Elli, a brand under the Volkswagen Group, has partnered with more than 20 companies in the distributed energy sector to release a new study on decentralized energy solutions in Germany. The study, conducted by Roland Berger, indicates that technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), solar power systems, home storage systems, and heat pumps could save the German energy system up to €255 billion by 2045. This equates to about €13 billion annually in added value.
The analysis finds that Germany’s goals for energy supply security and cost efficiency can only be met through a combination of large-scale centralized power plants and decentralized technologies. According to the study, the automotive industry and e-mobility will play an essential role in this future mix. Intelligently managed bidirectional charging could enable EVs to serve as mobile storage units, reducing grid pressure and increasing household independence.
Giovanni Palazzo, CEO of Elli, said: “E-mobility is more than climate-friendly transport. It will become an active source of energy for millions of households in Germany. Smart and bidirectional charging solutions unlock enormous potential for our energy system, reduce costs for our customers, and strengthen the national economy. We must fully harness the power of these decentralized approaches before billions flow into new fossil backup capacity.”
The study outlines several potential benefits from decentralized solutions:
– Energy costs for households and small- to medium-sized enterprises could drop by up to 50%, resulting in annual savings of up to €1,200 per private household.
– Up to 100,000 new jobs may be created in distributed energy solutions by 2045.
– Investments required for grid expansion at the low-voltage level could decrease by 40–50% due to intelligent flexibilities.
To realize these benefits, the “New Energy Alliance” urges policymakers to provide clear framework conditions that put decentralized flexibility on equal footing with large-scale renewable projects and backup capacities. Recommendations include strengthening market mechanisms for decentralized flexibility, accelerating smart meter deployment and digital processes for grid operators, improving fairness in grid charges across all types of storage systems, and optimizing legal frameworks for bidirectional charging.
The initiative involves companies such as 1KOMMA5°, Enpal, LichtBlick, Octopus Energy, thermondo, and Elli. The full study can be accessed at www.new-energy-alliance.de.
More information about Elli is available at www.volkswagen-group.com and www.elli.eco.
