The project
Powerline research: The "Smart Technology Planning" funding project (STeP) researches and designs new approaches for planning expansion measures in the electricity grid. A model-based Powerline Communication (PLC) planning methodology is used to develop practical communication solutions for the intelligent energy grid.

The goals of the project are
- the development of planning instruments for a holistic network planning,
- an improved network state detection,
- the development of measurement technology for the optimal use of existing network capacities
- and the development of secure information and communication technologies for the connection of network resources.
The developments are specifically accompanied by field and laboratory tests to ensure practical and realistic closeness.
devolo’s project contribution
- Development of PLC simulation environments for use in network planning, in order to minimize costs in the course of PLC installation and planning.
The project consortium

Institute for High Voltage Technology, RWTH Aachen
Founded in 1870, RWTH Aachen University is now divided into 9 faculties with a total of around 45,000 students and more than 500 professors. The Institute for High Voltage Technology (IFHT) under the provisional direction of Prof. Moser is part of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at RWTH Aachen University.
devolo AG
devolo AG supplies hardware for the intelligent power grid. As a powerline pioneer, devolo is a proven expert for data communication via the power line. In this project, devolo is researching how powerline KPIs (key performance indicators) can be calculated to enable optimum PLC network planning.
University of Duisburg-Essen
The University of Duisburg-Essen was created in 2003 from the merger of the formerly independent universities in Duisburg and Essen. With its 11 faculties, 478 professorships, 5,793 employees and 42,700 students, it is one of the largest universities in Germany. Under the direction of Prof. Holger Hirsch, the chair deals with the use of information technology in energy systems in a variety of research and industrial projects.
Schleswig-Holstein Netz
Schleswig-Holstein Netz AG operates electricity and gas grids in around 1,000 municipalities in Schleswig-Holstein and northern Lower Saxony and is responsible for the safe and reliable operation of the energy grids. As a partner of Energiewende, the company has connected around 33,500 renewable energy plants to its grids in recent years.
Regionetz GmbH (associated)
Regionetz GmbH is the network operator for the city of Aachen, the city region of Aachen and parts of the districts of Düren and Heinsberg. In addition to the regulated electricity and gas grids, it also operates water and heat grids. With around 600 employees, Regionetz bundles all tasks relating to construction, operation, network management, asset and meter management.