E.ON offers €1m for research into smart homes

Energy company E.ON is continuing its research grant program, launched in 2007, with a focus on smart homes in the coming year.

E.ON is offering a total of €1 million for research with the theme “Smart home: A new customer relationship with energy.” It’s seeking research project proposals looking at how smart homes can integrate systems for energy supply, home appliances, mobility, security and consumer electronics.

The company is already engaged in a number of pilots related to smart homes. It is testing new kinds of digital grid systems, developing and marketing recharging systems for electric cars and working with partners like Deutsche Telekom on a common technical platform for new products.

E.ON aims to back up these activities with further scientific research supported through its grant program. Its goal is to identify the economic potential the smart-home trend offers for international energy companies like E.ON.

“We regard the research initiative not only as a means of promoting science and research,” said Urban Keussen, who is responsible for Technology & Innovation at E.ON. “We also expect it to provide important external stimuli for the development of new business areas.”

Proposals for research must be submitted by Nov. 30, with projects to be completed within one year.

In previous years, E.ON research grants have focused on energy storage, the application of nanotechnology in the energy business and heat storage for concentrated solar power.