Did you know? The amount of electricity available in German grids in 2024 was 457.8 billion kWh—a decrease of 11.6% compared to 2018¹. At the same time, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA)², AI-driven building technologies worldwide could save up to 300 billion kWh annually, with potential savings reaching up to 500 billion kWh with full digitalization.
Why is this exciting news for Germany?
- Scale: 300 TWh equals about two-thirds of Germany's current electricity supply. At 500 TWh, savings would even surpass total current levels.
- Climate targets: Intelligent heating and cooling systems significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, a key factor in achieving Germany's climate neutrality goals by 2045.
Where is the greatest potential?
- Smart HVAC: AI-powered heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems reduce energy demand, from intelligent thermostats to fully automated air conditioning systems.
- Load Management: Connected buildings detect peak loads and flexibly shift energy usage, relieving grid strain and lowering costs.
- Technological Ecosystem: Efficient data centers, robust networks, and data exchange capabilities are essential to effectively deploying AI.
Conclusion
If AI-driven solutions in the building sector were fully leveraged globally, annual energy savings would amount to two-thirds—or even more—of Germany's total electricity supply in 2024. This highlights the crucial role digitalization plays in ensuring energy security and climate protection, underscoring why Germany, with its strong position in data centers, can particularly benefit.
¹ Federal Statistical Office (Destatis): Electricity generation 2024, Press Release No. 091, March 12, 2025
² International Energy Agency (IEA): Energy and AI – World Energy Outlook Special Report, published April 10, 2025
