iFE - Institut für Energieforschung (Institute for Energy Research)

What iFE - Institut für Energieforschung (Institute for Energy Research) does

iFE - Institut für Energieforschung (Institute for Energy Research) is an interdisciplinary applied research institute embedded within the Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe (TH OWL), founded in 2017 as the first such institute at the university. Headquartered in Lemgo, Germany with a team of 8, iFE develops technologies and solution approaches for efficient, networked, and innovative energy systems across three research fields: Quartiere (urban districts/communities), Mobilität (mobility), and Industrie (industry). Applied outputs to date include named projects such as DC INDUSTRIE, Smart Country Storage, energy-efficient intralogistics, and the AuToRail OWL automated road-rail switching project.

iFE's underlying technology stack centers on applied energy systems engineering, grid integration (DC industrial grids), stationary storage, energy-efficient industrial automation, and increasingly automated transport systems, supported by doctorate programs and a scientific advisory board (Beirat). The institute leverages a deep regional industrial cluster in Ostwestfalen-Lippe and an international partner network exceeding 100 organizations across Fraunhofer institutes, leading European technical universities, and major industrial firms.

The business model is non-commercial: as a publicly-funded university research institute, iFE operates on public research grants and project-based funding rather than product revenue, distributing its research output through collaborative partnerships, case studies, publications, and events (e.g., FJRG Tagung, Makeathon Future Energies) rather than through a commercial sales motion.

Name

iFE - Institut für Energieforschung (Institute for Energy Research)

Legal name

Institut für Energieforschung (iFE)

Website

https://ife-owl.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

iFE is an interdisciplinary university research institute at TH OWL in Lemgo, Germany, founded in 2017, developing applied energy system technologies for urban districts, mobility, and industry through a 100+ partner network of Fraunhofer institutes, universities, and industrial firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Research Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Engineering Services (54133), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Performance Testing & Acceptance/Condition Assessments (Baseline, Post-Repair) (EUAEAKAK)

Keywords

• Applied energy research
• Energy system integration
• Industrial energy efficiency
• Mobility energy solutions
• University research institute

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

iFE is a university research institute that develops technologies and solution approaches for efficient, networked, and innovative energy systems across three research fields: urban districts (Quartiere), mobility, and industry. The institute conducts applied research projects such as DC INDUSTRIE, Smart Country Storage, AuToRail OWL, and energy-efficient intralogistics, transferring results into real products and processes in collaboration with regional industry partners.

Product overview

iFE is a research institute at TH OWL (Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe) founded in 2017, conducting applied research in energy systems for three main fields: Quartiere (districts/communities), Mobilität (mobility), and Industrie (industry). The institute develops technologies and solution approaches for efficient, networked, and innovative energy systems. It functions as an interdisciplinary research institution rather than a product company, partnering with industry and public institutions in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region of Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Applied Energy Research - Quartiere (Urban Districts) Applied research on efficient, networked, and innovative energy systems for urban districts and neighborhoods, addressing energy transition challenges at the community level. Targeted at public institutions, municipalities, and industrial partners in the OWL region.
• Applied Energy Research - Mobilität (Mobility) Applied research on energy systems for mobility applications, including sustainable mobility solutions and the AuToRail OWL automated road-rail switching system project. Targeted at automotive manufacturers, transport authorities, and mobility technology partners.
• Applied Energy Research - Industrie (Industry) Applied research on energy systems for industrial applications, including projects such as DC INDUSTRIE and energy-efficient intralogistics that translate into real products and processes. Targeted at industrial manufacturers, automation companies, and technology firms.
• Doctorate Program (Promotionen) Doctoral research positions and academic supervision at TH OWL, supporting PhD candidates working on energy system research projects. Targeted at doctoral candidates with technical or socioeconomic backgrounds seeking academic research careers.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

