FAQ

With the introduction of the smart meter, the consumer receives more detailed information on their consumption habits, enabling them to save energy by changing their behaviour.

Smart meters make it possible to read energy consumption remotely, meaning that staff do not have to disturb customers in order to read their meter on site.

Thanks to smart meters, electricity and natural gas providers will be able to offer customers increased flexibility for innovative pricing and invoicing based on supply and demand in energy markets. Suppliers will thus be able to offer new tariffs that better correspond to consumption habits and issue an invoice at any time of the year based on actual consumption instead of estimates.

A smart meter makes it possible to read energy consumption remotely, i.e. without having to travel to the consumer’s premises. The provision of near real-time information to the consumer will enable them to monitor and control their consumption and energy costs.

Smart meters are part of the reform of the energy markets aimed at encouraging active consumer participation. The smart meter is the first step towards the implementation of a smart electricity distribution network that uses computer technology to optimise decentralised production, distribution and consumption, especially with regard to electromobility, as well as to better coordinate supply and demand between electricity producers and consumers.

The deployment of smart meters is among the measures planned by the Luxembourg Government to enact the European energy directive into national law.

Smart meters use state-of-the-art technology in order to measure the energy (electricity, natural gas, urban heat) or water consumption of each dwelling at regular intervals. The meter records the values and transmits this data via the existing electricity network to a central system, which collects the data from the meters for the whole country and transmits it to the network operator.

The central data collection and management system is managed and operated by the Luxmetering economic interest group, which was created in 2012 by the country's seven electricity and gas network operators: Creos Luxembourg, City of Ettelbruck, City of Diekirch, Electris, City of Dudelange, Sudstroum and Sudgaz.

It should be noted that the network operator builds and operates the electricity or natural gas networks, and that the supplier buys and resells energy and associated services.

You have the right to consume electricity that you produce yourself, but you must comply with the connection conditions set by the relevant grid operator. In theory, it is technically feasible to supply your heat pump directly with electricity that you generate yourself using an intelligent controller. Ideally, you should ask your installer for advice on this matter.

Yes, it is possible to recycle these batteries. It is regulated by the amended Law of 19 December 2008 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators, which enacts European Directive 2006/66/EC into Luxembourg law. This directive requires at least 50% of the weight of batteries other than lead-acid and nickel-cadmium types, i.e. lithium-ion batteries, to be recycled.

The components that are currently most attractive for recycling are cobalt, nickel, copper and aluminium. In the medium term, the lithium recycling rate should improve to ensure supply.

For more information or instructions relating to the recycling of these batteries, which are considered to be industrial accumulators, please contact either SuperDrecksKëscht or the Ecobatterien asbl association.

To assess the environmental impact of batteries, it is necessary to take into account the rare and partly at-risk resources (lead, lithium, etc.) consumed, their origins and the mix of electricity used in the production of the batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are made of cobalt, nickel, copper, aluminium and lithium, as well as other materials. Among these materials, the availability of lithium in particular is a hot topic. Over the short term, reserves are sufficient to guarantee the manufacture of the batteries; nevertheless, it will be necessary to improve the recycling capacity of lithium to ensure supply over the medium term.

Analysis of the environmental impact of these batteries is currently a major topic of research. Although there have already been positive developments in terms of cost effectiveness, performance and the environmental impact of batteries, they are still under intense development and significant progress is expected in the near future.

Thin-film panels (i.e. cells made of copper, indium, gallium and selenium, known as CIGS, and CdTe) are becoming increasingly common. This technology allows for greater energy savings and reductions in environmental impact than the current types, as the production method is simpler and the need for raw materials is lower. These cells are already showing yields higher than 20%. In addition, owing to their slimness, these modules offer more flexibility in terms of installation, allowing for curved shapes or easier integration into a façade or roof.

Beyond current technologies, the development of what are known as multi-junction cells promises even higher levels of efficiency through the stacking of single-junction cells. These cells are composed of two or more different active layers that enable different parts of the solar spectrum to be captured.

Thin-film modules are already available on the market; however, these technologies are still being developed. Commercial maturity can be expected in the next few years. These multi-junction cells are currently still under development but should be available on the market shortly.

Yes, in general it is possible to repair them, with the exception of broken glass.

Currently, most panels destined for recycling are faulty panels or panels that have been damaged during transport. Where possible, therefore, repair is the best method of giving panels a second life, thereby extending the life cycle of panels that would otherwise be recycled.

According to the law of 9 June 2022 on waste electrical and electronic equipment, the producer is responsible for the collection and processing of photovoltaic panels.

Producer means any natural person or legal entity who manufactures photovoltaic panels in Luxembourg or initially imports them onto the Luxembourg market. Any person established in another Member State or in a third country who, on a professional basis, supplies photovoltaic panels directly to a user in Luxembourg is considered a producer. In practice, in the majority of cases, this is the installer of the photovoltaic plant in Luxembourg.

Possibilities for owners to dispose of their old photovoltaic panels 

For photovoltaic panels put on the market before 13/08/2005 :

• in case of replacement of the photovoltaic panels, the take back of the old panel is free of charge and must be ensured by the company supplying the new equipment
• in case of dismantling of the photovoltaic panel (non-replacement of the panel), the removal by a professional collector is done against payment by the user

For photovoltaic panels placed on the market after 13/08/2005 :

• free take-back by the producer who bears the costs of collection and recovery of the photovoltaic panels.