Published On: Tue, Jan 20th, 2026

Plug and Play: Austrian Startup EET Uses AI to Measure Whole-Home Power from One Socket

Measuring your home’s entire electricity usage used to require an electrician and a complex meter box upgrade. Now, an Austrian startup claims it can be done from a single wall socket.

Austrian cleantech company Efficient Energy Technology (EET) best known for its balcony solar system “SolMate” has launched a groundbreaking device named the Virtual Meter. Unveiled today, January 20, 2026, the device uses artificial intelligence to measure a household’s total electricity consumption through a single socket connection in under one second.

How It Works: AI Instead of Wiring

EET says the Virtual Meter eliminates the need for traditional hard-wired electricity meters (Smart Meters), offering a simplified solution for smart homes.

Instead of directly measuring the current at every circuit breaker, the AI-powered device continuously analyzes minute changes in voltage and phase signals from a standard electrical outlet. Whenever an appliance—like a washing machine or kettle switches on or off, it creates a unique signature. The AI infers the net electrical load of the entire home (whether single-phase or three-phase) with real-time accuracy.

“The system observes minute changes in voltage… generating comprehensive consumption data without multiple sensors or extensive wiring,” EET explained in its launch statement.

Why It Matters

This innovation comes at a critical time as Austria pushes for greater energy efficiency and green technology. The Virtual Meter offers several key advantages:

  • Plug & Play: No electrician required; installation is as simple as plugging in a lamp.
  • Real-Time Data: Usage is calculated in under a second, allowing for dynamic adjustments.
  • Smart Integration: It is fully compatible with home batteries, heat pumps, and EV chargers, helping homeowners optimize their usage during cheaper tariff windows—a crucial feature given the recent adjustments in energy pricing.

Accelerating the Transition

By reducing metering complexity, the Virtual Meter could accelerate the adoption of intelligent energy solutions. It aligns with the broader Austrian trend of integrating high-tech solutions into daily infrastructure, similar to the rollout of digital ID systems.

EET positions the technology as a cost-saver for both manufacturers and homeowners, removing the hardware barriers that often discourage smart energy adoption.

About the Author

- Maximilian Müller is a dynamic journalist with a talent for telling stories that matter. With over six years of experience, he has gained a reputation for his insightful reporting on politics and social issues. Maximilian holds a degree in journalism from the University of Innsbruck and has worked for prominent Austrian newspapers. His work has been recognized with several awards and he is committed to providing his readers with informative and thought-provoking journalism. Known for his passion and integrity, Maximilian is a rising star in the Austrian journalism scene.

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