That changes for consumers

Energy policy

Energy package decided: that comes to consumers

The Bundestag has decided on an extensive energy package that provides for important changes for private and commercial users. It is about photovoltaics, smart meters and biogas.

The Bundestag has adopted an energy package with several changes in the law. Previously, the SPD, Greens and Union had agreed on the projects. Economic and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) spoke of important resolutions for the energy transition and the better integration of renewable energies into the power grid. “The measures contribute to ensuring a safe, affordable and climate -friendly power supply.” However, the projects still have to be done by the Federal Council.

Due to the rapid increase in photovoltaics (PV) systems in Germany and the increasing feed-in on sunny days, the power grid is increasingly stressed. So -called electricity peaks are becoming increasingly common, which in turn lead to net bottlenecks. For this reason, it has now been decided that the network operators in particular can control smaller systems – as they are used in private households – better and more needs -based.

A control is, for example, that owners of small PV systems for the feed-in of their energy obtained are no longer received in public network if the electricity price is negative. For example, the electricity price is negative if the power generation exceeds electricity consumption. (You can find details here.)

Furthermore, network operators should call up the actual feed-in for existing systems from 7 kWp and control their performance, reported “Energy Future”. In the case of plants that have a fixed remuneration, the feed -in can be limited to 60 percent of the installed performance, it is said. On the other hand, if you market your own energy itself and directly, you do not have to expect a restriction in the feed -in. However, you need a smart meter for this.

Stefan Kapferer, head of the transmission system operator 50Hertz, spoke of an important contribution to avoiding impending overload of the power grids. However, it is just as important to create targeted incentives for a network -useful extension and a network -related driving style, according to the expert.

Enpal also expressed itself when asked by T-Online: “The law delivers the right solutions for new systems. It is regrettable that the many existing systems can still feed into the network uncontrollably. In order to change this, the next government should take measures as quickly as possible to stabilize the energy system permanently,” says Markus Meyer, political chief at Enpal, T-Online.

The Federal Association of Solar Economy said that operators of new photovoltaic systems do not have to expect high financial losses at the times of negative stock exchange flow prices. A compensation mechanism grabs. The financial disadvantage for operators of solar systems is therefore limited.

Digital, intelligent electricity meters (smart meters) are to be introduced throughout Germany by 2032. The small devices should help consumers, among other things, to save electricity and enable them to use dynamic electricity tariffs. However, households have to pay an annual fee. And this was increased with the new decision. In the future, households, the electricity consumption of which is over 6,000 kWh a year, will pay at least 40 euros per year instead of 20 euros per year. (Read here what the individual cost increases look like.)

Tom Jannek, energy expert at the Federal Consumer Center, criticized the increase in price upper limits for digital electricity meters. This threatens acceptance for smart meters.

Home memory and small solar systems up to 30 kilowatts receive more flexibility in the electricity market. A new package model should enable you to avoid the previous separation of green and gray electricity. As a result, you can easily act as a provider of flexibility on the electricity markets for the first time.

For many biogas plants, the funding ended in this and last year. So the company no longer profitable. Numerous operators therefore considered to shut down their facilities (you can find out details here).