From 10 to 12 June, Berlin hosted a very special exchange bringing together 38 Energy Scouts from ten countries. The best Energy Scout teams were honored by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) for their practical projects on energy and resource efficiency.
On the first day, the Energy Scouts engaged in a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences regarding their practical projects. Each team showcased its nationally recognized project, highlighting approaches to energy and resource efficiency tailored to the needs and requirements of their companies. A particular highlight were the one-minute videos produced by the Scouts themselves. These videos not only provided concise and personal insights into their practical project but also demonstrated the great effort and creativity of the participants. Many contributions stood out for their originality and humor. Overall, the projects reflected a wide range of practical solutions across diverse sectors, including heavy industry, mobility, agriculture, hospitality and waste management.After the engaging presentations and a short walk to the Spree, the Energy Scouts had the opportunity to exchange ideas about their projects during a solar-powered boat tour through the heart of Berlin. Aquiz encouraged interaction between the participants from different countries, who had just met hours earlier. Then, to round off the evening, everyone could enjoy some food and network with each other.
On the second day, the group visited Florida Eis Manufaktur GmbH, a pioneering ice cream producer operating with CO₂-neutral production since 2013. The company relies on a variety of environmentally friendly technologies. Owner Olaf Höhn demonstrated how individual initiative can drive innovative and sustainable business solutions. He further presented plans for a new facility near Magdeburg, intended to build on and advance these sustainable methods.
Beyond the technical insights, the visit also highlighted the underlying mindset behind this success. Olaf Höhn conveyed a strong sense of purpose and long-term commitment to climate protection, making clear that the company’s development has been shaped not only by innovation, but by a clear ambition to contribute as a pioneer in sustainable production. This perspective resonated strongly with the Energy Scouts, who showed great interest in the practical implementation of these concepts.
Afterward, the Energy Scouts continued to the Siemens Energy turbine factory in Berlin-Moabit. This impressive industrial site, over 100 years old, is renowned for its striking architecture and has even been referred to as a “cathedral of work” due to its monumental design. During the tour, participants gained close-up insights into the massive turbines produced at the site and learned more about Siemens Energy’s technological innovations. They were introduced to the design and functionality of electrolyzers, which play a crucial role in hydrogen production. The visit illustrated the complexity and scale of modern energy systems and showed Siemens Energy’s contributions to various aspects of energy generation and transformation.
The third day began with the official award ceremony, organized in cooperation with the Unternehmensnetzwerk Klimaschutz. In total, 38 international Energy Scouts, along with around 250 German Energie-Scouts, were recognized for their achievements.
The certificates were presented by Dr. Ingrid Hanhoff, Head of the Division for National Climate Protection at BMUKN, Henner Pasch, President of the Bergische IHK Wuppertal-Solingen-Remscheid and Monique Zweig, CEO of IHK Ostbrandenburg.
Sofie Geisel, Managing Director of DIHK Service GmbH, guided the audience through the program together with moderator and industrial engineer Julius Neumann, contributing to a motivating and optimistic tone throughout the event.
The event concluded with lunch and networking, where participants could exchange ideas on their approaches to energy and resource efficiency.
©Paula Pietrass
