Ecocoach

Digital solution integrates energy management with building automation

The case project for which Swiss tech company Ecocoach developed and launched its new digital solution is spectacular. The new 50-unit Mättivor smart complex development near Zurich, situated on a slope with a magnificent view of the mountains, hosts a 260 kWh battery system, 20 EV charging stations, and standard smart home functionality. Ecocoach developed a unique software solution to integrate energy management with building automation in a way that facilitates easy setup and programming for installers. With this innovative approach, they convinced the jury to include them in the group of the five Megawatt winners this year.

Ecocoach’s software itself was inspired during the planning and construction of the new Swiss settlement. For housing estates, the digital connection of smart energy equipment and their scaling has historically required a high degree of programming knowledge and effort. Ecocoach simplifies the challenge with its digital solution, featuring a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows the system to be set up via drag and drop. The company says that their comprehensive solutions integrate all relevant smart energy technologies, including the automation of all relevant building components, such as lights, blinds, heating, and air conditioning.

Once set up, the graphically supported installation compiles the program for the building. The code can be copy, pasted, and adapted for other building units. Even the consumption of power, heat, water, and gas can be grasped by the integrated smart meter and used as basis for analysis and invoicing.

Jury Comment

Florian Mayr: “Highly relevant as it facilitates the trend towards prosumership and will allow a broader spectrum of providers to offer integrated building energy systems.”

Jurors

Xavier Daval | CEO, kiloWattsol

Xavier Daval is an international solar and storage expert, and the CEO of French solar technical advisory firm kiloWattsol SAS, which he founded in 2007. Daval is an electrical engineer and the former EMEA director of a NYSE-listed manufacturer in the electronics industry. He is also the vice president of French renewable energy association Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables-SER, the chair of its solar commission SER-SOLER, and the director of the Global Solar Council (GSC).

James Frith | Head of Energy Storage, Bloomberg NEF

James Frith spearheads the energy storage team at BloombergNEF. He leads the company’s coverage on energy storage technologies and the lithium battery supply chain to provide insights on technology, markets, policies, and regulation. He leverages his background in battery research to provide key insights into the chemistries, applications, and markets for lithium-ion batteries.

Mark Higgins | COO, Strategen

Mark Higgins is the COO of Strategen, a professional services firm focused on market development for a decarbonized grid. Higgins also serves on the board of the Vehicle-Grid Integration Council, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the role of smart EV charging. His past experience includes serving as the director of utility west at SunEdison, vice president of finance for Hu Honua Bioenergy, and Pacific Gas & Electric’s lead for key policy areas, including interconnection and transmission planning.

Julian Jansen | Senior Market Analyst - Solar & Energy Storage, IHS Markit Technology

Julian Jansen is a research manager at IHS Markit Technology, leading the group’s global research on stationary energy storage to provide deep insights on the key value drivers and emerging business models accelerating storage deployment across Europe and North America. Jansen also delivers strategic advice for bespoke projects on a range of new energy technologies.

Florian Mayr | Partner, Apricum

Florian Mayr is a partner at Apricum, where he provides expertise on energy storage, renewables, and e-mobility. Mayr supports companies around the world to advance clean technologies by providing counsel for strategy and transactions in the sector. Prior to joining Apricum, Mayr spent eight years in senior positions at McKinsey & Company and German utility RWE.

Nina Munzke | Teamleader Stationary Energy Storage Systems, Karlsruhe institute of Technology

Nina Munzke has worked at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, serving as the team leader of “Systems Control and Analysis” since 2012. At the KIT Electrotechnical Institute, her focus is on energy storage systems. Munzke has extensive experience in the field of dimensioning and simulation, in addition to developing intelligent system controls for stationary storage systems. She is also an expert in the evaluation of the performance of stationary storage systems.