Energy: Obtaining cheaper electricity with smart meters will soon be mandatory

Whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing could soon have a direct impact on electricity prices, according to government plans. Widespread use should make this possible intelligent electricity meterr and the introduction flexible tariffs. On Wednesday, the federal government passed a corresponding draft law: By the year 2032, all analog electricity meter be replaced by digital ones. Consumers will soon be able to read electricity prices on their meters at any time.

According to Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens), it is an important step on the way to a new digitized energy system. He explained that the expansion of renewable energies as well as the increased use of electric cars and heat pumps would make it necessary to intelligently link electricity generation and consumption. Digital electricity meters, so-called “smart meters” should set the course for this.

Digital electricity meters: Smart meters display the flexible electricity price

smart meters are in constant contact with the providers. The networked measuring devices send them data on the electricity and heat consumption of the household. Consumers should also be able to view the data, for example via an app. This should transparency manufacture, energy savings allow and total for a higher energy efficiency to care. Consumers could then use electricity when it is cheap or available and thus stabilize the energy system.

Thomas Koller from the Association of Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE) assured the dpa: Even those who are domestic appliances traditionally control at the push of a button, could benefit from an intelligent electricity meter. Because the smart meters can display the electricity prices themselves. So could vacuuming, rinsing or doing laundry be cheaper when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.

Digital electricity meters: Solar systems and heat pumps could be more worthwhile, but there are additional costs

Also solar systems could be worth more. Because: When electricity is fed into the grid, the meters also register it. “I can think to myself: Today it’s raining, tomorrow the sun should shine – so I’d better turn on the tumble dryer tomorrow to use the electricity I’ve generated myself,” explains Koller.

Not more than 20 Euros should the new electricity meters cost in a year, Habeck guarantees. “It shouldn’t fail because of the price,” said the Economics Minister. According to the Federal Association of Consumers, it can be up to 50 euros a year for houses with controllable consumption devices such as heat pumps. Additionally, the cost of installing a new one could meter cabinet incurred, which amount to a one-time fee of up to 30 euros. Read about it: Meter exchange: Digital electricity meters cause extra costs

There are concerns about that privacy. Habeck asserts that this would even be strengthened by precise requirements for the deletion and storage of the data. Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), is missing a coherent one overall concept. If all customers who want this receive an intelligent meter, it would be inefficient in the ramp-up phase. It would be better to prioritize who has a greater benefit for the overall system at the beginning. (os/dpa)

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