Energy Efficiency Award

As part of the dena Energy Transition Congress in Berlin, five companies were honored on November 3 with the Energy Efficiency Award (EEA). The award recognized projects and concepts that exemplarily demonstrate how companies contribute to the energy transition and climate protection through innovative approaches. Corinna Enders, Chair of dena’s Management Board: "The awardees demonstrate in an inspiring way how entrepreneurial courage and sustainability go hand in hand. Their projects are real beacons on the path to climate neutrality – technically feasible, economically viable and market-ready. Many of these solutions also have the potential to be applied in other companies. This sends a strong signal for Germany as an innovation hub."

Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and Chair of dena’s Supervisory Board, emphasized:
"The awarded projects impressively show how strongly the German economy is investing in the energy transition today. Increasing investments, for example in energy efficiency, not only reduce energy costs but also safeguard the competitiveness of companies and drive the decarbonization of our economy forward. This is an important contribution to climate protection – and proof that innovation, sustainability and economic success can go hand in hand."

Four award categories – diverse approaches

The EEA is presented in four categories, reflecting the diversity of corporate engagement for the energy transition and climate protection  – ranging from renewables and system integration to digitalization and comprehensive transformation concepts. The awarded companies focus on digitalization and AI, the use of renewable energy, decarbonization of high-temperature heat and efficient use of waste heat. In addition, among more than 100 applications, a special award for outstanding commitment was presented to a small company.

Awarded companies:

• Category 1: Think Big! – Complex Energy Transition Projects
  This category honors systemic approaches and integrated solutions. Pöppelmann, Lohne, Germany – for constructing an innovative production hall for sustainable plastic manufacturing.
• Category 2: From Smart to Digital! – The Spectrum of Energy Efficiency
  Recognizes energy efficiency measures, including those enabled by digitalization. KIS Antriebstechnik, Dortmund, Germany – for developing a customized, AI-supported energy management system.
• Category 3: Achieving More Together! – Energy Services as Enablers of the Energy Transition
  Honors cooperative approaches involving external expertise. Stadt.Energie.Speicher and denkmalstadt, both Bremen, Germany  – for sustainable neighborhood energy supply using innovative river-water heat pumps.
• Category 4: Moving Forward! – Concepts for a Climate-Neutral Future
  Recognizes concepts advancing toward climate neutrality. tesa, Norderstedt, Germany – for designing a climate-neutral production process using hydrogen.

Special award for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

For their exceptional commitment as a small company, the dena Congress audience presented this Audience Award to: Solarwärme Bracht, Rauschenberg, Germany – for cooperatively organized renewable district heating with seasonal storage.

About the "Energy Efficiency Award"

The Energy Efficiency Award showcases concrete successes in the energy transition and climate protection. Since 2007, dena has recognized projects that save energy and CO₂, as well as corporate concepts demonstrating how the path to climate neutrality and industrial transformation can succeed. The award is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), with KfW as a premium partner. 

(Source: Deutsche Energie Agentur GmbH)