since measurement technology is required for §14a anyway, it is only logical to follow option 2 of the VDE FNN recommendation and first identify bottlenecks through measurements,” recommends Oliver Deuschle, Managing Director of SMIGHT GmbH.
In addition, station measurement technology allows the network status to be determined more quickly than with an approach based heavily on iMSys, as fewer operating resources are affected and these are directly accessible to the network operator.

“Station measurement technology not only enables cost-effective implementation of Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG), but also generates reliable data for grid operation, planning, and future applications,” adds Tobias Linnenberg, manager at the HORIZONTE Group. “Station measurement technology is therefore indispensable for cost-optimized load management in accordance with Section 14a EnWG – a result that, I must admit, surprised me somewhat in its clarity.”

Lüsen, South Tyrol, 18.09.2025 – The E-Werk Lüsen Cooperative is taking new steps to make its power grid fit for the energy transition. Together with SMIGHT GmbH and the project partner Psaier.energies GmbH, the company is launching a pilot project for intelligent grid monitoring. The aim is to identify the increasing challenges arising from the expansion of renewable energies in the rural distribution grid at an early stage and to take targeted action.

The E-Werk Lüsen Cooperative currently supplies around 531 households and 223 commercial customers in the municipal area of Lüsen (Autonomous Province of Bolzano). The strong growth of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the residents is leading to rising demands on grid stability. Despite network expansions already carried out, the cooperative sees a need for action to avoid future bottlenecks.

As part of the project, five local network stations have been equipped with modern SMIGHT measurement technology. Over several weeks, the grid data will now be collected and evaluated in the SMIGHT IQ Cockpit. The insights gained from this will make it possible to identify critical points in the grid at an early stage and to plan investments on a solid data basis.

“We chose SMIGHT because we expect more transparency about our grid from the precise measurement data – also in comparison with the existing smart meter data. After the demonstrator, we want to use this basis to implement further targeted measures in order to ensure security of supply in the long term,” explains Valentin Kaser, Teamleader Consultant Services at Psaier.energies.

With the project, E-Werk Lüsen is strengthening its role as a pioneer for sustainable and secure energy supply in the region.

SMIGHT GmbH and advalju GmbH & Co. KG jointly demonstrate the successful implementation of §14a EnWG-compliant control in the low-voltage grid. Starting with the SMIGHT IQ Copilot load management software and advalju’s CLS management system, the entire active chain – from the grid operator to the controllable consumer – was tested under real conditions. Both companies presented this milestone live with an electric car at the Smart Energy Dialogue, an event organized by Theben.

In addition to the well-known IoT solution for measurement data acquisition and grid monitoring, SMIGHT also offers a solution for preventive and grid-friendly control: The SMIGHT IQ Copilot enables grid operators to intelligently control consumers at low-voltage level – tailored to the requirements of §14a EnWG.

Technical implementation: tried and tested
SMIGHT and advalju were able to demonstrate the complete chain of action for the implementation of §14a EnWG as part of the Smart Energy Dialogue, an event organized by Theben Smart Energy. The control command is transmitted from the SMIGHT IQ Copilot via the CLS management to the Theben Smart Meter Gateway CONEXA with an attached value-added module as a certified control unit. From there, the control command is transferred via EEBUS to a home energy management system, which dims the wallbox in the property continuously. Communication between the backend systems is encrypted using the BDEW Web API. The control process is then documented via the SMIGHT IQ Copilot in accordance with the specifications of the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) and VDE FNN. This means that the solution meets current regulatory and ISMS requirements and can be quickly adapted to future requirements if necessary.

System integration
Thanks to the use of standard interfaces (BDEW API), the integration and interaction of the systems was quick and straightforward. Steffen Hornung, Managing Director of advalju, explains: “The respective technical experts connected the systems within a few hours. Internal end-to-end tests then took place, including the connected electric car. This meant that the showcase, which is actually a live demonstrator, was ready for use without any major effort.”

Control in the low-voltage grid – flexible, secure and interoperable
Even before the live demonstration with advalju, SMIGHT was able to prove its practical suitability at E-world: There, the control process was demonstrated with another market competitor.
The SMIGHT solution is interoperable: regardless of the modern metering device used: “We have already successfully addressed a large number of MSB APIs and are currently in intensive testing of the entire supply chain,” explains Oliver Deuschle, Managing Director of SMIGHT.

Five SMIGHT customers are currently starting so-called 14a pilot projects, including Stadtwerke Frankenthal GmbH and Stadtwerke Fellbach GmbH. The aim is to complete the technical integration and test the control chain in live operation. “We are therefore offering all our customers – and those who would like to become customers – the 14a projects to make it easier for them to get started in the 14a world and to gain valuable experience together,” Deuschle continues.

Image: SMIGHT and advalju successfully demonstrated §14a EnWG-compliant control in the low-voltage grid at the Smart Energy Dialogue.

 

Three-phase voltage measurement up to the cable distribution board

Karlsruhe, February 6, 2025 – With another new development – the SMIGHT Grid2 Voltage Sensor – SMIGHT GmbH will enable three-phase voltage measurement, particularly in cable distribution cabinets (CDCs). The strong growth of PV systems in the low-voltage grid makes it increasingly necessary to monitor the voltage outside the local grid station. Seamlessly integrated into the overall SMIGHT solution, the product extension enables distribution grid operators to record and evaluate the grid status in the low voltage even more comprehensively using live measurement data.

Photovoltaic systems are already feeding over 60 GW of power into the German grid. This amount is set to almost double in a few years. This leads to a high feed-in power with high simultaneity – which is increasing rapidly. The further away the feed-in point, i.e. the PV system, is from the transformer, the more the voltage in the cable increases. Three-phase voltage measurement is becoming increasingly important, especially in cable distribution cabinets, in order to recognize this development in the grid and to be able to initiate countermeasures at an early stage in the event of an imminent violation of the voltage band.

Three-phase voltage, active and apparent power

This is precisely where the SMIGHT Grid2 Voltage Sensor product extension comes in: the device not only enables the monitoring of the voltage curve of all three phases, but also the calculation of the active and apparent power of the outgoing circuits and transformers under consideration. The information about the voltage is provided in the SMIGHT IQ Cockpit in addition to the outgoing current values with direction of flow, which are recorded in 4 phases and every minute. This gives grid operators a clear picture of their low-voltage grid.

The voltage sensor: a retrofittable multitool

The device establishes the connection to all three phase conductors using the CONLOX® connection system from Laniol. This only takes a few minutes. The Voltage Sensor integrates perfectly into the SMIGHT Grid2 plug-and-play measurement solution: it can be easily retrofitted into existing installations and is also used to supply power to the SMIGHT Grid2 Sensor Flex.

“With the SMIGHT Grid2 Voltage Sensor, we are taking intelligent grid monitoring to the next level,” says Oliver Deuschle, Managing Director of SMIGHT GmbH. “The Voltage Sensor is technologically a unique multi-tool that gives grid operators the opportunity to be flexible in its application and to analyze the grid status in even greater detail.”

Availability of the Voltage Sensor

The SMIGHT Grid2 Voltage Sensor can be ordered from E-world. A webinar on the Voltage Sensor will take place on February 26 at 11 a.m. Registration: SMIGHT Webinar zum Voltage Sensor

The Voltage Sensor will be presented live for the first time at E-world Energy & Water (February 11-13, 2025, Hall 5, Stand E112).