Nominations for Electrifying Ideas Award

The nominees in category 1 'Established companies' are Dehn, Midea and Swissbit. In Category 2 'Newcomers', ideas from the University of Wuppertal, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS and the Technical University of Dresden have been nominated. The two winners will receive their awards at the eSummit on May 22, 2025 in Berlin.

With the 'Electrifying Ideas Award', the ZVEI honors innovations and solutions that take into account the efficient use of energy and resources and have a benefit for society. "The number and quality of the ideas submitted was once again impressive," says ZVEI President Dr. Gunther Kegel. "As diverse as the nominated projects are, what they have in common is that they help us to make better use of resources, simplify processes or use or distribute energy more intelligently."

Nominees in category 1

• 'ABS Base Weight' from Dehn is a 3-in-1 solution for photovoltaic systems that combines mounting, fall protection and lightning protection in one system. The joint development by Dehn and ABS Safety offers the highest safety standards, maximum energy efficiency and economic benefits. The integration of the three systems saves valuable roof space, reduces the roof load and shortens installation time by up to 50 %. The compact design minimizes shading, increases energy yield and offers an aesthetically pleasing overall appearance. In addition, the integrated fall protection ensures maximum work safety and the lightning protection significantly increases fire protection.
• 'Midea H-Pack' is a compact, indoor air-to-water heat pump from Midea that does not require an outdoor unit and can therefore be installed almost anywhere. It offers a cost-effective and flexible solution for densely built-up properties, as it is simply connected to a conventional socket and does not require any complex installations. With a hybrid mode that automatically switches between heat pump and existing gas boiler, it offers maximum cost security and efficiency. The H-Pack is easy to maintain and works efficiently down to -20 °C outside temperature. The market launch is planned for early 2026.
• The universal digital high-security key from Swissbit offers two-factor authentication and secure storage in the form of an NFC device, such as a USB stick. Developed in Germany and produced with the involvement of a European supply chain, it promotes sustainability and regional value creation. The device supports the digital lifecycle in accordance with the Cyber Resilience Act and offers standard plug-in applets for access control, time recording and secure password storage. With integrated post-quantum cryptography and simple programming, it enables customer-specific customization and offers maximum security and user-friendliness.

Nominees in category 2

• The 'AtEne' project at the University of Wuppertal offers automated and cross-sectoral energy master planning for municipalities, municipal utilities and distribution network operators that integrates electricity, heating, hydrogen and natural gas networks. Planning efficiency is increased through the development of analysis tools that record and visualize grid effects, planned measures and investment costs. This enables targeted optimization of grid expansion, reallocation and synergies, which contributes to a secure, cost-efficient and sustainable energy supply and accelerates the energy transition at local level.
• With the 'NeuroQ-Bolt', the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuitry IIS has developed a smart bolt that continuously monitors its preload force and environment in order to detect maintenance requirements at an early stage and avoid wasting resources on neglected infrastructure. Used in structures and machines, it uses neuromorphic computing and LPWAN radio systems to alert in case of anomalies. Powered by energy harvesting, it reduces monitoring efforts and increases the lifespan of the infrastructure. This solution from Fraunhofer Institutes provides sustainable safety and efficiency for bridges, wind turbines, railroad infrastructure and more.
• 'Auteras' is an AI-supported planning and design software for building automation that integrates distributed and networked software/hardware systems through 'no-code programming'. Developed by TU Dresden, it facilitates the selection and combination of prefabricated software/hardware from extensive libraries, optimizes planning efficiency and supports small manufacturers and craftsmen. Auteras saves up to 90% design effort, promotes digital sovereignty and sustainability, and has been nominated for the Validation Award 2025 of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.