Aachen, 11 November 2024 – In spring 2024, gridX, Europe’s leading smart energy company, announced the development of a new module, the “Grid Signal Processor,” dedicated to controlling flexible consumption units in the low-voltage grid by distribution system operators (DSOs), supporting §14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG). This module is an expansion of the gridX portfolio, allowing energy providers to combine modules flexibly to deliver advanced energy management solutions for home energy management and e-mobility use cases quickly and reliably. After completing the development and testing phases, the “Grid Signal Processor” is now being rolled out.
“Grid Signal Processor” prevents impact from emergency dimming per §14a and increases transparency
Within just a few months, gridX developed and launched the “Grid Signal Processor,” addressing the complex processes involved in this highly specialized field. The module is designed specifically for situations where DSOs, per §14a, must send dimming signals to high-consumption energy assets in households during emergencies. Systems with individual power above 4.2 kilowatts – such as private charge points, heat pumps, batteries and air conditioning devices – are subject to throttling. To maintain household comfort, gridX technology swiftly and effectively manages consumption limitations in these scenarios. When the gridBox detects a limitation signal, it utilizes alternative energy sources – such as available PV electricity or household battery-stored energy – to compensate for restrictions. Household usage, especially lighting, remains unaffected, as this is exempt from limitations under §14a EnWG. By optimizing local energy flows, gridX meets DSO restrictions while maintaining household comfort and supporting grid stability.
Smart metering, control boxes and CLS as essential partners for successful energy optimization
For the gridX smart energy management system to process §14a-compliant signals securely, it requires smooth and stable communication between the local EMS and the on-site control device. gridX has successfully tested the CLS adapter control from PPC and Theben’s control box, ensuring smooth operation and future support for new products. To enhance interoperability for end-users of gridX technology, the company plans to support control boxes from multiple manufacturers and is currently undergoing EEBUS qualification. This ensures future compatibility with control devices from additional manufacturers. Communication between control boxes and gridX technology relies on a digital interface and the EEBUS protocol. This protocol enables compatibility with heat pumps, EV charging stations and inverters from storage and photovoltaic (PV) systems, depending on manufacturer support.
Read more about our “Grid Signal Processor” module.
((Illustration: © gridX GmbH, Reprint free of charge))
The development of the new “Grid Signal Processor” module is complete. With this, gridX now enables its customers to meet the requirements of §14a EnWG directly “behind the meter.”
gridX is Europe's leading smart energy company based in Aachen and Munich. With its IoT platform XENON, gridX enables manufacturer-independent monitoring and management of distributed energy resources. XENON allows partners to develop and scale energy management solutions faster than ever before. By partnering with gridX, Fastned is able to install more charging points at sites without the need for costly grid extensions, and the Viessmann Group is able to offer its customers intelligent and integrated home energy management systems.
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