Berlin.
Electricity is expensive. Intelligent metering systems can control the energy consumption of households. But they don’t always make sense.
According to Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck, most electricity bills still show the “old energy world” – the world in which nuclear, coal and gas-fired power plants are easy to plan and even current delivered. The price: fixed and the same for every kilowatt hour. That will change in the future. This requires adjustments.
In the new energy world, the renewable energies provide such sun and wind most electricity. This is more on sunny and windy days, less on calm and overcast days. Germany must now adapt its energy consumption to this: Electricity should be used more when there is a lot and it is also offered cheaper.
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They should old electric meter be replaced by so-called smart meters, intelligent measuring systems. Not only do they have a digital display like some of the newer electricity meters, they are equipped with another small device: the smart meter gateway, which connects them to the Internet.
The devices can send the recorded data to a smartphone or computer, also to network operator. And: if their technology allows it, they can control the washing machine, for example. A law is to come into force in the spring that will promote the installation of smart meters. The Federal Cabinet has approved the draft, now it is the Bundestag’s turn.
How does a smart meter change my energy consumption?
The smart meters should measure a household’s electricity consumption every quarter of an hour, which can then be displayed as a curve on an app or a web portal – and it can be traced which device uses electricity and when. And: Who a so-called dynamic electricity tariff washing clothes is cheaper when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining. The price varies – depending on the offer. Expensive phases can be avoided with everything that is not tied to times.
These dynamic tariffs are still rare. From 2025 everyone should power companies but have to offer one. Those who control their devices via an app can then specify that they start when the electricity is cheap.
Will smart meters be mandatory in the future?
From 2025, all customers who wish to do so should register within four months smart meters receive. A smart meter will be mandatory from 2025 for all larger households with a consumption of more than 6000 kilowatt hours per year, as well as for those who generate their own electricity, for example via a solar system with an output of more than seven kilowatts. A four-person household uses an average of 3500 kilowatt hours per year.
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But: Under certain circumstances, this too could soon be converted to a smart meter, explains Thomas Engelke, who works at the Federation of Consumers (VZBV) heads the Energy and Construction team. “If the meter operator or the landlord decides to install smart meters across the street or the entire house, then consumers can’t defend themselves.”
Where can I get a smart meter?
If you want to buy a smart meter, you turn to the metering point operator – in addition to electricity providers and network operators, the third party in the federal government for the power supply. A spokesman for the energy company E.on explains that the meter will be changed three months in advance, and an appointment will be made.
The change takes 30 to 60 minutes. Installing the meter costs nothing, installing a new one meter cabinet, should this become necessary, but yes – and that could be expensive, warns Engelke. However, it must be paid by the owners, not by the tenants.
A usage fee is charged as for the analog meter, but it is capped: In the future, private households and small system operators will only have to pay 20 euros a year, while the fee is currently up to more than 100 euros.
When does an intelligent measuring system pay off?
“If you have a heat pump or a electric car that you charge at home, then you can say: A dynamic electricity tariff with a smart meter is worth it!” says Hermann-Josef Tenhagen, editor-in-chief of “financial tip”. There are also bakers who cool down their refrigeration rooms properly during the hours with cheap electricity, so that they can let the temperatures rise slightly again in the hours when prices are higher.
The following applies: the higher the consumption, the more advantages the new electricity tariffs bring. “But if you live in a 60-square-meter apartment, you won’t get much out of them,” says Tenhagen. The energy consumption of the usual household appliances is too low for the price differences of the dynamic electricity tariffs to be clearly noticeable, especially since smart meters consume energy themselves. That would be for at best tech nerds interesting who enjoy the intelligent control of devices.
The dynamic electricity tariffs are also not entirely without, says Tenhagen. “The electricity costs are not plan able, they can be 22 euros one month, but also 102 euros another month if things are going badly. This is especially difficult for people on a tight budget.”
What about privacy?
When do you get up? When are you traveling? This can be understood by someone who follows the current data. But Minister Habeck explains: “We have it data protection strengthened again.” That means, explains Tenhagen: There will be pseudonyms for private households so that third parties cannot connect the data with the real people. The data would also be deleted or made anonymous after three years at the latest.
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And a hacker attack? “You can’t rule that out with any electronic device,” says consumer advocate Engelke. But all smart meters would have to be approved by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). Tenhagen and Engelke agree: there are no alternatives to the new electricity meters. The power grid needs a constant basic voltage and therefore incentives to use electricity when the wind is blowing strongly.
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