Precise Energy Sharing in Multi-Family Buildings with PIONIERKRAFTwerk 3.0 and Shelly Pro 3EM
Overview
This Use case comes from our partners PIONIERKRAFT. Their product enables surplus photovoltaic (PV) energy in multi‑family buildings to be distributed efficiently, in full regulatory compliance, and economically to additional apartments - without complex tenant‑electricity bureaucracy, without feeding into the grid, and without smart‑meter obligations.
For more info on the products you can visit their website https://pionierkraft.de/unser-produkt/ PIONIERKRAFT offers profitable energy sharing in multi-family buildings through a smart mix of hardware, software and service.
At the heart of the system is the PIONIERKRAFTwerk (Generation 3.0), complemented by the PIONIERKRAFTlink and a web‑based portal for monitoring, billing, and contract management.
The system uses true physical forwarding of PV surplus (up to 2 kW per unit) via direct lines. Any residual demand continues to be supplied by the freely selectable energy supplier. The energy‑sharing solution is suitable for buildings with up to 20 residential units per house‑service connection in Germany - both for existing buildings and new construction.
In every project, Shelly Pro 3EM devices are used: centrally to record the PV system’s surplus and to determine the current consumption of the respective apartments. This allows the PIONIERKRAFT system to know how much PV power is available for onward distribution and how much is required in each dwelling.
The PIONIERKRAFTlink evaluates the power‑meter data and forwards it to the PIONIERKRAFTwerk units. Each PIONIERKRAFTwerk then transfers, depending on generation and consumption, the share of surplus energy to the respective apartment. A calibrated meter inside the PIONIERKRAFTwerk measures the delivered energy to enable legally robust billing.
Initial Situation & Challenges
For a long time, local distribution of PV surplus electricity in multi‑apartment buildings outside of classic tenant‑electricity models was only feasible with significant administrative effort and limited economic viability. A solution was therefore sought that would offer installation companies a practice‑proven concept while simultaneously enabling owners to achieve a measurable increase in self‑consumption without complex supplier obligations, extensive IT infrastructure, or long implementation timelines.
Solution & Implementation
Within the PIONIERKRAFT system, the Shelly Pro 3EM is used as a measurement device to capture live, per‑second data on energy consumption and feed‑in. The LAN or Wi‑Fi interface avoids complicated cabling. The transformer‑based measurement of the Shelly increases installation flexibility. Its compact form factor is also a major advantage for electricians, as comparable devices with similar functionality are often significantly larger. For PIONIERKRAFT, the precision and tolerances of the Shelly devices are ideally suited to ensure reliable billing.
Because projects within Shelly’s PRO device series are professional by design, the Professional version is predestined for use in PIONIERKRAFT projects. At least two measurement points are installed per project - one for the PV surplus and another for the respective apartment.
Looking ahead, integration of a higher‑performance version (400 A variant) is planned to connect even larger systems.
Results
More than 1,000 Shelly devices have already been delivered by PIONIERKRAFT and the number is rising sharply. Installers report a stable, well‑scalable solution. Owners and tenants benefit from local, affordable electricity generated by their own photovoltaic system. This makes energy sharing in multi‑family buildings practically viable while contributing to grid relief and CO₂ reduction.
Conclusion
PIONIERKRAFT demonstrates how energy sharing in multi‑family buildings can be implemented with technical rigor, economic appeal, and regulatory assurance. Shelly Pro 3EM provides the reliable measurement foundation on which demand‑driven distribution, transparent billing, and scalable projects can be built. The result is a professional solution beyond classic tenant‑electricity concepts that opens up new business fields for installation companies and sustainably increases the value added by photovoltaic systems in multi‑apartment properties.
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