Municipal Energy Management Showcased by Bergisch Gladbach City at NRW-Energy4Climate Congress of NRW
In the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the city of Bergisch Gladbach took centre stage as an expert speaker at the NRW Communal Congress held in Wuppertal's Historical City Hall on September 11, 2025. The event, organised by NRW.Energy4Climate, a state company for energy and climate protection in NRW, focused on practical approaches to reducing municipal energy costs and the structured introduction of energy management systems.
Jasper Steeger, Energy Manager of the city of Bergisch Gladbach, presented the implementation and progress of Kom.EMS in the municipal energy management. Kom.EMS, a digital tool, helps the administration systematically evaluate, further develop, and sustainably anchor its energy management based on clearly defined and traceable criteria. Bergisch Gladbach is one of the first municipalities in NRW 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 inclusion of an energy control system. This collaborative approach has been crucial in Bergisch Gladbach's advancement in the implementation of Kom.EMS.
The presentation at the NRW Communal Congress sparked significant interest among municipalities in NRW, particularly from energy-relevant administrative areas. Prof. Dr. Kornelia Drees and Dirk Depping, both Kom.EMS coaches, also presented at the event, sharing their expertise and insights on the importance of a functioning energy management system as the basis for continuous improvement of energy-related performance.
NRW aims to become the first climate-neutral industrial region in Europe, and initiatives like the one in Bergisch Gladbach are a significant step towards achieving this goal. The introduction of energy-saving models in schools and daycare centers was a key topic at the event, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices at all levels of society.
NRW.Energy4Climate supports companies and municipalities in NRW in efficiently implementing climate protection measures. The focus of NRW.Energy4Climate is on the municipal level, with concrete support in funding programs, project development, and knowledge transfer. The organisation also actively involves committed cities like Bergisch Gladbach in the exchange of experiences.
While the additional cities in NRW that have engaged Kom.EMS coaches and are involved in the implementation of Kom.EMS in the administrative sector are not explicitly listed in the provided search results, the momentum generated by Bergisch Gladbach's success is likely to inspire other municipalities to follow suit.
As the conversation around energy management and climate protection continues to grow, it is clear that cities like Bergisch Gladbach will play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future for NRW and beyond.
