VK Energie
VK Energie GmbH, founded 2017 in Munich, develops AI-based optimization software for German municipal utilities and industrial operators, automating dispatch of CHP plants, heat pumps, batteries, and district heating systems across electricity spot and balancing markets via managed-service contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMünchen, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What VK Energie does
VK Energie GmbH is a Munich-based, privately-held German energy technology company founded in 2017 by Dr. Johannes Jungwirth and Philipp Schaltenberg. The company builds AI-powered optimization software for distributed energy systems, with a core product suite comprising VK Betriebsoptimierung (24/7 automated dispatch optimization across Day-Ahead, Intraday, and balancing power markets), VK Simulation (plant sizing and techno-economic modeling using FfE price forecasts), and VK Redispatch (Redispatch 2.0 regulatory compliance). Its proprietary, patent-protected 'Aktives Wärmespeichermanagement' algorithm enables flexible operation of combined heat and power (CHP/KWK) plants while maintaining heat supply coverage.
The company's primary customers are German municipal utilities (Stadtwerke), with a customer base of more than 20 named enterprise clients including Badenova, GASAG, Avacon, Mainova, Danpower, Pfalzwerke, Stadtwerke Stuttgart, TEAG, REWAG, and Stadtwerke Norderstedt, plus industrial operators (Webasto, Schwaben Regenerativ), district heating networks, and a hospital (Caritas Krankenhaus Bad Mergentheim). It is expanding into adjacent verticals including battery storage (10 MW Feuchtwangen project), large heat pumps (SysMMO research project, BWP Gold Partner 2026), and green hydrogen (Green Hydrogen Esslingen, Köthen Energie Power-to-Heat).
VK Energie generates revenue through bespoke managed-service optimization contracts and project-based simulation/consulting engagements, delivered exclusively via direct enterprise sales. Distribution is supported by a partnership with Thüga SmartService (since July 2019) and broad industry-association engagement (BWP, B.KWK, VBEW, FfE, Bayern Innovativ, Cluster Energietechnik Bayern). The company is privately held, has disclosed no external venture capital or private equity funding, and remains Germany-only in geographic scope, with 11–50 employees as of the latest disclosure. Following co-founder Philipp Schaltenberg's departure as Managing Director on 31 December 2025, Dr. Johannes Jungwirth serves as sole Geschäftsführer.
VK Energie firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VK Energie
- Legal name
- VK Energie GmbH
- Website
- https://vk-energie.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- VK Energie GmbH, founded 2017 in Munich, develops AI-based optimization software for German municipal utilities and industrial operators, automating dispatch of CHP plants, heat pumps, batteries, and district heating systems across electricity spot and balancing markets via managed-service contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VK Energie industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Energy Optimization Software
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Forecasting & AI Optimization for Flexibility (Load/Price/Renewables/SoC) (EUAFAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Market Bidding, Scheduling & Ancillary Services Optimization (Auto-bidder) (EUAFAKAG), DERMS/ADMS & Grid Operations Software Integration (Dispatch, Constraint Mgmt) (EUAMAIAG), District Energy & Community CHP (District Heating/Cooling Networks) (EUACAKAH)
Keywords
Where VK Energie is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- München
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
VK Energie business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Betriebsoptimierung (Operations Optimization Services): VK Energie provides continuous, automated optimization services for energy systems including CHP plants, heat pumps, batteries, PV, and district heating. Services are delivered as an ongoing managed service, likely on a subscription or performance basis, covering real-time optimization, market dispatch, and regulatory compliance.
- Simulation & Beratung (Simulation and Consulting): Simulation services for plant sizing, portfolio analysis, and techno-economic feasibility studies, likely offered as project-based professional services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
VK Energie product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VK Energie provides AI-based optimization software and managed optimization services for decentralized energy systems in Germany, including combined heat and power (CHP/KWK) plants, heat pumps, battery storage, PV systems, and district heating networks. The company continuously optimizes customer assets across multiple electricity markets (Day-Ahead, Intraday, balancing power) to maximize revenue and efficiency while ensuring regulatory compliance. Its modular software suite centers on VK Betriebsoptimierung with add-on modules for simulation and Redispatch 2.0 compliance.
