DLMS User Association (DLMS UA) and EEBus Initiative e.V. have signed a liaison agreement to strengthen interoperability between DLMS/COSEM and EEBUS through standardised mapping between their data models. The work aims to provide a common foundation for data to be exchanged and used consistently across metering and energy management systems.
Heat pumps, EV chargers and battery storage increasingly connect energy demand in buildings with requirements from the grid and the market. Coordinating these devices requires the systems involved to interpret information consistently. DLMS/COSEM provides standardised, secure data exchange for smart metering, sub-metering and gateways, while EEBUS defines cross-manufacturer communication between energy-relevant devices and their interaction with the grid and the market. The collaboration aims to connect these two areas.
The agreement provides a framework for exchanging technical documents and drafts, aligning roadmaps and collaborating through Working Groups and Task Forces. The organisations aim to build on each other’s existing work and develop shared use cases for energy management and flexibility in line with the ongoing standardization work on common edge data exchange architecture.
“Energy-relevant devices need a common language to respond to requirements from the grid and the market. Together with the DLMS User Association, we want to strengthen data exchange between metering and energy management. A standardised mapping should give manufacturers and system integrators a clear foundation for bringing both standards together in interoperable solutions,” says Dr. George Hallak, Director Standardisation at EEBus Initiative e.V.
“Smart metering and sub-metering data have an important role to play in managing energy use and flexibility in buildings. For that to happen, metering and energy management systems need to interpret the data consistently. Our collaboration with EEBus will focus on developing mapping between our data models and practical use cases, with a shared approach to testing interoperability. This work can help turn trusted metering data into useful information for consumers, energy providers and the wider grid,” says Sergio Lazzarotto, President of DLMS UA.
Key areas of collaboration
The agreed work programme identifies the following areas of collaboration:
- Standardised mapping: The partners will develop mappings between DLMS/COSEM and EEBUS data models, as specified in relevant parts of the IEC 62056, IEC 63510 and IEC 63380 series, taking into account the SAREF framework.
- Joint standardisation activities: The organisations intend to support relevant national and international standardisation activities and collaborate on SAREF-related projects within the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
- Aligned roadmaps and use cases: Priorities include demand-side flexibility, the coordination of distributed energy resources, and services for the grid and the market. Both organisations intend to exchange roadmaps and jointly address technical requirements.
- Conformity assessment and interoperability testing: Relevant EEBus procedures for devices implementing DLMS/COSEM are to be aligned with the existing DLMS UA qualification process. The partners will also collaborate on testing and certification approaches for implementations of the jointly developed data mapping.
Through this collaboration, DLMS UA and EEBus aim to create a foundation for new services that give consumers greater insight into energy consumption, costs and energy efficiency. The liaison is non-exclusive, and both organisations remain independent.
About EEBus Initiative
EEBus Initiative e.V. is a cross-manufacturer, non-profit organisation behind the open EEBUS standard for energy management. The standard connects energy-relevant devices in buildings – including heat pumps, EV chargers, battery storage and home appliances – with each other and with the grid and the market. The initiative brings together companies and experts across industries to develop interoperable communication for the digitalisation of the energy transition.
About the DLMS User Association
The DLMS User Association is a not-for-profit organization and a leading voice internationally in interoperable and secure data exchange. It develops and maintains the globally recognized DLMS specifications, which define the DLMS/COSEM data model, format and application layer. Its certification program guarantees product compliance with the DLMS specifications and compatibility with application-specific profiles, supporting interoperable implementations. Through formal liaison agreements with international and regional standardization bodies, it works to address market needs and promote consistent standards across regions and sectors.