Steps forward in digitalisation and emissions reduction: Bergisch Gladbach implements digital energy management systems
Bergisch Gladbach Embraces Digital Energy Management System for Sustainable Urban Development
The city of Bergisch Gladbach is set to embark on an ambitious project aimed at fostering climate-friendly, sustainable urban development. Funded by the National Climate Protection Initiative (NKI), the city will implement a digital municipal energy management system (KEM) to optimize energy use at the municipal level.
The KEM, scheduled to run from November 15, 2025, to December 31, 2026, is a comprehensive initiative that focuses on efficient energy data collection, monitoring, and management across municipal buildings, infrastructure, and services. The system aims to reduce energy consumption, costs, and environmental impacts in managing municipal properties.
Funded activities under this system typically include the installation of digital metering and monitoring technologies, integration of energy management software, training for municipal staff on energy optimization techniques, and projects to identify and implement energy-saving measures. The KEM serves as a strategic tool that enables the municipality to systematically analyze energy flows, set reduction targets, and track progress to meet climate goals effectively.
Thore Eggert, Beigeordner for the Department of Real Estate, Properties, and Urban Green, stated that the funding will enable the city to use properties more efficiently and environmentally friendly. The KEM is expected to contribute to sustainable energy procurement and positively influence operating costs, as stated earlier.
Insights from the KEM will inform future investment decisions, such as the choice of new plant technology or decisions on renovations or new construction. The energy management system in Bergisch Gladbach is another step towards climate-friendly and sustainable urban development.
The NKI, in operation since 2008, funds projects that involve municipalities, companies, educational institutions, and civil society actors. The initiative has initiated and supported numerous projects that aim to achieve national climate protection goals. Further information about the NKI and funding opportunities can be found at www.klimaschutz.de/kommunalrichtlinie.
Bergisch Gladbach's energy management project is one of the projects funded by the NKI. The city submitted a funding application in 2022 and received approval for the early start of measures in 2023. The funding rate for the project is over 70 percent, meaning a significant portion of the total costs will be covered by federal funds.
The KEM's objectives include providing heat, light, electricity, air, and water with the lowest possible energy consumption. By incorporating digital technologies, the system supports decision-making based on real-time data, enhancing the municipality’s capacity to implement energy-efficient measures, promote renewable energy use, and ultimately, reduce environmental impacts in alignment with broader climate action plans.
In sum, Bergisch Gladbach’s KEM is a forward-looking digital framework funded to improve energy efficiency, empower sustainable urban development, and contribute significantly to the city’s climate protection strategy. The energy management system in Bergisch Gladbach is expected to serve as a model for climate-friendly urban planning, enabling transparent energy management and contributing to the city's sustainability targets.
- The digital municipal energy management system (KEM) in Bergisch Gladbach, funded by the National Climate Protection Initiative (NKI), aligns with this project's focus on environmental-science, as it aims to reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts in managing municipal properties.
- The KEM in Bergisch Gladbach, scheduled to run from November 15, 2025, to December 31, 2026, is a significant initiative in the field of science, as it invests in digital technologies for energy management that optimize energy use efficiently.
- The implementation of the KEM in Bergisch Gladbach, expected to be a model for climate-friendly urban planning, will influence future investment decisions in areas like finance, as insights from the system will inform choices regarding sustainable energy procurement and the use of renewable energy.
