Energy management software: why monitoring will no longer be sufficient in 2026
Modern energy management software must not only make energy flows visible, but actively control them. The article outlines which features are essential today, how automated control enables savings from day one, and which solution is particularly well suited to mid-sized companies.
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Energy management software refers to a digital system for recording, analysing and optimising energy flows within companies. However, while the classic definition often stops at pure monitoring, today’s market volatility and complex CO₂ reporting requirements demand energy strategies that actively control energy use.
In this article, we answer the most common questions about energy management software – from core functions and costs to which solution is best suited to mid-sized companies.
What functions does modern energy management software offer?
These are the six key functional areas that define a future-proof solution:
- Real-time monitoring & visualisation: Continuous recording of all energy flows (electricity, heat, cooling, gas, water) and clear presentation in intuitive dashboards.
- Data analysis: Site-, asset- and cost-centre-based analyses provide a solid foundation for management decisions and investments.
- AI-based load forecasting: Prediction of consumption and PV generation, taking weather data and production plans into account.
- Automated schedule optimisation & control: Calculation of intelligent schedules based on individual objectives such as spot market optimisation or atypical grid usage, as well as smart control of energy-intensive assets such as chillers, BESS or heat pumps.
- Automated reporting & compliance: Legally compliant reports for ISO 50001, EMAS and CSRD.
- Sustainability management: Tracking of the CO₂ footprint to support the achievement of your climate targets.
The decisive next step: automated control
While many systems stop at analysis and schedule optimisation and merely provide recommendations for action, solutions such as flexOn take the crucial step into execution.
Modern energy management software does not just visualise generation, consumption and asset behaviour – it automatically controls your consumers. To do this, the AI creates precise forecasts of up to 72 hours into the future and uses them to calculate highly optimised, intelligent schedules.
This means the software does not simply determine when electricity is cheapest or when a storage system should be discharged – it executes the switching commands fully automatically. As a result, you achieve maximum savings from day one, without any need for manual intervention by staff.
Costs of energy management software
The investment in energy management software varies depending on the complexity of the assets involved. The following factors should be considered:
- One-off implementation: This includes analysing your infrastructure, connecting metering points and setting up the software.
- Ongoing fees: SaaS models (Software as a Service) are usually billed monthly and cover hosting, updates and support.
- Funding: A decisive factor. Programmes such as BAFA Module 3 currently subsidise the introduction of EMS with up to 45% for small companies and 35% for medium-sized companies.
- ROI: Thanks to energy cost savings, smart systems often pay for themselves within just a few months.
Which energy management software is best suited to mid-sized companies?
Mid-sized companies typically require a solution that can be implemented quickly and refinances itself immediately through measurable savings. The ideal software for this segment should meet the following criteria:
- Vendor independence: An open system architecture enables the integration of existing meters and hardware from different manufacturers without costly new investments.
- Eligibility for funding: The software should meet the technical requirements for government subsidies (e.g. BAFA) in order to significantly reduce investment costs.
- Scalability: The system must be flexible enough to grow with the company – from a single site to a networked fleet of machines.
A comparison of the leading energy management systems in the DACH region has shown that flexOn performs best in this respect. The energy management software flexOn is vendor-independent, fully eligible for BAFA funding and converts your energy flows into measurable cost benefits immediately through automated control.
Why switching to modern energy management software is worthwhile in 2026
The days when energy management was limited to documentation are over. In a world of volatile energy markets and acute skills shortages, automated control is becoming a critical success factor. Companies that invest in modern energy management software today not only secure attractive government subsidies, but also sustainably reduce operating costs and conserve valuable human resources.
In addition, you position your business for the future: you actively benefit from the energy transition and can make optimal use of new developments such as industrial electricity pricing or dynamic grid charges. In this way, energy efficiency evolves from a regulatory obligation into a strategic opportunity.
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