January 22, 2026

by AEA in News

Austrian EET rolls out AI-powered device to simplify home electricity metering

Austrian startup Efficient Energy Technology (EET) has developed an electricity metering solution called the Virtual Meter, which measures residential electricity consumption through a single connection within the home’s power network. The device, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), eliminates the need for a conventional hardwired meter, reduces system complexity for home energy storage and heat pumps, and provides real-time consumption data, the company claims.

The Virtual Meter, which can be integrated directly into any home energy device through a standard socket or any point on the home’s power network, deduces the total energy consumption accurately, reliably, and in real time, according to EET.

AI-powered Virtual Meter derives and delivers consumption data in under one second

The device uses AI-powered load identification to measure the total net electrical load of the entire home on single-phase or three-phase residential grid connections, with data delivered in under one second. It can be plugged in anywhere via a standard earthed wall socket or a wired connection, requiring a physical link to only one phase.

Instead of directly measuring current, the Virtual Meter continuously observes the voltage of one phase and detects the tiny changes that occur whenever a device switches on or off on any of the three phases of a household, the company explains. In this way, it infers the home’s total consumption.

The solution reduces the costs and complexity of home batteries and heat pumps

The Virtual Meter reduces system complexity and installation and component costs for manufacturers of devices such as home batteries, EV chargers, heat pumps, home energy management systems (HEMS), and other residential energy products, delivering a smoother, more transparent experience for end-customers.

The solution is compatible with all common grid configurations and utility meter types, and its design ensures interruption-free data availability, EET says, adding that the Virtual Meter can be integrated directly into other energy products or used as a standalone solution.

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January 21, 2026

by AEA in News

Austrian EET rolls out AI-powered device to simplify home electricity metering

Austrian startup Efficient Energy Technology (EET) has developed an electricity metering solution called the Virtual Meter, which measures residential electricity consumption through a single connection within the home’s power network. The device, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), eliminates the need for a conventional hardwired meter, reduces system complexity for home energy storage and heat pumps, and provides real-time consumption data, the company claims.

AI-powered Virtual Meter derives and delivers consumption data in under one second

The solution reduces the costs and complexity of home batteries and heat pumps

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December 10, 2025

by AEA in News

IAEA hosts landmark symposium: Nuclear, AI to forge Atoms for Algorithms alliance

Global energy and technology leaders from over 250 organizations, including companies, nuclear operators, regulators, and research institutions, have gathered at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna for the first-ever International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Energy.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the two-day event brought together senior representatives from ministries, international organizations, the nuclear industry and major tech firms, including Google and Oracle.

They discussed how nuclear energy can help meet the surging electricity demand of AI data centres, and how AI can support nuclear technology development.

The first symposium on nuclear energy and AI provided a platform for governments, organizations and industry to discuss how to make the Atoms for Algorithms alliance happen, according to IAEA.

Grossi: I call it not just a partnership, but a structural alliance: Atoms for Algorithms

Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the two forces are reshaping humanity’s horizon at an unprecedented pace.

“The world’s energy map is being redrawn before our eyes. The essential point, our opportunity and our responsibility, is that these forces are not unfolding separately. They are converging and redefining the new global economy,” he stressed.

world iaea nuclear energy ai atoms for algorithms Rafael Mariano Grossi — Photo: IAEA

IAEA recalled that according to the International Energy Agency, data centres accounted for 1.5% of worldwide electricity demand in 2024 – a figure that could double by 2030.

“There is only one energy source that can meet combined demands of low-carbon generation, 24/7 reliability, massive power density, grid stability and genuine scalability: nuclear energy. This is why I call it not just a partnership, but a structural alliance: Atoms for Algorithms,” he stressed.

Greisinger: We are currently building the engine of the 21st century

world iaea vienna conference nuclear energy ai atoms for algorithms Manuel Greisinger — Photo: IAEA

IAEA underlined that major tech companies are weighing in on the nuclear-AI conversation. Manuel Greisinger, Google Distributed Cloud Director, shared why hyperscalers are turning to nuclear energy to power their data centres.

“We are currently building the engine of the 21st century, which is artificial intelligence. But as everyone in this room knows, an engine is pretty much useless without fuel. So the digital infrastructure community is here at the symposium because we have crunched the numbers and we have realized that nuclear energy is not just an option. It is an essential, non-negotiable component of our future fuel mix,” he stressed.

Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of World Nuclear Association, pointed out that nuclear energy is a key piece of the puzzle to electrify the world, improve quality of life, and support AI’s need for 24/7 carbon-free electricity.

She welcomed the pledge by major tech companies to support the goal to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050, according to IAEA.

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November 17, 2025

by AEA in News

UAE, Montenegro establish strategic green energy partnership

A new agreement between the UAE and Montenegro will facilitate connecting the energy sector with financial technologies and artificial intelligence. The two countries are also considering to deploy solar, wind, hydropower, green hydrogen and battery projects.

The United Arab Emirates and Montenegro agreed to cooperate in the energy sector, setting up a bilateral strategic partnership for the development of renewables, modern energy infrastructure and advanced technologies. The deal envisages joint contribution to projects of strategic significance to Montenegro from solar, wind and hydropower plants to the application of battery energy storage systems and the development of the green hydrogen technology.

Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović signed the agreement with UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and the President of the UAE Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan attended the ceremony.

Montenegro aspires to become digital hub

The agreement is especially significant for connecting the energy sector with financial technologies and artificial intelligence, the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Montenegro said. The country is aspiring to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, digital transformation and the energy transition, it added.

Within their strategic partnership, the two countries are looking to establish a fintech and AI council. It would consist of representatives of the public and private sector and work on the development of innovative solutions, attracting investments and strengthening the domestic economy through the implementation of progressive technologies.

Joint vision of sustainable development, energy security

The agreement is a new step in the partnership between Montenegro and the UAE, founded on a joint vision of sustainable development, energy security and economic progress, the ministry pointed out.

“The partnership confirms that foreign partners recognize Montenegro as a safe and attractive place for investment in energy and advanced technologies. Our goal is to, through cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, open a new chapter in the development of renewable energy sources, digital infrastructure and innovation,” Šahmanović stressed.

The agreement will facilitate faster materialization of projects strengthening energy security and contributing to the decarbonization of the economy and job creation in the sector of the future, the ministry said.

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October 10, 2025

by AEA in News

Policy changes in US will have marginal impact on global energy transition

Policy changes in the United States introduced by the administration of President Donald Trump will have only a marginal impact on the global energy transition, according to the latest Energy Transition Outlook, produced by DNV.

Norwegian consulting firm DNV pointed out in a report that energy use by artificial intelligence may seem alarming, but that it is projected to stay below booming sectors like electric vehicle (EV) charging and cooling of buildings.

“DNV’s annual Energy Transition Outlook has consistently forecast a shift from today’s 80/20 fossil/non-fossil primary energy mix to a 50/50 mix by 2050. That is still our prediction this year. Although some aspects of the transition are supercharged and progressing rapidly, other aspects have hit turbulence and are delayed. This leads to a marginally slower transition than our forecast last year,” CEO Remi Eriksen said.

According to the report, in the US, fossil fuel promotion and the reversal of clean energy support policies are slowing the nation’s transition.

However, China continues to set renewables buildout records with 390 GW of solar PV (56% share of new global capacity) and 86 GW of wind (60% share) expected to be installed this year. The country is also fueling the transition in the rest of the world with its cleantech exports.

In the meantime, Europe is seeking to balance climate action with competitiveness, the report reads.

The continent is having a slow success with harder-to-decarbonize sectors, but renewable energy buildout remains relatively strong.

In the rest of the world, most countries are embracing competitive Chinese technologies, with year-on-year growth in installations at around 25%, data showed.

Eriksen said cheap renewable electrons stored when necessary in ever-cheaper batteries are already an unstoppable force.

“We forecast that solar – both with and without storage – and wind will be 32% of the global power mix by 2030. We expect a resurgence in offshore wind by 2030, such that variable renewables will provide more than 50% of all electricity by 2040,” he stated.

Solar power is 10% of all power produced worldwide today, and DNV projected it will be 20% in 2029 and 40% in 2045. Renewables would reach 65% in the global electricity mix by 2040, the firm added.

AI’s energy demand would be lowered by efficiency effects

According to Eriksen, soaring power demand from AI data centers is placing additional strain on already congested grids, particularly in North America.

DNV ‘s analysis finds that AI’s energy demand growth is likely to become more linear over time, outpaced, for instance, by EV charging and cooling demand, even as the cognitive services of AI expand exponentially. The main reason is growing efficiency.

