Since January 1, 2024, all newly installed private charging stations for electric vehicles in Germany must be commissioned in accordance with Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG). In this article, we’ll explain what this means for your wallbox and highlight the key considerations you should keep in mind.
Contents
Summary: Section 14a EnWG for Wallboxes
Technical Control Options
Conclusion
Background
As part of the energy transition, a growing number of charging stations for electric vehicles, battery storage systems, and heat pumps are expected to be connected to private households in the coming years. To ensure that new consumers can be integrated into the grid without long delays—and to maintain a stable and reliable electricity supply—more than 500 electricity grid operators (EVUs) across Germany must be able to prevent overload situations.
To address these challenges, the Federal Network Agency introduced new regulations in 2023 for integrating “controllable consumption devices” and “controllable grid connections” under Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG).
Important Note:
As of January 1, 2024, all new private wallboxes must comply with Section 14a EnWG guidelines.
Existing wallboxes installed before January 1, 2024, are grandfathered in and are not subject to these new requirements.
Summary of Section 14a EnWG for Wallboxes
Scope:Any wallbox with a minimum charging capacity of 4.2 kW (6A per phase) falls under Section 14a EnWG. In practice, this means all private EV charging stations are included.
No More Approval Required for 22kW Wallboxes:Network operators can no longer refuse the connection of a charging station. Previously, a 22kW wallbox required special approval, but this is no longer the case. Although Section 14a went into effect on January 1, 2024, many electricity network operators are still in a transitional phase and may not have fully updated their websites with the new rules.
Grid Stabilization:While wallbox owners now have fewer hurdles to connect to the grid, network operators have gained the right to temporarily reduce (or “dim”) a wallbox’s charging power during potential grid overload scenarios. Such interventions:
Are only permitted in emergencies.
Can last a maximum of 2 hours per day.
Must be transparently documented by the network operator.
Even when throttled, the network operator must still provide each charging station with at least 4.1 kW (6A).
Reduced Grid Fees:With these new stabilization measures in place, wallbox owners may also benefit from reduced grid charges in the future.
Implementing “Dimming” by Network Operators
At present, many network operators are only outlining the basic requirements that would enable future control of charging stations. Often, this involves installing a control cable to the wallbox. Intelligent “FNN” control boxes for private households are not yet in use.
Typical Technical Control Options:
Ripple Control Receivers:Using established ripple control technology, network operators can send control signals to reduce charging power.
DaheimLader Touch:
Equipped with a potential-free contact (located to the left of the PE connection) for communication with a ripple control receiver.
This contact can be used to adjust the wallbox’s charging current in 1-ampere steps down to a minimum of 6A (4.1 kW).
DaheimLader Smart:
Does not include a potential-free contact, so direct dimming via a ripple control receiver is not possible.
Power Outage – Reduction to Single-Phase Operation:To guarantee a minimum charging capacity of 4.1 kW, the grid operator could potentially deactivate certain phases (L2 and L3), leaving only one phase (16A) active. This ensures continuous, albeit reduced, charging.
In the event of a phased reduction, the DaheimLader Touch and DaheimLader Smart will not register an error when phases L2 and L3 are switched off. They will continue charging on one phase.
To ensure automatic resumption of charging after the network operator’s intervention, the wallbox should be operated in “plug-and-charge” mode.
FNN Control Boxes and Smart Meter Gateways (Future Implementation):Beginning around 2028, control boxes paired with next-generation smart meters (smart meter gateways) will allow more “intelligent” interaction between network operators and household devices. Communication would occur via open interfaces (potential-free contacts, Modbus, EEBus).
Both DaheimLader Touch and Smart currently support ModBus TCP, allowing for future integration of FNN controls as soon as they become available.
Conclusion
Over the next year or two, it’s unlikely that many network operators will exercise their right to dim wallboxes or require additional control technology from private households. We expect that grid control measures, in conjunction with the rollout of smart meter infrastructure, will initially be introduced to commercial enterprises with large electricity loads from 2025 onwards. Private households will likely begin receiving modern smart meter gateways starting in 2028.
For now, we recommend installing an additional control cable to your wallbox so you can quickly and easily adapt to any future requirements imposed by your network operator. This simple precaution will help ensure your charging setup remains both compliant and flexible in the years to come.
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