More than 21,600 EnergyCloud Moments expected for 2026 as pioneering renewable energy project expands

EnergyCloud Germany, the not for profit initiative that redirects surplus renewable electricity to households experiencing energy poverty, has announced a major expansion of its pioneering programme in Germany.

Building on the success of its first pilot project, EnergyCloud Germany expects to deliver more than 21,600 EnergyCloud Moments during 2026. These will enable participating households to benefit from free renewable electricity that would otherwise be curtailed because the electricity network cannot absorb all available renewable generation.

The 21,600 EnergyCloud Moments are expected to be delivered through EnergyCloud Germany’s existing live projects in the Rheingau-Taunus region. The organisation is now working with its partners to significantly expand the programme, both through its partnership with kwb Rheingau-Taunus GmbH, which manages approximately 2,600 homes across the region, and through the development of additional projects in Bavaria and Berlin.

Together with kwb Rheingau-Taunus GmbH, Electric Green Heating and Amazon, the project demonstrates how surplus renewable electricity can be transformed into direct social benefit by reducing energy costs for households while making better use of clean electricity that would otherwise go to waste.

From Pilot to Operational Programme

EnergyCloud Germany launched its first German pilot project in autumn 2025.

The pilot demonstrated, for the first time in Germany, that surplus renewable electricity could be automatically redirected through connected electric storage heating systems, transforming electricity that would otherwise have been curtailed into free heat for participating households.

The project proved both the technical reliability of EnergyCloud and the effectiveness of the partnership between EnergyCloud Germany, kwb Rheingau-Taunus GmbH, Electric Green Heating and Amazon.

Building on that success, the programme has now entered its first full year of operation with a significantly expanded deployment. Existing live projects are expected to deliver more than 21,600 EnergyCloud Moments during 2026.

An EnergyCloud Moment is a period during which surplus renewable electricity is available on the electricity system and is redirected by EnergyCloud to families in energy poverty for free. During these periods, participating smart storage heaters automatically charge using electricity that would otherwise have been wasted, storing heat for later use at no cost to participating households.

The success of the first phase has provided the confidence to begin planning for significantly wider deployment across Germany in partnership with housing providers, technology partners, electricity networks and renewable energy stakeholders.

Why the Time Is Right

Germany’s energy transition continues to accelerate, bringing with it increasing volumes of surplus renewable electricity. On days when wind and solar generation exceed demand, renewable electricity is sometimes curtailed to protect the electricity network from becoming overloaded. Around 135 such days are expected during 2026. Every one of these represents an opportunity to put clean electricity that would otherwise go to waste to productive use.

At the same time, many lower income households continue to face pressure from rising energy costs. EnergyCloud Germany addresses both challenges by redirecting surplus renewable electricity to households that can benefit from free heating, creating social value from electricity that would otherwise be wasted.

The EnergyCloud Partnership

The project brings together four key partners.

EnergyCloud Germany coordinates the platform, identifies periods of surplus renewable electricity, funds the household energy credits and ensures that surplus energy is reliably directed to participating households.

kwb Rheingau-Taunus GmbH, the municipal housing provider managing approximately 2,600 homes, provides suitable properties and works directly with participating tenants.

Electric Green Heating installs and operates the connected smart storage heaters and ensures seamless integration with EnergyCloud.

Amazon supports EnergyCloud Germany as a funding partner, enabling the continued expansion of the programme across the Rhine Main region.

Partner Comments

Ditmar Joest, Managing Director, kwb Rheingau-Taunus

“The success of the pilot has confirmed what we believed from the beginning: this model works and delivers real benefits for our tenants. Continuing and expanding the project is a clear demonstration of our shared commitment to affordable housing and a more sustainable energy future.”

Sven Tetzner, Founder and Managing Director, Electric Green Heating

“Our connected SmartTherm heating systems combine digital intelligence with social impact. It is inspiring to see how technology can simultaneously reduce energy waste and tackle energy poverty. We are delighted to continue this journey together with EnergyCloud Germany.”

Michael Hanisch, Head of Technology Germany, AWS

“Amazon is the largest purchaser of carbon-free energy in Europe; in Germany alone, we have invested in offshore wind farms and solar power stations with a total capacity of over 1.3 gigawatts – to provide additional green electricity to the grid. Our partnership with EnergyCloud Germany demonstrates that even unused electricity can be put to good use and actually saves money for vulnerable households.”

Henrik Schapp, CEO, EnergyCloud Germany

“Phase One has proven that our model works in Germany. With Phase Two, we are now demonstrating that it can also be scaled up. With an increase of 500% in the number of connected devices, we expect to see a total of 21,600 ‘EnergyCloud Moments’ – as we call them – based on the expected number of days with curtailed renewable energy. We would like to thank our partners for their trust and are confident that 2026 will mark another milestone on the path to a fairer energy transition.”

Looking Ahead

EnergyCloud Germany sees the Rheingau-Taunus programme as the foundation for much wider deployment across Germany.

The organisation is already working with partners to significantly expand the model within the kwb Rheingau-Taunus GmbH housing portfolio while progressing additional projects in Bavaria and Berlin. Discussions are also underway with further housing providers, energy companies and electricity network operators to bring the model to other locations.

As renewable electricity generation continues to grow and more heating systems become digitally connected, the opportunity to redirect surplus renewable electricity for social benefit will increase significantly. EnergyCloud Germany’s long term ambition is to establish a national platform that ensures clean electricity, which would otherwise be wasted, supports thousands of households across Germany.

For further information, visit energycloud.org/germany

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About EnergyCloud Germany

EnergyCloud Germany is the German initiative of the not for profit EnergyCloud Foundation, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Its mission is to redirect surplus renewable electricity that cannot be absorbed by the electricity system to households experiencing energy poverty, free of charge. The Rheingau-Taunus project is the first initiative of its kind in Germany and forms the foundation for a wider national rollout.

About kwb Rheingau-Taunus

kwb Rheingau-Taunus GmbH is a municipal housing company based in Bad Schwalbach. The organisation manages approximately 2,600 homes across the Rheingau-Taunus district and is committed to providing affordable, socially responsible and sustainable housing.

About Electric Green Heating

Electric Green Heating GmbH, based in Berlin, develops and operates internet connected SmartTherm thermal storage heating systems. The company connects existing heating infrastructure with digital energy platforms, helping to increase flexibility across the electricity system.

Media Contact

EnergyCloud Germany

E: henrik.schapp@energycloud.org

W: energycloud.org/germany