AI’s energy use is forecasted at only 3% of global electricity by 2040. Data center energy use will quintuple by 2040, equalling 5% of all global electricity. AI’s share would be 3%, with the remaining 2% for general purpose data centers.

The report highlighted large regional variations – AI is the biggest driver of electricity consumption growth in North America, compared to EV charging in Europe and EVs and cooling in China and India.

For the first time, this year’s analysis extends to 2060

The report noted that this year, the world reached the milestone of more than 50 million EVs on the road. Most of them, 60%, are in China, with Europe at 21%, and North America at 13%.

The point of inflection — EVs at 50% of global new passenger vehicle sales — will be reached in 2032, the report projected.

For the first time, this year’s analysis extends to 2060 to reflect the continued transformation of the energy system after 2050. The report recalled that it is now widely acknowledged that the world will not achieve net zero emissions by 2050, meaning warming would exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius.

A decarbonization of energy mix is unstoppable but too slow, setting up grave risks for future generations, Eriksen concluded.

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September 1, 2025

by AEA in News

Google reveals Gemini AI’s energy and water consumption

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important in our daily lives, but its rapid expansion is raising concerns about how much energy it consumes. Google has become the first tech company to publish a report on the energy consumption, emissions, and water use of its AI software, Gemini.

Google estimates that the median Gemini text prompt uses 0.24 watt-hours (Wh) of energy, emits 0.03 grams of CO2 equivalent, and consumes 0.26 milliliters (or about five drops) of water. “The per-prompt energy impact is equivalent to watching TV for less than nine seconds,” according to a press release from the company.

When applying a non-comprehensive methodology, which only considers the consumption of active TPU and GPU chips, the median Gemini text prompt uses 0.10 Wh of energy, emits 0.02 gCO2e, and consumes 0.12 mL of water.

On the other hand, Google’s comprehensive methodology includes the energy and water consumption of the software itself, the operation of IT equipment in data centers, the energy used by chips while idle, as well as the amount of water used to cool the equipment.

It should be noted, however, that energy consumption depends on multiple factors, including prompt length, the number of users, and the model’s efficiency.

Google’s AI is becoming increasingly efficient thanks to innovations

Google claims that its consumption of energy and water for AI is “substantially lower than many public estimates.” It also stresses that its AI systems are becoming more efficient through research innovations and software and hardware efficiency improvements.

Over a recent 12-month period, the energy and total carbon footprint of the median Gemini Apps text prompt dropped by 33 times and 44 times, respectively, while delivering higher-quality responses, the company claims.

Google has announced that it will continue investing in technologies that reduce per-prompt energy and water use, as well as emissions associated with AI systems. By 2030, the company aims to achieve net-zero emissions and to replenish 120% of the freshwater consumed in its data centers and offices.

However, despite Google’s efforts to reduce emissions, they have soared 51% compared to 2019, driven by the expansion of data center capacities needed for training and running AI models.

By 2030, data centers could be consuming 4.5% of global electricity generation

Data centers are essential for the operation of AI systems, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that their total electricity consumption could double by 2026, reaching 1,000 TWh per year, equivalent to Japan’s entire annual electricity use.

According to research firm SemiAnalysis, the expansion of AI could lead to data centers using 4.5% of total global electricity generation by 2030.

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August 20, 2025

by AEA in News

EU preparing roadmap on digitalization, AI in energy

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to help shape its upcoming strategic roadmap for digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in the energy sector. The roadmap aims to support the rollout of digital solutions, including AI, in areas important for decarbonization.

The areas where the application of digital solutions and AI should be accelerated include electricity grid optimization, energy efficiency in buildings and industry, and demand-side flexibility, according to a press release from the commission.

The consultation should also address the increasingly heavy energy consumption of data centers and look at how they can be more sustainably integrated into the energy system.

The consultation should address the rising energy demand of data centers

Another area of interest is the need to implement safeguards to mitigate potential challenges linked to the large-scale deployment of AI solutions in the energy sector, according to the press release.

The initiative, part of the European Union’s Affordable Energy Action Plan, also aims to facilitate access to energy data via the Common Energy Data Space and unlock innovative services such as demand-side flexibility and bidirectional charging of electric vehicles, according to a LinkedIn post by former Smart Grids Team Leader at the European Commission Manuel Sánchez.

