ÖKOTEC starts Network for the Metal Industry
Networks are an important building block for achieving the German government’s energy and climate protection goals. We are offering a new network for companies in the metal industry at the start of 2026.
Blog
Innovations for Energy Efficiency at E-World 2026 Essen
Take your energy management to the next level with EnEffCo®, our software solution for Energy efficiency monitoring! Visit us at E-world in Essen from February 10 to 12, 2026.
Strategies for optimized Energy Management
In this article, we will show you how you can optimize your energy costs and benefit from other advantages through peak load management, consumption forecasts and the automated control of flexible systems.
Review of EnEffCo® Academy 2025
This year’s EnEffCo® Academy provided an exclusive platform for managing directors and energy managers to gain in-depth insights into the latest developments and research projects in the field of energy efficiency and digitalization.
AI-supported optimization of systems and processes
EnEffCo® connects systems and processes for smart operations. In this interview, Dr. Hans Rüdiger Lange explains how companies can leverage AI and digital solutions to realize savings potential and strengthen their competitiveness.
Benefits synergies of ISO 50001 and Emission Reduction Targets
Recognizing climate risks, taking advantage of opportunities: The expansion of ISO 50001 to include climate issues strategically strengthens companies. In this interview, Johannes Höpfner and Seyma Evli explain how this change can be achieved and why now is the right point in time.
White paper peak load management
Power prices for electricity have been pointing in one direction in particular since 2024: upwards. This increases the incentive for all companies that have not agreed individual grid fees to reduce their peak loads in order to save costs.
BMWK subsidy program “Transformation Concepts”
The new BMWi subsidy “Transformation Concepts” is launched: It supports companies on their way to climate neutrality. They receive a funding rate of 50% for their concept, the maximum funding amount is €80,000.*
CSRD & Omnibus Procedure
The Omnibus Package includes changes to the CSRD and is intended to ease the burden on companies and thus strengthen competitiveness. We have summarized the most important changes for you and provided tips for your next steps.
Network for the Introduction of Energy Management Systems
The Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) obliges companies with an average total energy consumption of more than 7.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) per year to set up an energy or environmental management system in accordance with ISO 50001 or EMAS. We support affected companies with our services.
Food Pinch: Flexible Heat Integration is Possible
The multi-year “Food Pinch” project was successfully completed. The further development of the classic pinch analysis for efficient system operation and optimal investment plans convinced the application companies.
Scope 3 Emissions in Greenhouse Gas Accounting
While many companies are already making progress in recording and reducing their direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2), Scope 3 emissions still represent a challenge for many companies.
Review of the EnEffCo® Academy 2024
A highlight for ÖKOTEC every year: the user conference for our EnEffCo® software. Users from industrial and commercial enterprises, experts from ÖKOTEC and partner companies come together for this event once a year.
Guide 8 steps to the product carbon footprint
A product carbon footprint (PCF) shows how many greenhouse gas emissions a product is responsible for over its life cycle and the resulting measures for climate protection.
Increasing energy efficiency in industry
ÖKOTEC experts have compiled an overview of the fields of action and a collection of measures for increasing energy efficiency and for natural gas substitution on the basis of more than 2,000 consulting projects
CSRD: Overview and Tips for Reporting Companies
Sustainability reporting is becoming mandatory for many European companies. This is regulated by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Previously, the Non-Financial Reporting Directive regulated the mandatory reporting of non-financial indicators for selected large companies.
Energy Efficiency Act — new obligations for many companies
The German Bundestag recently passed the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), which represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient use of energy. We have summarized the new requirements for companies for you.
Refrigerant phase-down: The F-Gas regulation
More than 2 million refrigeration and air conditioning systems in industry and commerce are affected by the new F-Gas regulation. We have compiled the most important information on the changeover, as well as tips on implementation for you.
Step by step to a transformation concept – new guide published
The guide explains the steps required to develop a funded concept for climate neutrality and has been published by ÖKOTEC, GUTcert and the German Business Initiative for Energy Efficiency e.V. (DENEFF).
Program for energy efficiency and climate protection continues
The Coordination Centre for Circular Economy, Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection in Companies (KEK) has been consulting, mediating and connecting companies in Berlin on the topics of energy efficiency and climate protection since 2022.
Update on funding for energy and resource efficiency
To increase investment in climate protection measures, the federal subsidy for energy and resource efficiency in the economy (EEW) has been amended. We have compiled all the changes for you.
Get to know our solutions for energy & climate protection
Take your energy management to the next level with us and EnEffCo®! Join us from February 20 to 22, 2024 at E-world, the leading trade fair for the energy scene in Essen. You will find us in Hall 4, Stand F118.
