Grünwelt Flex
at a glance

Using dynamic electricity tariffs offers opportunities but also certain risks. Because the tariff is linked to the electricity exchange, it is subject to price fluctuations influenced by factors such as market demand, electricity supply, and legal changes. It should be noted that the continuous expansion of renewable energy tends to lead to a greater supply of low-cost electricity. This positive price effect becomes even stronger when renewable generation is high, for example during sunshine or strong wind. At the same time, however, overall electricity price fluctuations also increase. At times when renewable generation is low, temporarily higher exchange prices can arise, and with dynamic tariffs these are passed on to our customers.

At the same time, this price volatility also creates the opportunity to lower electricity costs in a targeted way. Customers with a smart meter can deliberately shift their electricity demand to times with more favorable conditions by using flexible loads such as heat pumps, battery storage systems, or electric vehicles, and can therefore benefit disproportionately. Without conscious control, and especially when electricity prices rise sharply, higher costs can also occur. For many consumers, most electricity usage consists of basic demand that cannot be shifted in time. This includes, among other things, lighting, cooking, watching television, and internet use.

An intelligent metering system (iMSys), also known as a smart meter, is a digital meter expanded with a communication unit called the smart meter gateway. This gateway automatically transmits consumption data to the responsible grid operator, who can then securely pass this encrypted information on to the electricity provider. This makes it possible to track electricity consumption in fifteen-minute intervals. An intelligent metering system is the technical requirement for using our dynamic electricity tariff. This allows us to bill your electricity consumption at the current exchange price.

Your metering point operator is responsible for installing an intelligent metering system. The Metering Point Operation Act (MsbG) contains rules for installing intelligent metering systems. In these cases, your metering point operator will contact you proactively:

• Your electricity consumption is more than 6,000 kWh per year.
• You generate your own electricity with a PV system rated at at least 7 kW.
• You have a controllable consumption device, such as a heat pump or a wallbox / EV charging station.

In these cases, the responsible default metering point operator must install the intelligent metering system within the next few years, but no later than 2032.

If you do not belong to these categories, you can contact the local or default metering point operator for smart meter installation; this is usually your grid operator. You can find the grid operator responsible for your region, for example the local municipal utility, on your last annual bill or on the markings on your electricity meter. The grid operator and electricity supplier are usually different. In addition to the default metering point operator, there are now also competitive metering point operators that you can also contact for information about installation.