The Berlin software company PSI and the Essen-based energy producer E.ON have now announced the conclusion of a long-term contract for the introduction of a new and unified network control system for E.ON's network companies in Germany. Network control systems are used to control energy flows in the electricity and gas network to ensure a reliable and secure energy supply. The project aims to standardize the control systems of German distribution system operators by 2029. The modular PSI control system platform “Control System of the Future” (CSF) will be used for this purpose. The new control system is designed to reduce operating and maintenance costs in the long term, thus making grid operation more efficient. It also enables further automation, increases safety standards and has a future-proof, open software architecture.

In Germany, more than 95 percent of renewable energy plants, such as wind or photovoltaic, are connected to the distribution networks. With the heat and transport transition, millions of electric vehicles and heat pumps will also have to be integrated into the grid in the coming years. To meet these challenges, E.ON is continuously developing its networks and system management.

“As the playmaker of the energy transition, we are investing heavily in the digitalization of our networks. The new, unified network control system is an essential building block for this and an important step towards standardization. At the same time, a modular system is being created that can be expanded and can thus react flexibly to future requirements,” explains Harald Heß, Senior Vice President Energy Networks Technology & Innovation at E.ON.

To ensure the project's success, PSI and E.ON are relying on agile principles and a partnership-based approach. This will involve PSI setting up a dedicated customer division that will work closely with E.ON's key supplier management. The common goal is to make an important contribution to reliable, economical and sustainable grid management in the future, with key topics such as sector coupling and holistic optimization of the energy system becoming more important.

“We are very proud that E.ON is relying on PSI, its long-standing partner, to implement a new and unified network control system,” says Robert Klaffus, CEO of PSI. ”This confirms our strategy of technologically redefining grid management of the future with the development of our new control system generation, while at the same time relying on proven modules. This is how we support our customers in the best possible way in meeting the requirements of an ever more dynamic market and energy system”.

According to PSI, the development of the ‘Control System of the Future’ is an important step in the implementation of the ‘PSI reloaded’ strategy program. It is intended to underline PSI's innovative strength, future orientation and competitiveness. The first pilot unit is to be equipped with the new system at the beginning of 2028.

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