Future Path for Smart Metering in Germany

Starting Point: Digitalisation as a Key Enabler for a Flexible Energy System

The energy transition is fundamentally transforming the energy system – towards greater decentralisation, increased volatility, and the active participation of consumers and producers. Intelligent metering systems (iMSys) represent the central interface to digitally map these developments and unlock flexibility potential. Given the current status of the smart meter rollout in Germany, it becomes clear that, in addition to the regulatory framework, a shared vision and coordinated further development are essential.

The Initiative: Creating Shared Orientation Beyond Individual Perspectives

The Smart Meter Roadmap aims to support and guide the structured further development of digital metering infrastructure in Germany. Rather than questioning the existing rollout, the initiative focuses on building a common understanding of its future design, while considering the various underlying perspectives. A key objective is to bring together the views of different stakeholders and provide a well-founded basis for further discussion and decision-making.

The Approach: From Dialogue to Solutions

The initiative follows a structured, three-phase approach:

Phase 1: Consultation

In the first step, key assessments and practical experiences are gathered through surveys as well as complementary analyses and research activities. The objective is to develop a comprehensive picture of the status quo, the relevant questions, and existing challenges.

Phase 2: Structuring the Debate

Building on the consultation, the identified topics are further explored through a structured dialogue process. Workshops in four dedicated working groups bring together different perspectives, organise them systematically, and translate them into a common analytical structure. The work is carried out along central themes of the smart meter rollout – ranging from technical and regulatory aspects to customer-related perspectives. The workshop outcomes are complemented by additional expert discussions among the project partners.

Phase 3: Developing Solutions

In the final phase, the collected insights are consolidated and translated into concrete results. The goal is to sharpen the understanding of key challenges and provide well-founded solutions to accelerate the digitalisation of the energy system in Germany. The outcome will be a structured overall picture, summarised in a report with clear assessments and a cross-cutting target vision.

Target Vision: A Consistent and Future-Proof Digitalisation

Beyond the current rollout, the initiative addresses the long-term question of how a comprehensive and integrated digitalisation of metering infrastructure in Germany can be achieved. The objective is to develop a consistent target vision that:

• supports the integration of decentralised flexibilities,
• enables data-driven applications and new business models,
• and promotes efficient and transparent system operation.

The Smart Meter initiative therefore serves as a structured contribution to digitalisation in Germany. It provides orientation in a complex transformation phase, fosters dialogue among key stakeholders, and supports the development of a shared vision for a digitalised energy system.

The main outcome of the initiative will be a jointly developed white paper by all participating stakeholders, to be published in summer 2026, presenting solutions and reflecting the ongoing discourse in Germany.