Flexibility Check 2026: FfE and E.ON Highlight the Potential for Flexible Energy Use in German Households

Munich, September 8, 2026: At a joint press conference, E.ON and FfE presented the results of the new Flexibility Check. The study highlights the technical and economic potential of flexible electricity use in German households. The findings generated significant media interest on the very day they were released.

The analyses show that as much as 18.3 TWh of annual electricity consumption could already be shifted over time today—for example, through the smart control of electric vehicles, heat pumps, home storage systems, and household appliances. By 2031, this technical flexibility potential could grow to 34 TWh.

“The shiftable energy volume of about 18 TWh comes from 2.2 million home storage systems, more than two million electric cars, just under two million heat pumps, as well as additional potential from washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. The total flexibility potential has continued to increase compared to the previous year and will grow significantly in the coming years,” said Dr. Serafin von Roon, Managing Director of the FfE.

In addition to contributing to the integration of renewable energy, the findings also highlight the economic opportunities offered by flexible electricity use. Through the smart management of electric cars, heat pumps, and home storage systems, households in Germany could save up to 762 million euros annually. If household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers are also taken into account, the potential increases to up to 1.65 billion euros per year. At the same time, shifting electricity consumption to times of high renewable electricity generation could prevent more than one million metric tons of CO₂ emissions per year.

To complement the technical analysis, a representative YouGov survey was conducted with more than 4,200 participants. It shows that there is a general willingness among the population to use energy flexibly: 68% of respondents would shift their electricity consumption to cheaper time slots if this resulted in financial benefits. At the same time, awareness of dynamic and flexible electricity rates is growing.

The E.ON Energy Atlas shows in which regions German households are particularly “flexible” with regard to the energy system: E.ON Energieatlas | Flexibilitäts-Check – Flex-Score

Further information:

• E.ON Flexibilitäts-Check: 18,3 TWh Strom flexibel verschiebbar – bis zu 1,65 Milliarden Euro Einsparpotenzial