Summary of "Warum ich mit diesem Video verdammt viel Ärger riskiere! Aber es muss RAUS!"

Analysis of the Public Conflict Between Philip Schröder and Leo Birnbaum

The video examines a public dispute between Philip Schröder, CEO of the German startup 1.5°, and Leo Birnbaum, CEO of the energy giant Eon. The debate centers on rising electricity prices and the energy transition in Germany, with Schröder accusing Eon of profiting excessively from network expansion and even sabotaging the energy transition, while Birnbaum defends the necessity of grid investments.

The Conflict

Philip Schröder leads a startup that sells solar systems and energy management solutions, positioning itself as an innovator challenging the established energy giant.
Eon operates extensive electricity grids and generates nearly 100 billion euros in annual revenue.
The dispute has played out publicly on LinkedIn, featuring harsh accusations from both sides.

Electricity Price Composition

The video explains that electricity prices consist of three main components:

Generation costs
Taxes and levies
Network charges

Recent spikes in electricity prices are strongly correlated with rising gas prices and CO2 certificate costs, largely driven by external factors such as the war in Ukraine.

Network Charges and Grid Expansion

Network charges cover the costs of maintaining and expanding the electricity grid, which is primarily owned by companies like Eon.
There is a significant backlog in grid expansion due to poor planning.
Investments in grid infrastructure are expected to reach hundreds of billions of euros by 2045.
These costs are reflected more rapidly in consumer bills now because expenses are settled annually, rather than every five years as before.

Redispatch Costs

Due to insufficient grid capacity:

Electricity generated from renewable sources in northern Germany sometimes must be curtailed.
Gas plants in the south ramp up to compensate.
This mismatch causes billions of euros in wasted expenses annually.

Impact of Solar Systems on Network Charges

Schröder argues that small private solar systems are not responsible for rising network fees.
The video explains that self-consumption of solar power reduces electricity drawn from the grid.
This reduction shrinks the denominator in the network charge formula, increasing per-unit fees for all consumers.
This is a known unfair effect currently being addressed by regulators.

Eon’s Profit Structure

Schröder claims that 75% of Eon’s net profit comes from regulated network charges, likening it to a compulsory levy.
The video confirms that about 74% of Eon’s profits come from regulated network operations.
These operations are heavily overseen by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA).

Returns on Equity and Regulatory Loopholes

Despite regulated caps on returns (5-7%), some large network operators reportedly achieve returns above 20%.
Eon subsidiaries rank high among these operators.
This is attributed to complex financial mechanisms such as loans and tax strategies rather than outright fraud.
The situation suggests that regulatory oversight could be improved.

Critique of Both Sides

The video concludes that:

Neither Schröder nor Birnbaum presents a fully clear or fair picture.
Both are driven by business interests.
Their use of buzzwords and accusations creates confusion and polarization rather than constructive solutions.

Call for Cooperation

The presenter emphasizes that:

Both innovative flexibility (like 1.5°’s offerings) and stable, well-maintained grids (like Eon’s) are essential.
These elements should be seen as complementary rather than adversarial.
The real enemy is wasted time and public confusion caused by such disputes.

Additional Information

The video also includes a sponsor segment promoting wooden craft kits from Magic Holz.

Presenters and Contributors

Andreas – Video presenter
Philip Schröder – CEO of 1.5°
Leo Birnbaum – CEO of Eon
Dr. Markus Schleuning – Spokesperson for the German Association for New Energy Industries (BNE)