Understanding the energy transition made easy – and how the stromleser helps.

"Everyone's energy transition is our collective path to a better future" - Torben Gösch

The energy transition is one of the greatest social and economic upheavals of our time. It is characterized by the transformation towards a climate-neutral energy system and is a key instrument for the German government in the fight against climate change .
Underlying this development is the desire to combine prosperity and climate protection in the long term. Numerous initiatives and funding programs – for example, from federal ministries and energy associations – actively support this transformation. Experts from politics and the energy sector also emphasize the importance of a holistic energy policy for a sustainable future in current discussions.

The energy transition is firmly anchored politically – for example, in the EU Green Deal , the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) , and through national expansion targets for photovoltaics, wind energy, and storage technologies . But it is by no means just a project of governments and energy suppliers. Rising electricity prices , the desire for self-consumption , and transparency in energy consumption show that everyone plays a crucial role.

The challenges of the energy transition and the path to renewable energies

The energy transition brings many opportunities , but also challenges . One of these is the fluctuating electricity production from wind and solar power . While fossil fuel power plants could deliver a consistent supply, generation from renewable sources fluctuates – making grid stability a key task. Added to this are rising electricity prices and grid fees , which are noticeable for consumers.
At the same time, decentralized energy generation is growing: More and more households are relying on photovoltaic systems or balcony power plants .

Following the phase-out of nuclear power and the planned phase-out of gas, Germany faces the task of significantly reducing its primary energy consumption and continuously increasing the share of renewable energies .
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), increasing energy efficiency is seen as a crucial lever to simultaneously ensure security of supply , climate protection and economic stability .

The increasing electrification of households, buildings and industry leads to a steadily growing use of electricity for heating, mobility and appliances .
To specifically identify efficiency potentials here, research and innovation are needed – for example in the development of hydrogen technologies and storage solutions .
Improving data transparency through smart reading systems like the power meter reader is an important step towards making this transformation measurable and controllable .

But here lies another problem: the lack of transparency regarding consumption . Many people know their meter reading , but don't know their actual current electricity consumption . Whether it's an analog Ferraris meter , a modern digital meter , or a smart meter – each model has its own capabilities and limitations when it comes to recording consumption.
👉 You can find a detailed comparison of the different electricity meters here.

The role of consumers in Germany's energy future

Private households , as well as transport and agriculture , play an important role in the energy transition . The focus is increasingly on a decentralized, flexible energy supply , with each federal state pursuing its own strategies .
At the same time, companies are driving the development of efficient technologies for heat generation and energy management in order to use resources more sustainably .

But the energy transition is not just happening politically , but also in everyday life . Private households now account for a significant portion of total electricity consumption in Germany.
According to Statista (2024), households accounted for around 28% of electricity consumption .
This shows that consumers have a crucial lever in their hands.
Those who know and control their energy consumption save costs and contribute to the stability and sustainability of the energy system.

Possible measures:

• ☀️ Photovoltaic systems on the roof

• 🔋 Battery storage for self-sufficiency

• 🌡️ Heat pumps for climate-friendly heating

• ⚡ Balcony power plants for getting started with self-generation

If you're still looking for a suitable balcony power plant, feel free to take a look here .

This makes it clear: The energy transition is not just an abstract goal decided upon in government policies, but a process that begins on a small scale – in our own homes, with every single consumption decision. Millions of small steps add up to significant progress for the energy system of the future.

This makes it clear: The energy transition is not just an abstract goal decided upon in government policies, but a process that begins on a small scale – in our own homes, with every single consumption decision. Millions of small steps add up to significant progress for the energy system of the future.

The challenges and the role of consumers clearly demonstrate that the success of the energy transition requires not only the expansion of renewable energies, but also transparency and participation in everyday life . This is precisely where the stromleser comes in.

How the electricity reader supports the energy transition in everyday life

The stromleser is a smart infrared reader that attaches to the optical interface of a digital electricity meter . It records consumption data in real time and transmits it via Wi-Fi to the stromleser app or smart home systems . In the stromleser app, users can view their current electricity consumption, power usage, meter reading, and any potential feed-in to the grid . Depending on the product model (e.g., stromleser.one), historical statistics are also available. This makes previously hidden electricity consumption data visible – an important foundation for using electricity more efficiently, reducing costs, and actively contributing to the energy transition.

If you would like to learn more about how to read your electricity meter via app – including all the functions of the electricity meter app – then read on here .

To meet the different needs, there are two product variants:

• stromleser.one : the plug-and-play solution that can be installed without any technical expertise . The stromleser app displays the data graphically and numerically in real time – simple, clear, and accessible at any time.
• stromleser.tasmota : the flexible option for technically savvy users . It utilizes the open-source software Tasmota and can be integrated into the Stromleser app and systems like Home Assistant. This enables individual customizations and advanced analyses, also based on real-time data.

These functions provide consumers with concrete support in their everyday lives:

📊 Real-time transparency: Electricity consumption data is displayed and can be analyzed in real time.

⚡ Optimizing self-consumption: Households with PV systems or balcony power plants particularly benefit: Devices can be used specifically when the home system is supplying electricity.

💶 Cost control and increased efficiency: Energy guzzlers in the household become identifiable. Users can take targeted measures to save energy, from replacing inefficient appliances to making small changes in behavior.

🔌 Contribution to grid stability: Those who adapt their consumption to the availability of renewable energies relieve the grids and promote the integration of wind and solar power.

Conclusion:

The energy transition is not a distant future project , but a task that affects every single person. Political frameworks and the expansion of renewable energies are important building blocks – but only the interplay of transparency, personal initiative, and everyday action will make it truly successful.

This is precisely where the electricity meter comes in: It creates visibility into electricity consumption , enables conscious control of self-consumption , and thus supports not only personal cost control but also the stability of the entire energy system . Whether with a photovoltaic system, a balcony power plant, or simply through greater transparency in the household – everyone can contribute with small steps.

FAQ:

What challenges does the energy transition bring?
Fluctuating electricity production from renewable energy sources, rising electricity prices, and decentralized energy generation present new challenges for consumers and grid operators. Added to this is the lack of transparency in electricity consumption: many households know their meter reading but have no overview of their current consumption or energy-guzzling appliances in everyday life. However, precisely this transparency is crucial for controlling costs, optimizing self-consumption, and actively contributing to the energy transition.

What role do private households play in the energy transition?
Households account for almost a third of electricity consumption in Germany. Those who know and manage their own consumption can save money and at the same time make an important contribution to grid stability.

What is the electricity reader?
The stromleser is a smart infrared reader for digital electricity meters. It records consumption data in real time and transmits it via Wi-Fi to the stromleser app or smart home systems.

How does the electricity reader create transparency in electricity consumption?
It reads the consumption data from a digital electricity meter in real time and displays it clearly in the stromleser app or in the smart home – including meter reading, current power and possible feed-in.

What types of electricity readers are there?

• stromleser.one : a simple plug-and-play solution for beginners
• stromleser.tasmota : a flexible, open-source option with Home Assistant integration for tech enthusiasts.