Jump to Navigation Jump to search Jump to Content Jump to Footer
NRWBG_Branchentexte_Energie_Header__c__Soonthorn_Wongsaita__shutterstock.jpg

Energy sector in NRW

Successful in the energy transition

Power for people and companies

North Rhine-Westphalia is Europe's most important energy region. The state is home to international power utilities, energy-intensive manufacturing companies, power plant producers, as well as a large number of developers, providers and users of energy technology and services. Some 120 institutes at more than 30 universities as well as about 20 non-university research organizations conduct energy-related teaching and research, with special emphasis on increasing energy efficiency and exploiting the potential of renewables. NRW is among the international front-runners with regard to the development, testing and commercialization of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.

46.000

Employees
More than 4,700 companies employ around 46,000 people in the renewable energy sector.

168

million €
Of the funds spent nationwide on energy research at universities, NRW accounts for around 168 million euros annually. That is about a quarter of the total sum.

Projects for a successful transition to clean energy

Energy efficiency is high up on the research agenda in North Rhine-Westphalia. For instance, the Helmholtz Institute for Ionics in Energy Storage in Münster is addressing a key issue: how to store electric power in large quantities over long periods within compact dimensions. The institute has decided to concentrate its efforts on electrolytes, the most important component of any battery. North Rhine-Westphalia is also conducting research into smart electric power utilization. For example, the utility company RWE is involved in various projects centering on smart grids, smart meters and integrated home automation.

Companies from the energy sector in NRW

At home in NRW – at home in the world

Formerly coal – today the energy of tomorrow

Big player in the energy business

Technology for the future

Gearboxes for wind farms

Photo credits

© Soonthorn Wongsaita, shutterstock
© Tom Buysse, shutterstock.com
© Brian Guest, shutterstock
© I AM NIKOM, shutterstock.com
© industryviews, shutterstock

Innovation topics

North Rhine-Westphalia has long since ceased to be just the land of heavy industry and staid SMEs. In a dynamic environment of excellent research clusters, innovative startups, world market and industry leaders and globally active SMEs, a federal state has developed that stands for economic success in Germany like no other. Whether e-mobility, cyber security, Industry 4.0 or biotech or medtech: In NRW, people are already working on the future.

klein_NRWGB_RGB_R_D_KB_07227.jpg

Medtech

NRWGB_RGB_Industry_4-0.jpg

Smart industry

NRWGB_RGB_MotivWasserstoff_v3.jpg

Hydrogen

NRWGB_RGB_Smart_Mobility_KB_08682.jpg

Smart mobility

NRWGB_RGB_Cybersecurity_KB_09457.jpg

Cybersecurity

NRWGB_RGB_Biotech_KB_09908.jpg

Biotechnology