Smart Energy refers to the improvement of the value chain in the energy industry through the use of intelligent technologies. This includes energy generation, storage and transmission as well as the conscious control of energy consumption.

The energy generated in wind turbines, photovoltaic systems and other means is distributed to users via smart grids so that it reaches those who need it. Smart meters in individual households continuously measure and control energy consumption and provide energy according to the current needs of the users. The smart meters are networked so that users know at any time how much gas, electricity or water they are using and when. If desired, service providers can also access the data from the smart meters to improve their offering and the efficiency of their electricity networks. The topic of smart energy is also firmly anchored in the political arena, for example through the law on the digitalization of the energy revolution, which came into force in 2016.

Since the market declaration of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) in January 2019, metering point operators are obliged to equip electricity customers with an annual consumption of 6,000 kWh to 100,000 kWh with smart meters. Intelligent energy technologies can also be used in the field of smart mobility, for example for charging points in electric vehicles. Intelligent smart energy solutions can already be implemented today via mobile communications. Smart meters are entering German households via IoT SIM cards and the two network standards LTE-M and Narrowband IoT.

With 5G these solutions will become even more efficient. This is because the new standard can be used to network millions of devices (Massive IoT), resulting in a wider range of applications for energy companies and households. In addition, 5G is significantly more energy-efficient in use. So nothing stands in the way of an optimal energy economy.