Smart home platform lowers energy costs and boosts grid resilience

Smart home platform lowers energy costs and boosts grid resilience
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 02, 2025
The growing shift toward electrification is transforming not only how energy is produced but also how it is consumed in homes. Yet many households still struggle to get the most out of their photovoltaic systems and battery storage units. "Many systems can't be networked as intelligently as their manufacturers promise. Moreover, the existing solutions are often too complicated or don't allow users to control their energy consumption efficiently," says Max Schutze, co-founder of RAZO Energy.

To address these shortcomings, the startup has created a cloud-based solution that automates energy management by integrating various power sources and electrical appliances. "Our system enables a dynamic adjustment of the energy flow and ensures the efficient use of renewables," Schutze notes. For instance, it schedules electric vehicle charging for periods when solar power is plentiful or when grid electricity prices are at their lowest.

AI-Based Optimization Drives Down Charging Costs

RAZO Energy's intelligent control system offers tangible economic benefits. In trials, electric vehicle owners reduced their per-100-kilometer charging cost from roughly six euros to just two euros when switching from uncontrolled to AI-managed charging. The platform operates using a predictive optimization algorithm that incorporates real-time usage data and solar generation forecasts to create the most cost-effective charging schedules.

"If the goal is, for example, to optimize the use of electric vehicles, real-time measurement data is combined with photovoltaic forecasts to determine the best possible charging profile," says Schutze. By automatically shifting energy usage to periods when renewable energy is abundant or electricity is cheaper, the system avoids demand spikes and maximizes efficiency.

Advancing the Energy Transition and Stabilizing the Grid

Beyond individual savings, RAZO Energy's platform supports broader energy infrastructure goals. By coordinating energy generation and consumption across multiple homes, the system reduces peak loads and contributes to grid stability. "Interconnecting many households enables us not only to reduce individual costs, but also to balance power-supply variations," Schutze explains.

This coordinated approach effectively turns households into a virtual power plant, leveraging surplus solar energy and prioritizing energy-intensive activities during times of renewable abundance. Through this strategy, RAZO Energy not only promotes more effective use of green energy but also strengthens the reliability of the power grid.