3. Energy Use and Smart Devices

2. Introduction

Do you know where the energy you use comes from? Understanding which sources of energy are used to produce the things we need and provide energy in the home or at work can help us to better understand the impact of the choices we make. Digital technologies support our understanding through providing detailed real-time insights into how and when we use energy.  

This week we take a broader look at how we use energy: at the European level, country or regional level, and within our own households. Europe’s energy sector has undergone profound changes following the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since the war triggered an energy crisis that sent prices to record highs, European countries have put energy security at the top of their political agendas, dramatically reducing fuel imports from Russia on which they had previously relied. 

European countries have substantially raised their clean energy ambitions, aiming to further diversify their energy mixes while making progress towards climate targets. Energy security, which ensures that we have a diverse range of energy sources, whilst reducing our reliance on oil, gas and coal, is therefore a critical part of the digital energy transition. 

The second half of this week takes a deeper look at what the digitalisation of energy means for you, what digital technologies are available to help you better understand your energy consumption, make efficiencies and potentially save money.  We focus particularly on the difference between digital and smart meters and explore some of the benefits and challenges. To conclude, we look at the role smart devices and appliances, and in particular smart meters, play within the digital energy transition in Europe.