New Guide: From energy to climate management
In cooperation with GUTcert and the registered organization German Corporate Initiative Energy Efficiency (DENEFF), ÖKOTEC publishes a guide that supports companies on their way to climate neutrality.
Focus on energy efficiency and CO2 savings
For the ninth time, around 60 people from industrial and commercial companies, experts from ÖKOTEC and partner companies met at the annual user conference for our Energy efficiency monitoring software, EnEffCo®.
Flexible heat integration with dynamic pinch analysis
The food industry requires a lot of heat and cold. The aim of the Food Pinch research project is to use heat and cold more efficiently and to put waste heat flows to further use. Researchers are developing and testing a dynamic pinch analysis for this purpose.
Interview on the 10th anniversary of EnEffCo®
EnEffCo®, our software solution for Energy efficiency monitoring, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Launched as a research and development project, EnEffCo® is one of the best software solutions available on the market.
Research partners for carbon-neutral process heat
Are you currently planning actions to decarbonize process heat generation or would you like to be a pioneer in carbon-neutral heat supply? A funded project aims to accelerate the use of energy-efficient, carbon-neutral process heat solutions.
Heat pumps in industry for waste heat recovery
Heat pumps in industry are a key technology on the path to decarbonization, as they enable the electrification of heat generation and can therefore replace oil and gas as energy sources. We summarize the possible applications, potential for you.
Energy management in practice for the manufacturing industry
ÖKOTEC, ENERGEERING and FLEXIM are hosting a training on energy management for the manufacturing industry in Oberhausen. The training covers current and new topics with practice-oriented lectures and workshops.
Funding program “Climate Protection Contracts” launched
With the new “Climate Protection Contracts” (Klimaschutzverträge) funding program, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is supporting companies in the energy-intensive industries.
Efficiency monitoring with energy performance indicators
Efficiency monitoring provides precise information for supply technologies and production processes. In the whitepaper you will learn how to set up or optimize energy efficiency monitoring with suitable performance indicators.
Why energy monitoring is worthwhile
Whether mandatory or voluntary, energy monitoring is worthwhile for companies that want or need to save energy. But the systematic recording and evaluation of energy consumption has a whole range of other advantages.
Digital solutions for energy transition & climate protection
At the E-world trade fair in Essen, Germany – the industry meeting place for the energy scene – we will make the hearts of ambitious energy managers beat faster. We present innovative and diverse application possibilities with EnEffCo®.
Reducing energy costs with flexible energy management
Arne Grein, expert for energy markets, shares his assessment of the current situation and gives tips that companies should consider for future-relevant decisions in order to reduce energy costs and increase security of supply at the site.
EnEffNet – Digital networking platform for efficiency solutions
ÖKOTEC and Fraunhofer IPK are developing a high-performance digital networking platform to implement innovative efficiency approaches in companies within the new research and development project “EnEffNet”.
Guide to climate protection: On the way to climate neutrality
The newly developed guide provides a systematic overview of the key measures and activities for corporate climate protection in the food industry, underpinned by concrete recommendations, useful tips and catchy visualizations.
Implementation obligations of energy efficiency measures
The Ordinance on Securing the Energy Supply via Measures Effective in the Medium Term (EnSimiMaV) states that companies with an annual energy consumption of 10 GWh or more are obliged to implement economic measures.
Renewable energy: seizing opportunities for integration
On the path to climate neutrality, renewable energies are an important component for companies. Against the backdrop of rising electricity and gas prices, it is worthwhile to take a comprehensive look at investments in renewable energy sources.
Responding to the energy crisis and pursuing climate neutrality
Responding to the energy crisis and pursuing climate neutrality were the focus of this year’s EnEffCo® Academy. For the eighth time, users of our energy efficiency controlling software met to learn about innovations and to share best practices.
Energy cost containment program launched
Energy-intensive and trade-intensive companies have been able to apply to the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). The goal is to support companies that are particularly hard hit by high energy prices.
How do retail companies become climate neutral?
The German Retail Association (HDE) and ÖKOTEC publish a free guide that offers retail companies a practical introduction to climate protection management and explains the individual steps practically.
Veolia Germany publishes Sustainability Report
In May of this year, Veolia Germany published its Sustainability Report 2021, providing comprehensive information on its goals and measures that contribute to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the progress made to date.
Rising gas prices – Making use of waste heat in industry
In the Food Pinch R&D project, we are developing innovative processes to significantly reduce the energy consumption of heating and cooling supply systems in industrial plants and leverage potential savings.
ÖKOTEC advises the network of the food industry
The climate protection campaign of the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries (BVE) has reached a new milestone: the first energy efficiency and climate protection network of the food industry was successfully launched at the end of April.
