UX Design for the Energy Transition

The energy transition is one of the greatest challenges of our time, requiring a fundamental shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. While technological advancements in smart grids, decentralized energy generation, and energy storage are crucial, good user experience (UX) design plays an equally important role.

These innovations can only reach their full potential if they are user-friendly. Ultimately, people need to understand how the various systems interconnect, how they function, and what impact their actions have. UX design ensures that energy providers and their customers can use these new systems effectively, efficiently, and intuitively.

After examining the UX challenges, we will highlight the key stakeholders and their needs.

Challenges and potential from a UX perspective

1. Growth of renewable energy

In 2024, renewable energy sources account for almost 60% of global energy production - a record-breaking milestone. This growth is driven by advancements in solar, wind, and hydro power, as well as increased investments in energy storage solutions such as batteries and hydrogen technology.

The rise of renewable energy leads to volatility in energy supply, as solar and wind production fluctuate depending on weather conditions. This is where the effective integration of advanced energy storage and smart demand management systems comes into play, helping to balance fluctuations.

The challenge lies in designing human-centered and intuitive systems and dashboards that provide real-time insights for both energy providers and consumers, allowing them to compensate for fluctuating energy availability.

Hydrogen plays a key role in the energy transition. In the WAVEH2 project, Ergosign developed a digital platform that makes complex hydrogen processes visually accessible. WAVEH2 aims to establish itself as a crucial tool for the energy supply of the factory of the future, supporting the industry on its path toward a sustainable future.

2. Making energy and load management user-friendly

Efficient energy management is essential for balancing supply and demand, reducing waste, and ensuring grid stability. Smart meters and smart grids have become indispensable tools, providing vast amounts of real-time data. However, many users struggle to understand and effectively utilize this information. An intuitive user experience can make all the difference.

• Smart meters provide real-time consumption data to both consumers and energy providers, enabling dynamic pricing and personalized energy-saving recommendations. Consumers gain full control over their consumption and, ultimately, their bills.

• Smart grids digitally manage energy supply networks using sensors, automation, and data analysis to ensure efficient, reliable, and sustainable electricity distribution. Intuitive interfaces for consumers, grid operators, and energy providers help optimize energy flow, integrate renewable energy, and reduce grid issues.

Challenges: Although these technologies improve efficiency, many users struggle with complex interfaces and data interpretation. Effective UX design can help: well-designed digital solutions grant access to crucial data, while clear visualizations make data interpretation easier. Additionally, it is essential to ensure these solutions are as accessible as possible so that individuals with disabilities or temporary impairments can also use them.

3. Decentralization of energy systems

The energy landscape is rapidly shifting from centralized power plants to decentralized energy networks, where households, businesses, and communities generate their own energy through solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage. Our customers, Maingau and Yippie, have already recognized this as an opportunity. In addition to green energy and gas contracts, their online shops allow customers to purchase balcony power plants, solar panels, and other products for personal use.

• Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading enables consumers to sell excess energy back to the grid or directly to other users.

• Microgrids are becoming increasingly important as they enhance local energy resilience and reduce dependence on large-scale infrastructure.

Challenges: Managing decentralized networks requires seamless digital platforms that provide real-time insights, easy-to-use interfaces, and automation for transaction processing, energy flows, and grid stability. This is where a Digital Experience Platform (DXP) comes into play, perfectly integrating various components to connect grid operators, energy providers, and consumers within a unified, intuitive environment.

A DXP enables:

• Transparent transaction processing, optimizing energy exchange and providing personalized insights into consumption and feed-in.

• AI-powered forecasting and automation to enhance efficiency and trust in decentralized energy markets.

• A user-friendly dashboard experience to increase acceptance and usability.

Key stakeholders and their needs

1. Energy providers

Utilities must balance energy generation with demand while integrating renewable sources. At the same time, customers expect comprehensive service offerings, transparent pricing, and flexibility. Since switching providers has never been easier, a seamless user experience has become the most important tool for customer retention.

Key needs:

• Detailed consumption analytics to optimize distribution and prevent grid overload.

• AI-powered forecasts for weather and demand patterns to allocate energy more intelligently.

• User engagement tools that encourage energy-saving behaviors and incentivize shifting consumption from peak hours to lower-demand periods.

Challenges: Without clear data visualization and predictive analytics, energy providers risk inefficiencies and customer dissatisfaction.

2. Manufacturers and technology providers

To support the energy transition, manufacturers must deliver solutions that ensure seamless interoperability across various platforms.

Biggest challenges:

• Standardized communication protocols that enable compatibility between smart systems like meters, grids, and home automation.

• Scalable and modular technology that adapts to changing regulations and market demands.

• User-friendly interfaces for installers and technicians to simplify system implementation.

Challenges: A fragmented ecosystem of proprietary technologies complicates integration. Effective UX strategies can unify platforms and improve user adoption.

Human-centered UX design addresses these challenges by tailoring solutions to user needs, bridging gaps in fragmented ecosystems. Our clients, including KNX, Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, and BSH Hausgeräte, have trusted our expertise for years.

3. Consumers

End users are becoming increasingly proactive in managing their energy consumption. They seek providers that offer real-time data, allowing them to optimize consumption and control costs through dynamic pricing models and transparent billing.

Challenges: Consumers often face overly complex dashboards, unclear consumption (and cost) tracking, and a lack of transparency in energy tariffs - leading to frustration and lower adoption rates.

A DXP can help by creating a centralized, personalized, and user-friendly digital environment that makes complex energy information understandable and easily accessible.

Benefits of a DXP:

• Personalized dashboards that display only relevant information (e.g., real-time consumption, savings potential, or tariffs).

• AI-powered recommendations that improve price transparency and tariff comparisons.

• Omni-channel experiences ensure seamless usability across web, app, and smart home devices.

• Gamification and interactive guidance to encourage conscious energy management.

• Community and support through forums, FAQ, and smart chatbots for 24/7 assistance.

In short: A DXP makes complex energy management understandable, improves user experience and loyalty, and increases acceptance of digital energy management solutions.

Conclusion

A user-centered and holistic approach that considers the entire ecosystem, including all stakeholders and their needs, is essential for a successful energy transition. UX design can help in many ways: energy providers can offer their services more efficiently, users gain greater transparency and control over their consumption, and the adoption of sustainable energy practices becomes easier.

This human-centered approach is crucial for achieving climate neutrality and sustainability goals.

Ergosign: Your partner for the digital energy future

Ergosign helps energy providers design their digital products and services with a human-centered approach - from user-friendly customer portals to intuitive network management systems. Our interdisciplinary team of UX designers, developers, and CX strategists supports you from the initial idea to implementation.

Let’s shape the digital energy world of tomorrow - together!