Product overview
VK Energie offers a modular software suite for optimizing energy systems, centered on the VK Betriebsoptimierung (operational optimization) platform that provides AI-powered, around-the-clock optimization of distributed energy assets. Supporting modules include VK Simulation for plant design and planning, and VK Redispatch for regulatory compliance with Redispatch 2.0. The platform integrates with diverse energy technologies including CHP (BHKW), heat pumps, battery storage, PV, solar thermal, district heating networks, waste heat recovery, and industrial self-supply systems, optimizing their combined operation across electricity markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- VK Betriebsoptimierung
- VK Simulation
- VK Redispatch
Quantifiable outcome
- 52 €/MWh additional revenues achieved for combined CHP + large heat pump operation; €171,000 per year; 80 tonnes annual CO₂ reduction in a single customer case
Companies that use VK Energie
Customer profileNamed customers23 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
VK Energie technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature7 records
VK Energie partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Thüga SmartServicecoreThüga SmartService partnered with VK Energie in July 2019 to offer AI-based CHP optimization services to Thüga's partner companies across Germany. VK Energie provides its patented AI-based software and active heat storage management, which Thüga SmartService integrates into its customer offerings. This partnership extends VK Energie's reach to Thüga's network of municipal utilities.
- Bundesverband Wärmepumpe (BWP) e.V.coreVK Energie is a member of the German Heat Pump Association (BWP), which represents the entire value chain for heat pumps and advocates for political, economic, and societal promotion of heat pumps. VK Energie focuses on electricity-price-optimized operation of large heat pumps and participates in research projects such as 'SysMMO – Systemdienliche Wärmewende durch Multi-Market Optimierung von Großwärmepumpen'. VK Energie was Gold Partner of the Deutscher Großwärmepumpen-Kongress 2026.
- Verband der Bayerischen Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (VBEW)minorVK Energie is a member of VBEW, which represents over 400 companies from electricity, gas, heat, and water supply in Bavaria. VK Energie participates in webinars and events organized by VBEW, presenting solutions for CO₂-free heat supply using heat pumps, industrial waste heat, solar thermal, and power-to-heat in existing energy systems.
- Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft (FfE)coreVK Energie is a member of the FfE's Kooperationsforum Großbatteriespeicher (Large Battery Storage Cooperation Forum) and uses FfE's electricity price forecasts for its simulations. VK Energie was also an official sponsor of the FfE Fachtagung 2025. The partnership provides scientific credibility and input for VK Energie's optimization models.
- Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK)coreVK Energie is a member of B.KWK, the German CHP Association. B.KWK president Andreas Rimkus visited VK Energie facilities for an inside look at their collaboration. VK Energie participates in B.KWK conferences and events as exhibitor and speaker.
- Bayern Innovativ GmbHminorVK Energie is a member of Bayern Innovativ and its Cluster Energietechnik, which connects companies in Bavaria for innovation and knowledge transfer. VK Energie participates in Bayern Innovativ events and the Energy Lounge series, presenting case studies such as the Feuchtwangen battery storage project.
- SiZero (Project Partnership)minorVK Energie is a project partner in SiZero, the first major Zero Trust project in the area of critical infrastructure, together with qbound GmbH, Mobitherm, SWW Wunsiedel GmbH, and the University of Bayreuth. The project addresses IT security bridging research and practice.
- 50Hertz, TenneT, FfE (Green Grid Compass)minorVK Energie participated in the launch of the Green Grid Compass, an innovative tool developed by 50Hertz, TenneT, and FfE that brings transparency to the energy economy by providing hourly-resolved data on CO₂ intensity and renewable energy share in the electricity grid. VK Energie presented a use case for the tool.
- Green Hydrogen EsslingencoreVK Energie provides operative management and economic optimization of the complex energy system in Green Hydrogen Esslingen's climate-neutral 'Neue Weststadt' district. VK Energie's optimization software manages an electrolyzer for green hydrogen production and the integrated energy concept. Featured in a Fachartikel in Energie & Management.
- Cluster Energietechnik BayernminorVK Energie is a partner of the bayerischer Cluster Energietechnik, a strong network for the energy industry that connects companies across Bavaria nationally and internationally. VK Energie presented at Cluster Energietechnik events including the KWK-Cluster-Forum 2020.
