Energy efficiency as a business model? Intelligent energy management systems

Not least due to the dramatic recent events in Fukushima, the German government last year decided to phase out nuclear power and thereby heralded the dawn of a new energy policy in Germany. Alongside renewable energies, local energy generation, energy storage and expansion of the grids, the new approach focuses heavily on the topic of energy efficiency. One key issue here is that the energy consumption of buildings represents around 40% of all energy consumed. Studies have shown that the economic savings which can potentially be achieved in buildings are at least 35%. Increasing the energy efficiency of buildings can therefore make a significant contribution both to the new energy supply strategy and to achieving the climate policy objectives associated with this. Intelligent energy management systems are needed to get a clearer picture of the energy influences within a building. After all, it is hard to consciously change things you cannot see - especially when people are unwilling to sacrifice comfort. The key here is to develop new business models which can then be rolled out on a large scale. Energy management and energy efficiency need to become sexy in order for the massive potential to be properly tapped. However, the process of increasing awareness for the topic of energy efficiency in buildings and further reducing energy consumption and costs in buildings requires the right legal and political framework conditions. This is precisely the area where I envisage the greatest challenge. I will therefore highlight the solutions that Kofler Energies has to offer in catering to these market trends and show what promising business models for energy management can look like.