Food Pinch presented as best-practice project at conference
Our research project Food Pinch – energy saving with software-based pinch control – was presented in a poster exhibition at the two-day congress “Energy Efficiency Research for Industry and Commerce” on May 17 and 18, 2022.
New Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
For several months now, politicians, companies, industry associations, NGOs and journalists have been intensively dealing with the announced Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), a reporting obligation on sustainability for companies.
Climate-friendly production – public subsidies for concepts
DUO PLAST AG has set out on the path to climate neutrality. For this purpose, ÖKOTEC is developing a transformation concept with a roadmap of measures for climate-friendly production together with the stretch film manufacturer.
Climate protection program for Berlin companies launched
The Coordination Office for Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection in Business (KEK) is now offering Berlin companies free consulting and networking opportunities. A special added value is created by the SME detailed consulting on site.
New guide – Reduction of CO2 emissions in the plastics industry
Offering practical guidance, examples and tips for suitable measures to systematically increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions are the focus of the new guide for the plastics processing industry.
ÖKOTEC launches five networks in 2021
Energy efficiency networks have been an integral part of ÖKOTEC’s business since its beginnings over 22 years ago. Over 50 networks have been accompanied by our team of experts in various roles.
CO2 savings in industrial cooling system concept
Through a holistic energy optimization of their cooling system, DUO PLAST AG now saves 575 tons of CO2 per year in foil production. ÖKOTEC supports this flagship project of the German Energy Agency with its expertise.
CO2-neutral production with artificial intelligence
Scientists at Darmstadt Technical University, together with ÖKOTEC and partners from industry, are investigating how CO2-neutral production can work in the research project ETA model factory with artificial intelligence.
Intelligent load management for e-vehicle fleets
Charging electric vehicles in an uncoordinated manner can lead to peak electricity consumption and thus high costs – especially for companies and fleet operators. The solution: Intelligent load management.
Climate-neutral coffee at the CAFEA Group
By 2030, the CAFEA Group aims to produce coffee as climate-neutrally as possible. In order to achieve this, greenhouse gas emissions are being minimized and the product portfolio is being made more eco-efficient and effective.
Project office savings meter commissioned
The pilot program Savings Meter (“Einsparzähler”) of the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control funds digital business models for energy efficiency. Since January 2021, the Project Office has been supporting program realization.
New support program for energy-intensive industries
The “Decarbonization in Industry” program of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) helps energy-intensive industries to largely and permanently reduce process-related greenhouse gases through the use of innovative technologies.
Future documentation of supply chains for refrigerants
The Phase-Down procedure limits the quantities of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The availability of refrigerants is decreasing, prices continue to rise and illegal trade in refrigerants is being tackled in the EU with a new law.
New Major Release of ÖKOTEC Software EnEffCo®
In addition to the Sankey visualization, the new major release includes a number of highlights such as the heatmap as a new chart type, deep links at asset level in reports and the introduction of an approval process by a selected user for reports.
Pinch analysis: “We want to make the static method dynamic”
ÖKOTEC experts Knut Grabowski and Georg Ratjen explain what is meant by a pinch analysis and how they are developing it further in the current R&D project Food Pinch in an interview with the trade magazine DLG.
Outlook Energy Efficiency Funding Competition
Companies from a variety of industries submitted a wide range of energy-efficient measures and plan to invest around €19.5 million to increase energy efficiency in order to save around 16,000 tons of CO2 per year.
ÖKOTEC accompanies network for energy efficiency
The energy efficiency and climate protection network of the German Plastics Processing Industry Association aims to reduce energy consumption in the plants over the next three years and thus contribute to climate protection.
Energy efficiency network Berlin plus saves 22,000 t CO2
Eleven companies from Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt implemented more than 190 energy-saving projects in the Berlin plus energy efficiency network over the last three years, reducing their CO2 emissions by around 22,000 t CO2.
Climate protection campaign for the food industry launches
The food industry is taking a pioneering role with the PlusPlus Principle climate protection campaign of the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries, as this is the first climate protection campaign aimed at an industrial sector.
Dr. Zschocke selected as a leading figure in energy transition
How do we shape the future of energy supply? This question is answered by the 50 outstanding minds in the energy industry in the Energy 4.0 compendium, including ÖKOTEC company founder Dr. Christoph Zschocke.
CO2 footprint for all products in real time
A new method makes it possible for the first time to determine a specific CO2 footprint for all manufactured products in real time. This is made possible by an extension for digitalized energy management.
Food Pinch: Energy saving through dynamic pinch control
ÖKOTEC Energiemangement and RWTH Aachen LTT university are developing solutions in the Food Pinch research and development project to intelligently connect heat sources and heat sinks in the food industry.
Successful North-East Network enters second round
During the three-year network period, the 13 participating companies achieved savings of up to ten percent of their respective energy consumption. In total, the participants implemented around 80 individual measures during the network period.