All individuals and organizations are welcome to contribute to the consultation, which is open until November 5. The adoption of the roadmap is planned for the first quarter of 2026.

The roadmap is expected to be adopted in Q1 2026

The target audience for the consultation and the accompanying call for evidence includes stakeholders from digital and energy value chains, such as grid operators, energy intensive industries, data center operators, building operators, car manufacturers, providers of e-mobility solutions, energy communities, aggregators, consumers, researchers, IT suppliers, digital solutions providers, cloud service providers, and appliance manufacturers.

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July 23, 2025

by AEA in News

Meet VIREAS: new AI-powered virtual assistant for energy

Croatia’s Regional Energy Agency North has launched VIREAS – a virtual energy assistant powered by artificial intelligence.

VIREAS answers users’ questions about energy renovation and renewable energy sources in real time, provides recommendations tailored to users’ homes and needs, helps identify opportunities to save energy and reduce costs, and explains technical concepts in simple terms, the Regional Energy Agency North (REA North) said.

The VIREAS app is an interactive platform that enables users to engage with an AI assistant on various topics related to energy efficiency and renewable energy.

VIREAS is designed for those who want to save energy and use renewables

The idea behind the chatbot is to help owners of houses and buildings improve energy efficiency or install facilities for the use of renewable energy sources. For example, it assists in renovating the facade, replacing the heating system, or installing a heat pump or solar power plant.

It enables faster, easier, and more secure decision-making processes related to energy renovation, without the need for expert knowledge, the agency claimed.

VIREAS can be used both by people with very little knowledge and by experts

Using VIREAS is simple and user-friendly for everyone, whether you have very little knowledge or you are an expert, according to REA North.

In addition to technical recommendations, VIREAS informs users about available subsidies and public calls from the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund or FZOEU, making it easier to access public funds and further reduce investment costs.

The agency warned that VIREAS doesn’t replace a project designer or a certified energy consultant

REA North underlined that VIREAS uses official sources of information. It includes public calls launched by FZOEU, technical rules on thermal protection and heating and cooling systems, and energy certification rulebooks.

The agency stressed that although its chatbot provides useful information and tips, it doesn’t replace a project designer or authorized energy consultant. REA North advised citizens to consult experts to make a final decision and for the preparation of project documentation.

The design of the chatbot was co-financed by the BauNOW project under the Interreg Euro-MED program.

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July 18, 2025

by AEA in News

Google signs world’s largest corporate power purchase agreement for hydropower

Global investment firm Brookfield and tech giant Google signed an agreement to deliver up to 3,000 MW of carbon-free hydropower capacity in the United States.

Brookfield said the Hydro Framework Agreement (HFA) is the first of its kind and “the world’s largest corporate clean power deal for hydroelectricity.”

Brookfield Asset Management, together with Brookfield Renewable, and Google said the deal is for 3,000 MW of carbon-free hydroelectric capacity across the US.

Fast development of AI and digitalization is making power supply crucial for tech companies. Goldman Sachs Research forecasted that global power demand from data centers would increase 165% by 2030 from the 2023 level.

The first contracts include Brookfield’s Holtwood and Safe Harbor hydropower plants in Pennsylvania

Google has recently signed similar first-of-kind agreements for advanced nuclear and next-generation geothermal energy as well as for fusion energy.

Under HFA, the first contracts are for Brookfield’s Holtwood and Safe Harbor hydropower plants in Pennsylvania, representing more than USD 3 billion of power and 670 MW of capacity.

The 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the two facilities will support Google’s operations across PJM. The transaction structure allows Brookfield to maintain existing commitments to power consumers, such as Amtrak, from the Safe Harbor facility.

Brookfield said HFA is a significant step forward in its strategy to deliver flexible, dispatchable clean energy solutions to the technology sector and that the deal supports Google’s ambition to power its operations with 24/7 carbon-free energy.

Google can procure carbon-free electricity from up to 3,000 MW of HPPs

According to Brookfield, under the HFA, Google can procure electricity from up to 3,000 MW of hydropower assets that will be relicensed, overhauled, or upgraded to extend their useful life and continue adding power to the grid.

Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s Head of Data Center Energy, said the collaboration with Brookfield is a significant step forward, ensuring clean energy supply in the PJM region (parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia) where her company operates. Hydropower is a proven low-cost technology, offering dependable, homegrown, carbon-free electricity that creates jobs and builds a stronger grid for all, she added.

