Federal Environment Agency publishes study on the potential of digitalization to reduce greenhouse gases in the energy sector

In issue 74/2021 of the “Climate Change” series, the panel of authors around Dr. Swantje Gährs, presents the new study. Result: Digitalization can contribute to climate protection in the end customer market in the energy sector.

The study conducted by the Federal Environment Agency breaks down the possible effects of digital applications in the energy sector on climate change into direct and indirect ones. These include direct costs that arise during the production, use and disposal of the technology. Not surprisingly, these have a negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The UBA study was also able to identify possible positive climate protection effects through indirect effects, i.e. those that arise from the use of the technologies. In particular, case studies on the sub-areas “efficiency monitoring” and “smart meters with feedback” were able to uncover potential for greenhouse gas savings.

Overall, however, the study also shows that the possible applications examined can only make a minor contribution to achieving the 2030 climate protection goals under the current market conditions. The committee of authors therefore comes to the conclusion that digitalization can only support and not replace measures such as building renovations and switching energy sources.