Transition to ISO 50001:2018 – Major changes
As of Feb. 21, 2020, audits for energy management systems may only be performed in accordance with the revised version of ISO 50001:2018. This includes audits for initial and recertification as well as surveillance audits.
Automotive manufacturer focuses on resource conservation
EnEffCo® has been awarded the contract by the BMW Group for the digitalization of energy management. The software for energy efficiency controlling will be successively deployed at 16 locations worldwide to continuously reduce energy and water consumption.
Intelligent and automatic plant control with EnEffReg
Our EnEffReg research project has confirmed: Intelligent and automatic plant control with EnEffReg is possible. The software-based system continuously monitors plants for energy efficiency. Learn more in our short film.
Energy performance indicators in practice: EnPI-Connect
We have already had contact with many of our customers on energy performance indicators (EnPIs) in the wake of the standard revision of ISO 50001 and the increased requirements for evidence of improvement in energy-related performance (ebL).
Will machines soon save energy on their own?
EnEffReg® makes self-regulation possible. Together with users from Bayer, Daimler and thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, ÖKOTEC and Fraunhofer IPK have developed a novel system that automatically makes the operation of plants more energy efficient.
EnPI-Connect: BMU honors energy-efficient companies
During the Berlin Energy Days, the BMU presented awards to Daimler Berlin, Stockmeyer and City Clean for their commitment to climate protection. They successfully introduced energy indicators in a practical test. Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry, presented awards to Daimler Berlin, Stockmeyer and City Clean for their commitment to climate […]
Digital Energy Management with EnEffCo® – Case Study Veolia
EnEffCo®, our software for energy efficiency controlling, realizes efficiency gains for the site operator and the resident companies in the industrial parks in Heinsberg and Düren-Niederau. Read the practical example in CHEManager.
Daimler relies on EnEffCo® for energy management
At the end of 2018, Daimler began rolling out EnEffCo® in more than 15 plants worldwide. The rollout will initially focus on Europe, with several hundred thousandlicense data points to be connected worldwide.
New guide to ISO 50001:2018 published
Companies worldwide use the procedure of the ISO 50001 standard to systematically record energy consumption and make it more efficient. At the end of 2018, the revised DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 standard for energy management was published.
Trends and drivers for more resource efficiency in industry
In an interview with Veolutions, Knut Grabowski and Boris Lesjean give their assessment of opportunities for greater CO2 reduction in industry, what challenges industrial companies face and provide helpful tips.
ÖKOTEC implements intelligent vehicle loading at BSR
BSR in Berlin charges its vehicles mainly at times of low electricity prices on the stock exchange – intelligent, flexible vehicle charging makes this possible. In addition, peak load management has been introduced.
Energy efficiency network of the Building Materials Association
The energy efficiency network of the industry association vero is intended to reduce energy consumption in the companies and thus contribute to climate protection. ÖKOTEC accompanies the network as an energy technology consultant.
Climate protection concept – savings potential for water supply
As part of a climate protection sub-concept, the Waldwasser water supply company has had the status quo and energetic potential of the Flanitz drinking water supply plant at the Frauenau drinking water dam intensively investigated.
Optimized charging of e-vehicles with EnEffCo®
Charging electric vehicles results in potential savings that can be exploited as part of flexible energy management. Our case study shows the revenue opportunities that can be realized with small fleet service vehicles.
EnPI-Connect: Energy performance indicators in practice
The project “EnPI-Connect in practice” is aimed at energy managers and controllers in companies that operate certified energy management and want to refine their key figures and efficiency controlling for significant energy consumers.
EnEffReg® – Innovative and automatic system control
The software solution for energy efficiency controlling EnEffCo® developed by ÖKOTEC creates an important basic prerequisite for companies to analyze, optimize and control their energy consumption and the efficiency of their plants.
CO2-footprint in real-time – ÖKOTEC starts R&D project
With “co2realtime”, companies will be able to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and save energy costs in the future. What is particularly innovative about the project is that the CO2 footprint is based on real-time data and is product-specific.
Waste heat utilization in the steel mill – Georgsmarienhütte GmbH
The German Energy Agency’s (dena) “Lighthouses CO2 savings in industry” project aims to publicize economic energy efficiency potential and proven measures for waste heat utilization. This example shows the use of waste heat in a steel mill.
ÖKOTEC involved in the WindNODE model project
WindNODE was selected as one of the 5 model regions within the SINTEG funding program of the BMWi. Model solutions for the 100 percent renewable, intelligent energy system of the future are being worked on there.
What is energy efficiency and how is it measured?
We developed a methodology to achieve the central goals of monitoring and evaluating systems. Companies are thus able to actually monitor and realistically evaluate the efficiency of their energy use.