How startups are driving the energy transition

The smarter E Podcast Episode 97 | June 23, 2022 | Language: German

Start-ups are often the drivers of innovation. This also applies to the energy transition. To leverage this potential, dena, the German Energy Agency, launched the "Start Up Energy Transition" program, or SET for short, several years ago. The program is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and the World Energy Council. There are currently numerous start-ups in the field of the new energy world. Why are they so important for a successful transformation? In which areas are they particularly dominant? And how can they help global corporations become even more committed to a renewable, decentralized and digital energy world? Andreas Kuhlmann, managing director of dena, reveals this and more.

Timeline

  • 0.55: Why are start-ups in particular so important for a successful energy transition?
  • 6.56: Which sectors do the start-ups come from and in which areas are there still follow-up needs?
  • 9.47: Digitalization: What trends and new digital solutions, technologies and products can we currently marvel at here?
  • 12.20: Should start-ups get even more support from politics in the future?

The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our moderators Tobias Bücklein and Zackes Brustik welcome and interview personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published every Thursday.

Click on the logo to listen to the podcast on the platform of your choice.

Since July 2015, Andreas Kuhlmann has been Chairman of dena's Executive Board and founder of the global startup network SET. The German Energy Agency (dena) sees itself as an independent driver and pioneer of the energy transition - both nationally and internationally. Through its work, dena aims to contribute to its success and to global climate protection.

Kuhlmann studied physics with a minor in economics at the universities of Bonn, Heidelberg and Corvallis (USA). He began his professional career in 1995 at the Institute for Environmental Physics at the Ruprecht Karls University in Heidelberg, where he worked primarily on the carbon cycle. This was followed by various positions in the political arena, including the European Parliament, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the German Bundestag, the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and the German Embassy in Stockholm. In 2010, Andreas Kuhlmann joined the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) and took over the policy and economics departments as head of the Strategy and Policy Division. He was responsible for the strategic and political development of BDEW as well as the dialog with politics, business and civil society.

Further Content
Press Release
The Smarter E Europe Sends a Strong Message: The Energy Future is Renewable

June 17, 2026

Europe is once again facing an energy crisis, another reminder of just how vulnerable our fossil fuel-based energy system is.

Press Release
Reliable, Cost-Effective and Climate-Neutral – The smarter E Europe 2026 Has Begun and Shows That a 24/7 Renewable Energy Supply Is Possible

June 23, 2026

Today The smarter E Europe 2026 opened its doors to the fully booked halls at Messe München: Until June 25, around 2,800 international exhibitors are presenting their solutions, applications and business models for a 24/7 renewable energy supply.

Press Release
Bidirectional Charging: Unlocking Revenue With Electric Vehicles and Reducing Grid Loads

19. June 2026

There is a clear vision: millions of electric vehicles serving as mobile storage units.

Press Release
Intersolar Europe: Votality Under Control – Solar Industry Enters Next Phase With Hybrid Power Systems

June 12, 2026

Hybrid PV systems combine solar installations and large-scale storage behind a single grid connection point, making the system more flexible.

Press Release
Energy Suppliers recognised with 10th Energy Transition Award by EUPD Research and The smarter E Europe

June 26, 2026

On June 25, 2026, pioneers of the energy transition from the DACH region were awarded the Energy Transition Award 2026 for their comprehensive range of products and services in the field of sustainable energy solutions at The smarter E Europe in Munich, Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry.

You are using an outdated browser

The website cannot be viewed in this browser. Please open the website in an up-to-date browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.