24/7 Hourly Matching: The Hottest Climate Tech
As energy markets evolve and regulatory frameworks like the EU Commission's guidance push for greater transparency, hourly matching is rapidly gaining traction.
How does 24/7 Hourly Matching Work?
24/7 hourly matching means aligning energy consumption with renewable generation on an hour-by-hour basis. In technical yet accessible terms, it involves tracking both energy usage and renewable generation with high temporal resolution. Each hour is scrutinized to ensure the energy mix reflects real-time conditions.
Traditional annual energy matching has become insufficient for companies committed to real and measurable climate action. 24/7 hourly matching, better understood as pairing every hour of energy consumption with renewable generation ensures that clean energy claims reflect actual usage patterns, rather than yearly averages that can mask periods of fossil fuel reliance. Instead of merely calculating renewable output over a year, this innovative approach offers a real-time, transparent measure of a company’s carbon-free energy use.
The figure below illustrates this difference clearly: hourly matching highlights gaps between energy use and renewable availability, showing when carbon-free energy was actually consumed—and when it wasn’t. This level of granularity helps companies make smarter decisions and better align with grid decarbonization goals.
Figure 1: How Hourly Matching Reveals Gaps in Daily Renewable Energy Use
24/7 Hourly Matching vs. Annual Matching
Think of 24/7 hourly matching like keeping track of your renewable energy use hour by hour, rather than just looking at the yearly total. It's the difference between knowing exactly when your building is powered by clean energy versus simply saying "we used enough renewable energy to cover our annual usage."
With traditional annual matching, companies might generate lots of solar power during sunny summer days and count that toward their yearly total, even though at night or during winter, they're using fossil fuels. This could be labelled as greenwashing as it hides the real picture of when clean energy is truly powering operations.
The table below further illustrates their differences.
Table 1: Hourly Matching vs. Annual Matching
EU Commission Thoughts on 24/7 Hourly Matching
International regulatory bodies are increasingly recognizing the importance of granular energy matching. The European Commission has recently updated its guidance under the Renewable Energy Directive to incorporate time-stamped energy certificates. These new regulations mandate that renewable energy claims reflect the actual time of energy production, ensuring that energy procurement aligns with carbon-free generation on an hourly basis.
A key policy document states, “Clean energy must reflect its real-time contribution to reducing carbon emissions. Time-stamped certificates are critical for both market integrity and environmental accountability.” This move by the EU sets a clear timeline for implementation, with gradual rollouts starting in 2024-2025 and a full transition expected by 2030. Such regulatory strides are paving the way for a global shift toward more precise and transparent clean energy procurement practices
The tangible benefits of 24/7 hourly matching are already emerging in real-world applications. A prominent example comes from Sweden, where Vattenfall, in collaboration with Microsoft, piloted the world’s first hourly matching of renewable energy. This initiative demonstrated that every hour of energy consumption could be precisely aligned with renewable generation, leading to measurable carbon reductions and enhanced transparency in energy use. The pilot validated that aligning energy procurement on an hourly basis not only improves the accuracy of carbon accounting but also drives significant environmental benefits across the grid. While the transition may require adjustments in data infrastructure and contractual frameworks, the success of Vattenfall’s initiative serves as a compelling proof-of-concept for the industry.
How does Spritju Participate in 24/7 Hourly Matching?
At Spritju, we understand that moving to 24/7 hourly matching can seem daunting. Our energy traceability platform is designed to simplify this transition by offering:
- Advanced EAC Tracking: We provide precise, timestamped tracking of Energy Attribute Certificates, ensuring every hour of consumption is accurately matched with renewable production.
- Seamless Integration: Our platform is built to integrate with existing energy management systems, enabling a smooth switch from annual to hourly matching without disrupting your operations.
- User-Friendly Interface: With a comprehensive dashboard, you can monitor real-time energy matching and generate detailed reports with ease.
- Scalable and Flexible: Whether you’re a small enterprise or a large industrial operation, Spritju’s solution scales to meet your needs, ensuring that your sustainability goals are met at every level.
Spritju is here to guide you through this shift offering the tools, insights, and support to lead in the era of transparent, hourly-matched clean energy.
As we look ahead, the shift to 24/7 hourly matching is set to redefine clean energy procurement. Early adopters will not only benefit from a reduced carbon footprint but also gain a competitive edge through enhanced transparency and operational efficiency. To support this transition, Spritju offers cutting-edge tools and expert guidance, ensuring you have access to the latest bi-weekly newsletters and resources. Join us on this transformative journey and discover how embracing hourly matching can power your organization’s sustainable future.
References
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/what-is-eus-affordable-energy-action-plan-2025-02-26/
https://repository.tudelft.nl/record/uuid%3A0ee1d99a-5ca2-499a-a2e8-7969039c1d35
Author: Tatiana Nanette Tongwa
Editor: Selin Türman Adam Karnama, PhD
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