60 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bosch Rexroth AGminorOthersAutomation and drive technology company partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• BMW AGminorOthersAutomotive manufacturer listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Volkswagen AGminorOthersAutomotive manufacturer listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Daimler AGminorOthersAutomotive manufacturer listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner from the Fraunhofer Society, Germany's leading applied research organization. Deep collaboration on energy research projects.
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Windenergiesysteme (IWES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, partner in wind energy research collaborations.
• Fraunhofer IPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation, partner in manufacturing and automation research.
• Fraunhofer IOSB-INAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation, campus in Lemgo.
• Fraunhofer IEMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer Institute for Mechatronics Systems Design, research partner in engineering systems.
• Universität KasselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in collaborative research projects.
• Leibniz Universität HannovercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in research collaborations.
• RWTH AachencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading technical university partner in joint research initiatives.
• Universität PaderborncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional university partner in research collaborations.
• Technische Universität BraunschweigcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university partner in research collaborations.
• Universität StuttgartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university partner in research collaborations.
• Technische Universität WienminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university in Vienna partner in research collaborations.
• Berner FachhochschuleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss university of applied sciences partner in international research.
• Fachhochschule LaplandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish university of applied sciences partner in international research.
• Aristoteles-Universität ThessalonikiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreek university partner in international research collaborations.
• Universität BelgradminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSerbian university partner in international research collaborations.
• Technische Universität KaunasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLithuanian technical university partner in international research.
• Universität Architektur, Tiefbau und Geodäsie (UACG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBulgarian university partner in research collaborations.
• INESC TECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese research institute partner in international research collaborations.
• Joint Research CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Joint Research Centre partner in European research initiatives.
• Institut für industrielle Informationstechnik (inIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional institute partner at TH OWL, collaborating on industrial information technology research.
• Hochschule Bielefeld (HSBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSBI is the consortium lead for the AuToRail OWL project. iFE serves as a project partner, contributing expertise in system architecture and vehicle safety.
• Exzellenzcluster Kognitive Interaktionstechnologie (CITEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCluster of Excellence at University of Bielefeld, partner in cognitive interaction technology research.
• Siemens AGminorOthersTechnology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• ABB DeutschlandminorOthersTechnology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Infineon Technologies AGminorOthersSemiconductor company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• SMA Solar TechnologyminorOthersSolar technology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• SMA Solar TechnologyminorOthersSolar technology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• WestfalenWind Strom GmbHminorOthersWind energy company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Eaton Electric GmbHminorOthersPower management company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• PHOENIX CONTACT GmbHminorOthersIndustrial automation company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Lenze SEminorOthersDrive and automation technology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• KEB Automation KGminorOthersAutomation company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• KEBAminorOthersAutomation company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Danfoss GmbHminorOthersEngineering company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Robert Bosch GmbHminorOthersTechnology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• dSPACEminorOthersSimulation and testing solutions company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• DMG MORIminorOthersMachine tool manufacturer listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• HOMAGminorOthersWoodworking machinery manufacturer listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• KHS GmbHminorOthersPackaging systems company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Baumüller GmbHminorOthersDrive and automation company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• WittensteinminorOthersPrecision motion technology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• HartingminorOthersIndustrial connectivity technology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• U.I. Lapp GmbHminorOthersCables and connectors company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• PilzminorOthersAutomation safety company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• AVL Software and Functions GmbHminorOthersAutomotive software company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KGminorOthersIndustrial connectivity company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Stiebel EltronminorOthersEnergy technology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Waterkotte GmbHminorOthersHeat pump manufacturer listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• DB SystemtechnikminorOthersRailway technology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• GKN plcminorOthersAutomotive and aerospace company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Efacec Power SolutionsminorOthersPower solutions company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Wallbe GmbHminorOthersCharging infrastructure company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Power Plus Communications AG (PPC)minorOthersCommunication technology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• 2GminorOthersEnergy technology company listed as a partner of iFE. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Mehr

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE): Germany's largest solar energy research institute, part of the Fraunhofer Society, working across photovoltaics, heating/cooling, and integrated energy systems. Comparable to iFE in applied energy R&D and industry collaboration, especially on building/district energy integration.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE): Fraunhofer IEE is a leading German applied research institute focused on energy economics and energy system technology, working on grid integration, storage, and sector coupling. Directly comparable to iFE in mandate (applied energy systems research) and funding model (public R&D grants), but at substantially larger scale.
• Technologiezentrum Energie (TZE) at Hochschule Landshut: Applied energy research center embedded in a Bavarian university of applied sciences, focused on energy efficiency, mobility, and industrial energy systems. Closely comparable to iFE in organizational model (university-based, regional, applied research across districts/mobility/industry).
• Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie: Independent German research institute focused on sustainability, climate, and energy transition research with a strong interdisciplinary and socioeconomic lens. Comparable to iFE in combining technical energy research with socioeconomic analysis and policy advisory.
• Forschungszentrum Jülich — Institut für Energie- und Klimaforschung (IEK): Large German national research center with multiple IEK institutes covering electrochemical energy conversion, nuclear safety, and energy systems. Comparable to iFE in conducting applied energy systems research, though operating at significantly greater scale and as part of a national lab.
• Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) Norway: Norwegian national energy research institute working across renewables, energy systems, and industrial decarbonization. Comparable to iFE in mandate and interdisciplinary applied research approach, though larger in scale and scope.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW Berlin): Major German economic research institute with substantial energy economics and Energiewende policy work. Comparable to iFE in interdisciplinary socioeconomic + energy research, though broader in mandate covering all economic policy domains.
• Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) — Institut für Vernetzte Energiesysteme: DLR's Institute for Networked Energy Systems focuses on integrated energy system modeling and sector coupling. Comparable to iFE in district-level and networked energy systems research, with significantly larger scale and federal mandate.

Others

• TÜV SÜD Energietechnik: Major German testing, inspection, and certification provider with deep energy infrastructure expertise. Comparable to iFE's testing/evaluation activities around energy systems compliance, though operating as a commercial TIC provider rather than a research institute.

Regional players

• Energietechnologisches Forschungszentrum (ETZ) of Niederösterreich: Austrian energy technology research cluster partnering universities and industry on energy systems, buildings, and mobility. Comparable to iFE in interdisciplinary applied energy research and industry collaboration, but operating primarily in the Austrian market rather than Germany.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institut-f%C3%BCr-engerieforschung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about iFE - Institut für Energieforschung (Institute for Energy Research)