According to Connor Teskey, President of Brookfield Asset Management, the partnership with Google demonstrates the critical role that hydropower can play in helping hyperscale customers meet their energy goals.

Delivering power at scale and from a range of sources will be required to meet the growing electricity demands from digitalization and artificial intelligence, he pointed out.

Of note, Brookfield owns power plants with a combined capacity of almost 46,000 MW.

Google to invest over USD 25 billion in data center and AI infrastructure

The deal is part of Google’s planned investments in the area in data center and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. At the Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh, the company revealed that it earmarked more than USD 25 billion for the next two years.

President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google Ruth Porat joined President Donald Trump, Senator Dave McCormick and government and business leaders at the summit.

To support the investment, Google is expanding energy capacity and innovation in three ways, the company said.

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May 29, 2025

by AEA in News

NGEN showcases solutions at BEF 2025 for decentralized electricity grid of tomorrow

Slovenia-based NGEN, widely regarded as the most innovative energy company in the SEE region, is expanding throughout Europe with its software platforms and equipment, as well as battery energy storage systems for decentralized grids that enable scaling up the decarbonization of the electricity sector. Co-Founder and CEO Roman Bernard said at the Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 that the company is establishing a digital endpoint for every network element. It enables real-time control over production and consumption, preventing blackouts and providing cybersecurity. At the conference, NGEN presented its services for the construction and operation of BESS and access to all segments of the electricity market.

In NGEN’s vision, the electricity system becomes fully digital and decentralized, with every house and business taking an active part in it.

Grid congestion is becoming more frequent, limiting the current rapid deployment of renewables. Most of Europe has centralized networks, where energy flows in one direction, from large power plants to consumers. Grid balancing is still conducted on a 15-minute basis, which is too slow for real-time demand.

NGEN has created platforms for energy that is produced, stored and consumed locally. It is developing a more efficient and reliable environment that can keep up with the scaling up of renewable energy technologies.

Photo: NGEN

NGEN has answers for all challenges of power system

The Slovenia-based company is tackling all current challenges that the power system is facing, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Roman Bernard said at Belgrade Energy Forum – BEF 2025. NGEN, the technology sponsor of this year’s conference, operates in nine European countries.

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Pointing to the pace of increase in solar and wind power plant capacity over the past years, Bernard said a centralized system wouldn’t be able to support the overall production and consumption anymore. “We want to make a digital endpoint for every unit that is included in the network. Through it we can communicate and raise or decrease consumption or production,” he explained.

Bernard: Cybersecurity is the most important part of digitalization

It enables control over the system, as otherwise it is in risk of blackouts, while such a transformation also brings significant savings in infrastructure, according to Bernard. He also stressed cybersecurity as the most important part of digitalization.

The CEO of NGEN, which stands for next generation, added that the sector needs to be further regulated across Europe to facilitate the construction of a new kind of infrastructure, as well as to motivate the corporate sector to get involved.

The company’s representatives Marco Scholz and Patrick Simon held a presentation at BEF 2025

Instant frequency response preventing cascading blackouts

In Bernard’s view, now is the time for battery energy storage systems (BESS), after a massive renewables capacity was added to the system in the last seven or eight years. The CEO was one of the panelists at BEF 2025 in a session on flexibility services called Market Flexibility: The Backbone of a Resilient Energy System.

NGEN developed its own software as well as hardware for running decentralized systems, cybersecurity and access to all segments of the energy market. The software has never gone down so far, its representatives said during their presentation at the conference. The firm is a contractor for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of BESS, also providing maintenance and operation.

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Its intelligent software ESGP, Energy Smart Grid Platform, provides instant frequency response preventing cascading blackouts. NGEN’s digital platform, called SG Connect, reacts automatically, providing backup in the event of a failure in under 20 milliseconds, enabling real-time grid balancing. At the same time, it monitors and manages in two-second intervals, through the NGEN Synaptic artificial intelligence (AI controller).

It is a plug-and-play module, installed at energy assets, connecting them to ESGP, the transmission system operator (TSO) and all relevant markets, the company said. On the customer side is the SG Connect application.

NGEN has projects of 2 GWh in Europe under development or in construction. As for notable operational facilities, it installed a BESS in Kidričevo in Slovenia, with 35 MW in operating power and 70 MWh in capacity. The facility is about to get an extension of 70 MW – 140 MWh.

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