Sector coupling refers to the intelligent interconnection and integration of various consumption sectors such as electricity, heating, and mobility to meet their energy needs efficiently and sustainably. It is a crucial component of the All Electric Society, which aims to increasingly transition energy supply to renewable sources and replace fossil fuels. By linking the different consumption sectors, electricity from renewable sources can be utilized not only to supply electricity but also to provide heat and for mobility. An important prerequisite for this is the use of technologies such as Power-to-X, in which surplus electricity is converted into other energy sources and can be stored.
For building operations, sector coupling means that electricity can be used not only to power electrical devices but also for heating (e.g., through heat pumps) and cooling. By employing cloud platforms to connect buildings with other sectors, significant savings potential in energy costs can be realized, along with a reduction in CO₂ emissions. Thus, sector coupling is a central building block for a climate-friendly and efficient energy future.
