The startup center UnternehmerTUM has launched the Energy Innovation initiative. It connects energy suppliers, grid operators, technology companies, and partners from the mobility, heating, and research sectors. The initiative was presented to numerous representatives from the business and startup scene at the UnternehmerTUM forum.
Germany faces the challenge of decarbonizing its energy supply. The expansion of renewable energies requires increased sector coupling to overcome grid bottlenecks and rising energy prices. This is where Energy Innovation comes in: through close cooperation and implementation-oriented collaboration, pragmatic and cost-effective solutions are to be developed.
Johanna Bronisch, Head of Energy Innovation at UnternehmerTUM, emphasizes:
"Cross-sector collaboration is essential to create truly effective business models and scalable solutions for linking energy and neighboring sectors. Energy Innovation offers a unique framework for fruitful exchange and proven effective, implementation-oriented collaboration in a climate of trust. Together with our partners, we develop tangible concepts and products in the shortest possible time."
Focus on digital innovations and AI
The initiative is supported by the founding partners Accenture and SAP supports and works closely with the mobility network of the Digital Hub Mobility. Stefan Wager, Managing Director SAP Munich, explains:
"The long-standing collaboration between UnternehmerTUM and SAP has already produced a wealth of prototypes and product innovations for SAP. With this new initiative, we want to transfer this spirit of innovation to the energy sector and work on smart solutions together with strong partners and startups from our ecosystem. The integration of artificial intelligence will play a central role and open up many new applications."
Numerous companies and research institutions are already part of the network, including Bayernwerk, BMW Group, E.ON Group Innovation, Ionity, EWE Netz, LEW, Maingau Energie, Octopus Energy Germany, Tennet, The Mobility House, TransnetBW, the Research Center for Energy Economics (Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft e. V.), and RWTH Aachen University. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection is also sponsoring a current project on the intelligent integration of electric vehicles into the power grid.
The projects are carried out within a defined framework: The project partners develop and implement solutions within six months. Initial pilot projects have already shown promising results, including a power congestion forecast for grid stabilization, developed in collaboration with several grid operators. This solution will be tested in selected grids this summer.
