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.
More successful together
ÖKOTEC starts Network for the Metal Industry
Networks are an important building block in the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (NAPE) for achieving the German government’s energy and climate protection goals and offer companies a wide range of benefits. ÖKOTEC has initiated and founded over 60 networks since 2004.
In early 2026, ÖKOTEC is launching a new energy efficiency and climate protection network[1] specifically for the German metal industry. It is aimed at responsible individuals from the fields of energy management, production, technology and sustainability.
Our experience from the last 20 years confirms that companies achieve the goals they set themselves by participating in a network and that the mutual exchange of ideas activates them. Our networks have received several awards from the Initiative for Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection Networks and the Association of Energy Efficiency Networks in Germany (AGEEN). We are continuing this successful concept in our new network for the metal industry.
Moderator of the Hanse and North-East networks
Steffen Held
“I have been organizing and moderating networks since 2006. I am passionate about this wonderful task every day. Through networking, I get people talking, open doors to innovation and mobilize for more energy efficiency and climate protection.”
This is an Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection Network
An energy efficiency and climate protection network is a systematic, targeted and unbureaucratic exchange of experience and ideas for companies that want to increase their energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A network usually consists of eight to 15 companies or company locations that meet regularly over a duration of three years.
The aim of the network is to permanently increase the energy efficiency of participating companies and noticeably reduce their energy costs and environmental impact. This is achieved by identifying actions for energy efficiency and climate protection in the network and supporting the companies in their implementation. (Source: IEEKN).
Overview: Our Network Offering for the Metal Industry
General conditions and components
- Duration: 2026 – 2028
- Number of companies: 10-15 companies
- 9 network meetings (face-to-face and digital); from ca. 09:00 – 16:00
- Individual consultant day
- Definition of an individual savings target for the network runtime
- Monitoring the savings target
Main topics for network meetings (selection)
- Waste heat, automation of HVAC systems, compressed air systems, energy performance indicators, energy storage, flexible energy management, refrigeration systems and refrigerants, employee motivation and participation, process heat, decarbonization technologies, heat pumps.
NW Meeting – Examples Agenda
- ca. 09:00 – 16:00, with breaks
- Welcome by ÖKOTEC and host company
- Exchange of experience – Tour de Table
- Expert input on the main topic
- Factory tour
- Continuation of exchange on main topic or further specialist impulse
- Network news
Mögliche Themenschwerpunkte für den Beratertag
- Energy efficiency & flexibility: energy / resources, heat planning, flexible energy management
- Climate: CO2 balance (CCF, PCF), strategy, decarbonization
- Energy management: Key figures & SEUs, ValERI, ENMS Check
Services and benefits of participation
- Current information on legal issues, political developments and subsidies
- Exchange of experience on innovative ideas, actions and specialist partners
- Expert input on coordinated key topics from experts
- Critical tours of the participating companies on a rotating basis
- Definition and review of savings targets
- On-site review meetings and / or consultant days for company-related support
Further benefits
- External communication: confirmation of participation, certificate and award plaque from the Initiative for Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection Networks (IEEKN)
- Training certificate per network meeting
- Network participation counts as ecological consideration (e.g. BEHG carbon leakage)
- Easy access to funded research projects (PINCH, WEIT ….)
- Participation in an IEEKN network enables you to obtain higher funding conditions for Module 5 of the Federal Subsidy for Energy and Resource Efficiency (EEW)
We would be happy to talk to you about the network. If you are interested, please contact Steffen (Tel.: +49 (151) 634 958 90; s.held@oekotec.de).
[1] The network initiative is currently supported by 21 associations and organizations from German industry and the German government, as well as other cooperation partners and multipliers. The initiative is managed by an office headed by the German Energy Agency (dena).
General Information
- Successful together: networks at ÖKOTEC
- IEEKN Initiative für Energieeffizienz- und Klimaschutz-Netzwerke e.V.
Are you interested in taking part? We look forward to hearing from you!
Senior Account & Project Manager
Christoph Korzenek
Head of Sales & Marketing
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