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activities in the field of energy

Leading the energy transformation

Strategies for a digital and sustainable energy future

The energy system is undergoing a fundamental transformation – from fossil to renewable energy, from central power plants to distributed, decentralized generation facilities such as rooftop solar panels or wind parks, from utilities to private residents as producers of energy, and from analogue to digital.

Energy markets research at ESMT Berlin focuses on the opportunities that emerge with digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and AR/VR. Founders, startups and SMEs encounter lower barriers to entry, they test new business models and initiate partnerships with established players.

ESMT Berlin offers a broad portfolio of executive education formats to train and prepare managers for the transition into the new energy world, including open and customized programs, keynotes and hands-on workshops.

Decentralised energy – a global game changer

Book cover decentralized energy

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The 3 stages of a country embracing renewable energy

Publication cover The 3 Stages of a country embracing renewable energy

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Economic perspectives on recommunalization

Publication cover recommunization

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Vulnerabilities in smart meter infrastructure

Publication cover blockchain

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Blockchain in the energy transition – survey results

In English

The decentralized energy revolution: business strategies

Book cover decentralized energy revolution

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  • Research and publications (selection)

    Decentralised Energy – a Global Game Changer, with A. Froggatt and C. Mitchell (eds.). Ubiquity Press (2020)

    Economic Perspectives on Recommunalization in the Energy Sector. notes internationals No. 215, Barcelona Centre for International Affairs CIDOP (2019)

    Peer-to-Peer Trading and Blockchains: Enabling Regional Energy Markets and Platforms for Energy Transactions, with D. Shipworth, and F. Sioshansi. in Sioshansi, F. (2019), Consumer, Prosumer, Prosumager: How Service Innovations will Disrupt the Utility Business Model, Academic Press

    Vulnerabilities in smart meter infrastructure – can blockchain provide a solution?, with A. Trbovich, Dena/ESMT publications (2018)

    The 3 Stages of a Country Embracing Renewable Energy. Harvard Business Review, online edition (2017)

    Blockchain in the energy transition. A survey among decision-makers in the German energy industry, with A. Kuhlmann and P. Richard. Dena German Energy Agency/ESMT publications (2016)

    How the ‘Big Beyond’ will change business models of utilities. Oxford Energy Forum, vol. 26 (2016)

    European Utilities: Strategic Choices and Cultural Prerequisites for the Future. in Sioshansi, F. (2016), Future of Utilities – Utilities of the Future, Academic Press

    Innovation Performance of the US American & European Electricity Supply Industry. Energy Policy, 11/2015, vol. 86 (2015)

    The Decentralized Energy Revolution: Business Strategies for a New Paradigm. Palgrave-Macmillan (2013)

  • Keynotes and panels (selection)

    Digital Transformation Technologies

    Rethink HR Tech Berlin, November 27, 2019

    The Multi-Tier Framework - MTF, from electricity access to appliances to impacts on development

    Atelier Impact Socio-Eco de l'Electrification Décentralisée, La Fondation pour les études et recherches sur le développement international (Ferdi), November 13, 2019

    Blockchain - from processes to platforms

    Blockchain Summit 2019, The Republican Graduate School of Business & Management and The Westminster International University in Tashkent, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 5, 2019

    The decentralized energy revolution

    Local Energy Supplies and Recommunalization of Utility Providers, CIDOB Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, Barcelona, Spain, March 29, 2019

    Energy transition in the Federal Republic of Germany: an evaluation and outlook

    Energy transitions. A Global Challenge, Fundacion Naturgy, 12 March 12, 2019

    Blockchain für Gas- und Stromnetze – eine Illusion?

    DVGW Congress, December 12, 2018

    An analysis of existing applications - why proof-of-concepts are not making it to enterprise implementation

    Digital Commodities Summit - London 2.0 Strategies to deliver mainstream market adoption for blockchain, IoT and AI, S&P Global Platts, November 12, 2018

    Blockchain technology: How soon?

    Innovation & Disruption at the Grid's Edge, Cornwall Insight, June 19, 2018

  • In the news (selection)

    A Wake-up Call for the Corporate World

    The European Business Review, March 29, 2020

    Op-ed: The failure of privatization in the energy sector and why today’s consumers are reclaiming power

    Power Engineering, June 26, 2019

    The failure of privatization in the energy sector and why today's consumers are reclaiming power

    Renewable Energy World, June 26, 2019

    Has blockchain matured beyond the hype?

    Montel News, June 21, 2019

    AIE: La importancia de la transición energética. Los desafíos para Argentina

    EnerNews, March 14, 2019

    DW Studiogespräch zum Thema Elektromobilität / Batteriezellenfertigung

    Deutsche Welle, November 13, 2018

    Blockchain: Downfall Or The Future Of utilities?

    Forbes, April 10, 2018

    Utilities step into blockchain to stay ahead of Europe’s energy shakeup

    Reuters, March 23, 2018

    Blockchain: Alles was ihr schon immer wissen wolltet, aber euch nie getraut habt zu fragen

    Soundcloud Blindstrom - der Energiepodcast, March 13, 2018

    Energiewende: Via Blockchain zum Ziel?

    Berlin Valley, February 28, 2018

    DW Studiogespräch zum Thema Diesel am Ende - alternative Antriebe

    Deutsche Welle, January 2, 2018

  • Research Project ETIBLOGG

    The energy market and the needs of consumers are changing constantly. Smart solutions and applications have become an indispensable part of that market. The ETIBLOGG (Energy Trading vIa Blockchain-Technology in the LOcal Green Grid) Project aims to develop blockchain-based solutions to make trading with even the smallest amounts of energy more efficient and faster.

    On 1 April 2018, a consortium of twelve partners from industry and research received a support mandate by the German Ministry for Economy and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie = BMWi) as part of the technology support program “Smart Service Welt II” for this and several other application cases.

    As part of the consortium, ESMT Berlin is analyzing new, Blockchain-based business models in the energy sector. Interviews are conducted with representatives of leading companies and startups that have already gained initial experience with the implementation of Blockchain technology at this early stage, including individual apps and open platforms.

    ETIBLOGG is being funded for three years, from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2021.

  • Executive Education

    ESMT offers open enrollment, tailored programs and workshops for companies with the focus on digital transformation, competitive differentiation, tools for decision-making, and innovation in the new energy system.



    Sample program topics:

    • The international energy transformation – implications on corporate and business strategy
    • Risk-attractiveness workshop on emerging market segment
    • Innovation marketplace
    • Blockchain-based business models in the energy sector
    • Application workshop RPA (Robotic Process Automation) for energy executives
    • Artificial Intelligence and machine learning in the energy sector
    • Marketplace and ideation workshop new business models



    Participant profiles:

    • Directors, senior managers and top executives
    • Middle management and high potentials

       

    Duration:

    • From one day up to one week
    • As single module or split over several modules

     

    Customized programs for corporate clients (selection):

    ENBW, E.ON, RWE, Siemens, Uniper

     

    Regular teaching & input sessions on energy topics at/for institutions

    Cornwall Energy/Chatham House, ESCP, HEC Paris, London Business School, KAPSARC

Contact

Christoph Burger

 

Senior Lecturer, ESMT Berlin



christoph.burger@esmt.org

Jens Weinmann

 

Program Director, ESMT Berlin

jens.weinmann@esmt.org

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