In Brief
- Interest in smart meters has increased significantly since their introduction
- Households are more concerned than ever with their own electricity consumption
- But: 93 percent no longer have any insight into energy policy measures
Press Release
Berlin, March 18, 2024 – Intelligent power grids, smart meters, heating control via smartphone: A large majority of Germans (83 percent) see digitalization as an opportunity for the energy transition. That is an increase of 9 percentage points compared to 2023, when it was 74 percent.
Only 13 percent rate digitalization as a risk for the energy transition (2023: 19 percent). In particular, interest in so-called smart meters, i.e. intelligent consumption meters that consist of a digital electricity meter and a so-called smart meter gateway, has increased again. Already 63 percent can imagine using a smart meter in their household.
At the beginning of the market launch of smart meters in January 2020, only 36 percent of people in Germany were open to this technology. This is shown by the results of a current representative survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom among 1,005 people in Germany aged 18 and over. “Digitalization is crucial for a successful energy transition.
Only with smart grids can the energy from sun and wind be balanced with high and at the same time fluctuating consumption levels from electric cars or heat pumps. Smart meters are the key to a sustainable, digitally controlled energy supply,” says Bitkom board member Matthias Hartmann.
“Energy efficiency, climate protection and decarbonization are inextricably linked to digitalization,” emphasizes Bitkom sustainability expert Niklas Meyer-Breitkreutz. “We must exhaust all digital and technological possibilities to achieve our climate goals and mitigate climate change. To achieve this, technologies that have clear advantages for the climate and the environment compared to traditional processes must be brought into the area quickly.”
As the Bitkom study “Climate Effects of Digitalization” shows, Germany can achieve a significant portion of the necessary CO2 savings by accelerating the use of digital technologies. There is great potential in the areas of energy, buildings and industry, among others.
Note on methodology
The information is based on a survey that Bitkom Research conducted on behalf of the digital association Bitkom. 1,005 people in Germany aged 18 and over were surveyed by telephone. The survey took place between week 5 and week 8. The survey is representative.
