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MID-certified energy meters in smart wallboxes

 15 December 2023
Reliable data for the energy transition

In view of the urgent need for action in terms of sustainability and rising energy costs, we are facing a paradigm shift in the way we deal with energy. Decentralized energy generation and electromobility are key elements of this change and require the transition to progressive energy concepts. In addition to many technological challenges, two classic basic values play a major role in the acceptance of the new concepts: accuracy and trust - the domain of WAGO's MID-certified energy meters.

As part of the energy transition, experts emphasize the need to shift electrical loads more and more in the direction of electrical generation. The idea is to make use of the energy at a time and place close to when and where it is generated; doing so can reduce transmission losses and increase system efficiency. This supports grid stability while also helping create a resilient energy ecosystem. As the proportion of energy derived from volatile renewable sources increases – in particular, solar and wind power – increases, coordination of energy consumption and storage needs to improve.

Against this background, decentralization of energy generation is becoming a defining trend, as a decentralized energy architecture develops alongside big power plants and large-scale transmission grids. Photovoltaic systems transform buildings into miniature power plants; heat pumps draw on energy from the environment for heat generation; and energy storage systems guarantee a continuous, weather-independent power supply.

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A key concept for overcoming this complexity is so-called sector coupling.
Thomas Haupt, Research Assistant at the Feuchtwangen Campus

Linking Everything Together Intelligently

This transformation poses great challenges: integrating diversified energy sources, handling variable loads and coordinating different energy consumption sectors will require innovative strategies. “So-called ‘sector coupling’ is a key concept when it comes to coping with this complexity. This means integrating the energy generation, storage and consumption sectors into a uniform system. In this connection, we primarily consider electrical and thermal energy, as well as electromobility,” explains Thomas Haupt, a research associate at Ansbach University’s Feuchtwangen campus.

For his dissertation, he is currently researching the practical implementation of home energy management systems (HEMS). “For a more sustainable future, we are linking elements like solar systems, heat pumps, e-vehicles and energy storage systems together at the Feuchtwangen Energy Campus, transforming buildings into intelligent units that maintain a balance between energy generation and consumption.” Such integration necessitates advanced control systems, networked devices and end-to-end communication: “This integrated system is based on data derived from precise recording and monitoring of energy and energy flows. Ideally, such data comes from MID-certified energy meters,” says Haupt.

The international “Smart Energy Systems” master’s program teaches students about the technical, economic and environmental foundations of modern energy systems. One important aspect is practical implementation and application of the knowledge.

MID Meters: Guarantee Accuracy and Reliability

Energy meters that are subject to the European Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) guarantee accurate billing for household or corporate energy consumption within the European Union. In contrast, calibrated meters are used when a specific quantity of energy changes owners. In connection with sector coupling and the integration of different energy sources and loads, MID meters in building units ensure every kilowatt-hour is recorded precisely, make energy flows transparent and provide reliable values for energy management systems base decisions on.

“The role of energy meters becomes even clearer when you consider the financial, regulatory and confidence-building impacts of energy measurement,” emphasizes Andreas Alexander, Project Manager at Amperfied GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. “We equip our ‘connect.business’ wallbox with WAGO MID Meters so we can offer our customers transparency and compliance with legal requirements for their energy data.”

The company combines innovative charging solutions with “Made in Germany” quality: “At Amperfied, we’re part of a 170-year-old tradition of high-quality printing machines – and we also apply this standard to our wallboxes,” says Alexander. “Components purchased from external vendors undergo comprehensive quality and functional testing, because our commitment to quality for our customers extends to every single product. That’s why, besides WAGO TOPJOB® S Rail-Mount Terminal Blocks and WAGO PCB Terminal Blocks, we also use WAGO’s MID energy meters.”

Representing quality and intelligent solutions: René Anschütz (left) is Senior Area Sales Manager for Industry at WAGO and Andreas Alexander is Project Manager at Amperfied GmbH.
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A key concept for overcoming this complexity is so-called sector coupling.
Thomas Haupt, Research Assistant at the Feuchtwangen Campus

High Quality and Easy Handling

For Amperfied, the devices offer many advantages beyond MID certification and the ability to use them throughout a large temperature range: “Our ‘connect’ series of wallboxes has a modular structure; where the module for phase switching is installed in one model, the MID meter needs to be installed in the other one. The WAGO devices’ compact design was an important selection criterion for us. But the Modbus RTU interface, through which the energy meter communicates with our motherboard, is also very important for us.

Another very impressive feature is the spring-clamp terminal blocks, which dramatically reduce assembly cycle time,” explains Alexander. The WAGO Energy Meter is wired via Push-in CAGE CLAMP® terminal blocks with levers, allowing conductors to be inserted easily without tools during installation. “As part of our quality management, we perform all screwing operations with specified torques and have a system to monitor and log them. The spring pressure connection technology in the MID meter saves us a great deal of time and effort while allowing us to uphold our high standard of quality,” reports Alexander.

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Efficient spring pressure connection technology: The MID energy meter is wired via Push-in CAGE CLAMP® terminal blocks with levers. This eliminates time-consuming screw connections during installation, while the spring pressure connection technology ensures 100% maintenance-free operation, increasing the wallboxes’ reliability.

The Energy Transition Requires Data

Amperfied’s wallboxes are also part of the charging infrastructure at the Feuchtwangen energy campus. They are part of university’s electromobility system, but also a subject of research: A test lab for wallboxes has been set up in connection with the Smart Energy Systems program, headed by engineering professor Johannes Jungwirth. “This is where our students learn how the charging infrastructure of tomorrow will work,” as Thomas Haupt explains: “Digitalization plays a major role in this. This includes intelligent wallboxes, networking devices, transparent process communication and, most importantly: reliable data. For optimizing private consumption, in the future it will be crucial to be able to precisely record how much energy is generated or consumed, by whom and when. In addition to active and reactive energy, WAGO’s MID-certified energy meters in the Amperfied wallboxes also record the mains frequency, as well as current, voltage and power for all phases. Haupt and his team use this and many other data sources to optimize energy flows in the coupled sectors.

“For the energy transition to work – for all of us to improve the sustainability of our energy consumption and advance decarbonization – it’s important to have easy-to-use systems people can trust,” says Haupt in summary. “Reliable data is fundamental for this.” Andreas Alexander adds: “We’re already seeing this today: In a condo association where multiple residents share a charging infrastructure, Amperfied wallboxes with MID-certified meters from WAGO ensure correct billing for the energy consumption associated with each charging operation. This promotes transparency, trust and goodwill throughout the whole building.”

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The Feuchtwangen campus not only teaches the basics, but also has its own test bench for wallboxes. A total of four wallboxes from Amperfied’s ‘connect’ series are used for the charging infrastructure on campus.