City of Bergisch Gladbach showcases municipal energy management at NRW-Congress of NRW.Energy4Climate, demonstrating their role as leaders in structured energy management.
In the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, a significant stride towards climate neutrality was discussed at the NRW Communal Congress. The focus was on energy-saving models in schools and kindergartens, with a particular emphasis on practical approaches to reducing municipal energy costs.
The expert forum, organised by NRW.Energy4Climate—a state company dedicated to energy and climate protection in North Rhine-Westphalia—highlighted the importance of systematic energy management for municipal climate protection. NRW.Energy4Climate supports municipalities throughout the region in developing appropriate measures for climate protection, and extends this support to companies as well.
One such municipality making strides in climate protection is Bergisch Gladbach. Jasper Steeger, Energy Manager of the city, presented the implementation and progress of Bergisch Gladbach's energy management using Kom.EMS, a digital energy management tool that helps administrations systematically evaluate, develop, and sustainably anchor their energy management.
Bergisch Gladbach is one of the first municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia to strive for certification according to the Kom.EMS standard. The city's energy management is carried out in close cooperation with other specialist departments, the safety officer, and with the involvement of an energy monitoring system. A functioning energy management system forms the basis for continuous improvement of energy-related performance.
The city's commitment to Kom.EMS has been well-received. Bergisch Gladbach has secured the support of external Kom.EMS coaches as one of the first municipalities in NRW. Prof. Dr. Kornelia Drees and Dirk Depping, both Kom.EMS coaches, also presented at the NRW Communal Congress.
Bergisch Gladbach is not alone in its efforts. Cities and districts like Herne, Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis, and others have been involved in energy management initiatives. Herne has started a heat transition project with industrial waste heat utilization, while Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis is pursuing both municipal heating planning and a project for the systematic analysis of energy supply in industrial areas. Although specific support through Kom.EMS coaches has not been explicitly mentioned in the available sources, the progress includes network connections, planning projects, and pilot phases of digital energy management systems.
The city of Bergisch Gladbach served as an expert speaker at the NRW Communal Congress on September 11, 2025, in Wuppertal. This event underscores the importance of systematic energy management for municipal climate protection, as North Rhine-Westphalia aims to become the first climate-neutral industrial region in Europe. NRW.Energy4Climate's focus on the municipal level, with concrete support in funding programs, project development, and knowledge transfer, is a testament to the company's commitment to this goal.
