A strong stimulus for the energy revolution: TÜViT has successfully tested the third Smart Meter Gateway

The energy revolution can begin, at least from the perspective of smart metering. Until now, tested and certified Smart Meter Gateways (SMGW) from at least three different manufacturers have been missing for the nationwide roll-out. Manufacturers, together with TÜViT as the inspection body and the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) have now reached this milestone and completed the evaluation and certification process for a third SMGW.

The Smart Meter Gateways ensure that consumption data from the domestic environment can be processed in the gateway and transmitted from the meter to the metering point service provider in accordance with data protection regulations. "The Smart Meter Gateway is the key product for IT security within the energy revolution. We are very pleased that we have made a decisive contribution towards ensuring that the long-awaited roll-out can now begin", explains Dirk Kretzschmar, Managing Director of TÜViT.

The Smart Meter Gateway from EMH has been successfully tested and certified

The BSI certificate was awarded to EMH metering GmbH & Co. KG at a ceremony held yesterday in the Federal Ministry of Economics. Prior to this, the technology company for digital systems had its mandatory IT security architecture for the Smart Meter Gateway (SMGW) tested at TÜViT in Essen during a lengthy process which tested its resistance to IT attacks of every kind. The basis for the audit was the internationally recognized Common Criteria (CC - ISO 15408) - a complex test procedure for the verification of IT security, which can be performed by only a few inspection bodies. "We already successfully tested Smart Meter Gateways from two other manufacturers in December 2018 and September 2019", reports Marcus Krechel, Head of the Evaluation and Validation Department at TÜViT, with visible pride. This was followed by their certification by the BSI, which means that the market declaration including the third manufacturer can now take place.

TÜViT is currently the only inspection body that has successfully completed the testing of Smart Meter Gateways in accordance with CC as defined in the German certification scheme. These are being continuously developed. Currently, the second generation of devices is already under development, which will allow them to be used not only for more complex measurements but also to control electrical devices.

All good things come in threes

However, before the next generation is launched, the utilities industry first has to take action. Many metering point service providers in Germany have been waiting for the certification of the third SMGW and are already lining up for a nationwide roll-out. With the market declaration, the use of smart meters is now mandatory for households that exceed a certain annual consumption. The advantage of the intelligent and now also highly secure and data protection compliant measuring systems is obvious. Measured data can be made available for various purposes in a legally compliant and tamper-proof manner. Apart from billing according to new and flexible tariffs, which are now available for the first time, they can also be used to scale up smart grids. Information is required from both the supplier and the consumer. This supports the urgently needed compensation for increasing grid fluctuations caused by the growing supply of electricity from renewable energies. Although electricity generated by sun and wind protects the climate and the environment, its production is weather-dependent and therefore quite unstable.

About TÜViT

TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH focuses solely on security in information technology and, as an independent testing service provider for IT security, is an international leader. Numerous corporations already benefit from the TÜViT-tested security. Its portfolio includes cyber security, software and hardware evaluation, IoT/Industry 4.0, data protection, ISMS, Smart Energy, mobile security, automotive security, eID and identity verification services as well as the testing and certification of data centers for physical security and high availability. TÜV Informationstechnik, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Essen, Germany, is a member of the TÜV NORD GROUP, one of the world's largest technology service providers with over 10,000 employees and business activities in 70 countries worldwide.

TÜViT is the brand of the IT division of the TÜV NORD GROUP and is one of six global business units.