Number of companies in the Energy and Environment Cluster
Selected energy and environmental engineering companies
Leipziger Stadtwerke: Local energy experts
Multi-utility Leipziger Stadtwerke delivers energy to people in the region reliably and efficiently. Together with its subsidiary Netz Leipzig GmbH, it provides a comprehensive range of services surrounding the generation, transmission and distribution of gas, electricity and district heating in Leipzig. Together with Leipziger Stadtholding, Leipziger Stadtwerke is actively shaping the energy transition and preparing strategically and technically for future demands. As a competent energy partner with a leading position in central Germany, Leipziger Stadtwerke offers its customers smart, future-proof solutions for the green, decentralized and networked energy world of tomorrow. Its portfolio of services includes energy supply, wholesale, generation, distribution networks and energy services.
VNG: The natural gas specialists
The Leipzig-based VNG Group is made up of 20 fully consolidated companies in the European gas industry in 8 countries. Its core business is subdivided into four divisions: Exploration and Production, Sales, Transmission and Storage. VNG AG, the parent company of the VNG Group, also handles gas trading. VNG Norge AS produces natural gas in Norway and neighbouring regions. ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, an independent gas transmission system operator, independently markets the secondlargest gas grid. And VNG Gasspeicher GmbH offers storage capacity across Europe. In 2016, the 1,300-strong workforce generated revenue of about €7.2 billion.
European Energy Exchange: The power bourse
Since it was founded in 2002, the Leipzig-based EEX European Energy Exchange has grown from a local energy bourse into Europe’s leading energy exchange. It is part of an international corporation, the EEX Group, which is involved in international partnerships and has carved out a lasting position for itself as a global commodities platform. Electricity, natural gas, environmental products (e.g. emission allowances and guarantees of origin for renewable electricity), freight rates, metals and agricultural products are all traded on the markets of the EEX Group. The EEX Group includes the European Energy Exchange (EEX), EPEX SPOT, Powernext, Cleartrade Exchange (CLTX), Gaspoint Nordic, Power Exchange Central Europe (PXE) and Nodal Exchange. It also maintains two clearing houses: the European Commodity Clearing (ECC) and, in the USA, Nodal Clear. The EEX Group links up a network of more than 500 trading participants from over 30 countries, including utilities, industrial companies, energy traders, brokers and banks. At the end of 2016, the EEX Group had over 450 staff at 15 locations, including 208 in Leipzig. In 2016, the revenue of the EEX Group reached a record €234.2 million, a substantial increase on the previous year’s €190.4 million.
ONTRAS Gastransport
Based in Leipzig, ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH is a national gas transmission system operator within the European gas transport system. ONTRAS operates Germany’s second-largest gas transmission network comprising approximately 7,000km of pipelines and about 450 interconnection points to ensure the smooth transport of natural gas to its customers. To do so, it coordinates the interests of transmission clients, dealers, regional network operators and producers of renewable gas. On 9 November 2016, the German gas industry’s Innovation and Climate Protection Awards (an event held jointly by the trade associations ASUE, BDEW, DVGW and Zukunft Erdgas) were presented. One of the prize-winning projects was a mobile gas compressor developed by ONTRAS in conjunction with a number of partners to ensure the high availability of biogas feed-in plants.
UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
One of the institutions conducting regionally and internationally acclaimed research in a wide range of fields concerning the environment and energy is the UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research. It produces sound findings, technological solutions and recommendations for decision-makers designed to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and human development. The transfer of technologies and knowledge to society and industry is an integral part of its activities.
Much of UFZ’s innovative research infrastructure offers vita links between science and industry and provides the basis for possible research projects, such as the 3D visualization of data, measurements and numerical simulations as well as advanced technologies for the high-resolution exploration of complex underground structures, integrated Earth observation, and the interpretation of satellite data based on ground truth data.
Through its knowledge transfer activities, UFZ provides a wide spectrum of practical expertise. The main beneficiaries are decision-makers in national and international institutions responsible for implementing environmental and natural resources policy as well as all those interested in environmental matters. Of particular importance is the small-scale, empirically based assessment of the progress made in the energy transition. A decisive factor for accurate appraisal is the interaction between weather-dependent fluctuating and flexible power producers, since a reliable energy supply is only possible if they all work together.
Waterworks: Water experts for Leipzig and the region
Every day, municipal waterworks Leipziger Wasserwerke delivers tap water to around 660,000 people in and around Leipzig and handles the green disposal of sewage. To do so, it continues to invest in modern infrastructure of the highest quality. Moreover, it’s an important employer and training company, and every year it takes on plenty of school-leavers as apprentices to ensure it will continue to have enough well-trained staff in the future. The company owns three successful subsidiaries: Bau und Service Leipzig GmbH, Sportbäder Leipzig GmbH and Wassergut Canitz GmbH. The waterworks is part of the Leipzig Group safeguarding the quality of life in Leipzig and the region.
Sachsen Wasser: Globally active for the environment
Sachsen Wasser GmbH provides services across the world for the drinking water and wastewater industry, especially in the fields of consulting, plant operation and training. The company operates in Southeast Europe, South America, East Africa, Central and Southeast Asia as well as the Middle East in order to build up efficient, sustainable water management systems. Its specialists have so far passed on their expertise to clients from 38 countries in 138 projects. This development cooperation contributes to raising supply and hygiene standards in regions hit by water scarcity and political crises and helps improve municipal infrastructure.
Source: Leipzig Means Business 2017