- FL(EX)PERTEN NetzwerkminorVK Energie is a member of the FL(EX)PERTEN network, which aims at the ecologically sensible conversion of biogas and natural gas CHP plants. VK Energie participates in KWK information days organized by this network.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
VK Energie competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Siemens Energy: Global energy technology OEM with energy management software, grid controls, and DERMS offerings (e.g., Siemens Gridscale X). Reaches the same German utility customers with a broader portfolio including hardware and could acquire or displace niche optimization players like VK Energie.
- Schneider Electric: Global energy management and automation major offering EcoStruxure for power and grid applications. Adjacent incumbent with comparable optimization and dispatch capabilities at enterprise utilities, competing for the same digital transformation budgets at German Stadtwerke.
Direct peers
- Stem Inc: AI-driven energy storage and optimization company offering market participation and dispatch software for distributed energy assets. Comparable on AI-based multi-market optimization and managed service model, though primarily serving North American commercial/industrial and utility customers.
- Fluence Energy: Global battery storage and energy management company with AI-based bidding and optimization software for utility-scale and grid-scale batteries. Overlaps with VK Energie on battery storage optimization (Stadtwerke Feuchtwangen use case) and multi-market dispatch, though at a different scale and geography.
- Energy2market (e2m): German direct marketer and VPP that aggregates and optimizes distributed generation (including CHP) across German electricity markets. Competes with VK Energie for the same municipal utility and industrial customer relationships around multi-market dispatch optimization.
- Lichtblick SE: Hamburg-based energy services and VPP operator managing distributed energy assets in Germany, including CHP and battery flexibility offerings. Comparable as a German-market direct marketer optimizing decentralized energy portfolios across electricity markets.
- Next Kraftwerke: Cologne-based VPP operator and multi-market aggregator optimizing decentralized energy assets across Day-Ahead, Intraday, and balancing markets in Germany. Directly comparable to VK Energie on core multi-market optimization, customer base (Stadtwerke), and asset coverage (CHP, biogas, battery, PV).
Emerging players
- gridX: German energy management software provider focused on smart home, commercial storage, and EV charging optimization. Adjacent peer with overlapping AI-based energy optimization capabilities but primarily building- and EV-oriented rather than utility-scale CHP/district heating.
- Kiwigrid: Dresden-based energy IoT platform offering energy management and market integration for distributed assets. Comparable on the software/optimization layer for German energy market participation, with overlapping use cases in storage and prosumers.
Regional players
- Tiko Energy: Swiss-based VPP aggregator and flexibility platform operating across European markets with multi-market optimization capabilities. Comparable on technology and asset-class coverage but operates primarily outside Germany, making it a regional peer rather than a direct domestic competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
VK Energie social profiles
Digital presenceVK Energie financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VK Energie leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
VK Energie funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VK Energie M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VK Energie
What does VK Energie do?
VK Energie provides AI-based optimization software and managed optimization services for decentralized energy systems in Germany, including combined heat and power (CHP/KWK) plants, heat pumps, battery storage, PV systems, and district heating networks. The company continuously optimizes customer assets across multiple electricity markets (Day-Ahead, Intraday, balancing power) to maximize revenue and efficiency while ensuring regulatory compliance. Its modular software suite centers on VK Betriebsoptimierung with add-on modules for simulation and Redispatch 2.0 compliance.
Is VK Energie a public or private company?
VK Energie is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was VK Energie founded?
VK Energie was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is VK Energie based?
VK Energie is headquartered in München, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does VK Energie make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Betriebsoptimierung (Operations Optimization Services) is the primary driver. The others are simulation & Beratung (Simulation and Consulting).
Who are VK Energie's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Siemens Energy and Schneider Electric. Direct peers are Stem Inc, Fluence Energy, Energy2market (e2m), Lichtblick SE and Next Kraftwerke. Emerging players are gridX and Kiwigrid. Tiko Energy is listed as a regional player.
Does VK Energie have an API?
No public API is recorded for VK Energie.
What industry is VK Energie in?
VK Energie's product category is Energy Optimization Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAFAKAH, Forecasting & AI Optimization for Flexibility (Load/Price/Renewables/SoC), with a secondary code of EUAFAKAG, Market Bidding, Scheduling & Ancillary Services Optimization (Auto-bidder). Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7371.