The road to electrification

What common challenges do you see in the various sectors when it comes to switching to all-electric solutions?

We are getting closer to an electrified, digitized and automated world step by step. However, there are still a number of obstacles. We see challenges in standardization and the framework conditions. Without these, systemic networking is not realistic. One example is smart metering systems. In Germany, we are not as far along as we could be. At the same time, the digitalization and flexibilization of controllable consumers are a basis for the all-electric society: we will only be on the right track when the washing machine runs exactly when electricity is cheap, when the electric car contributes to grid stability as an intermediate storage device and when energy production and consumption are coordinated as efficiently as possible, including in industry.

How do infrastructural differences affect the progress of electrification?

Firstly, the most important prerequisite remains the availability of energy. Electrification - whether direct or indirect, for example via hydrogen - will prevail when the cost advantages of renewables finally translate into lower prices. This is where politics comes in: taxes and levies must be reduced as a matter of urgency. Secondly, digital networking requires standardized data models that include everyone - from producers to consumers in industry, commerce and private households to storage facilities. One example that we at ZVEI are actively working on is the Digital Product Passport 4.0 (DPP 4.0), which is based on the digital twin of the Asset Administration Shell (AAS).

Which technologies offer cross-sector synergies that could accelerate the electrification process - and why these in particular?

It's about renewable energies, smart and flexible grids and storage systems, direct current - and, above all, about integrating virtually all consumers into sector coupling. This is because the real potential in terms of efficiency and resilience lies in smart networking, where the supply and demand of energy control each other digitally. In this way, we can reduce_{CO2 emissions}, minimize losses, reduce primary energy consumption and save costs.

What long-term strategies do you think are promising to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition of all sectors to electric systems?

The key point is that, technically speaking, electrical energy is the clear winner in terms of emissions and efficiency. The overarching strategy must now be to promote motivation - and the best motivation would be a competitive price. The ZVEI has long been calling for it to be freed from additional costs. Electricity must be cheap for investment to take place.