Six well-known IT service providers in the energy industry have joined forces under the new umbrella brand “Kraftwerk Energy Software Holding” to pool their expertise and develop software solutions to transform the energy sector. The newly formed technology group set up shop last year in Halle (Saale), Germany.
The name “Kraftwerk” – German for “power plant” – says it all: the aim is to power the energy transition. “Our Kraftwerk software products are specifically designed for small and mid-sized utilities, water and heating providers, and charging infrastructure operators,” says CEO Andreas Weber. “These companies in particular are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the pace of AI development and digital business processes while also ensuring cybersecurity at the same time. “While the industry’s largest players are building their own IT platforms, Kraftwerk aims to be a trusted digitalization partner to small and mid-sized utilities, helping them adapt to technological change and remain competitive.”
Strategic location with university partnerships
Established just a year ago, Kraftwerk Software Holding GmbH brings together the IT providers msu solutions GmbH, iS Software GmbH, eins+null GmbH, signion GmbH, S&P Solutions GmbH and the e-mobility brand m8mit mobility GmbH. The group moved its headquarters from Regensburg to Halle (Saale) at the end of 2024. “We chose this central German location because we see enormous development potential for our group here,” says Andreas Weber. “Digitalization is a core component of the energy transition – and that calls for innovation. Halle offers strategic advantages in this regard, especially given its proximity to institutions like Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, the universities of applied sciences in Anhalt and Merseburg, and Leipzig University of Applied Sciences. These connections create countless synergies.” Andreas Weber is no stranger to the region. Since 2018 he’s served as managing director of msu solutions, a company founded over 20 years ago and based at the TGZ – the technology and startup center at Halle’s Weinberg Campus Technology Park. “Kraftwerk” has established its operation there too.
Kraftwerk draws on deep industry experience
Kraftwerk Energy Software benefits from the long-standing, hands-on experience of its member companies: msu solutions offers bundled services for municipal utilities and water management association; iS Software develops software for the energy and water sectors; m8mit is a leading billing solutions provider for e-mobility; eins+null creates software for electricity and gas providers; signion delivers a strategic asset management platform. S&P Solutions develops and operates the ASS/ISS technical information system, which supports network and plant operations and meter management.
Together under one brand, Kraftwerk is now one of Germany’s largest providers of industry-specific software, with around 350 specialists serving more than 500 energy-sector clients and 200 charging providers across Europe. Its solutions cover the entire value chain, from procurement to sales – including billing, finance and accounting, asset management and project management. Andreas Weber puts the company’s goal in figurative terms: the name “Kraftwerk” is to become established as “the operating system of the energy transition”. As he puts it: “Different technology platforms and parallel solutions for the same use cases will no longer be competitive given the rapid pace of technological development.”
Cutting-edge software for mid-sized utilities
In February, the Kraftwerk Group unveiled its new platform solution at E-world in Essen – Europe’s largest energy trade fair. “Our platform is built on Microsoft Business Central and integrates commercial, strategic and technical processes across the utility sector,” explains Weber. “It uses AI and receives regular automatic updates to keep it cutting edge. With all key modules seamlessly integrated, the platform delivers maximum efficiency and helps utilities stay competitive.” Designed for the cloud, he says, the software allows for flexible operations and quick responses to constantly changing regulatory requirements. Here he mentions the implementation of dynamic pricing: since the beginning of this year, all energy providers have been required to offer such tariffs. In other words, customers have to be given the opportunity to benefit from low electricity prices on the exchange. “The Kraftwerk Software Group has developed a solution to manage dynamic tariffs and help customers optimize their power consumption,” says Andreas Weber, adding: “We’re now gearing up to become the technology leader for mid-sized municipal utilities. Our aim is to offer this target group the most advanced and powerful industry software on the market.”
Copy: Kathrain Graubaum
Contact:
Stefan Lallecke
Head of Marketing, Kraftwerk Energy Software Holding GmbH
Blücherstraße 24
D-06120 Halle (Saale)
Phone: +49 (345) 27 99 04-0;
E-mail: stefan.lallecke@msu-solutions.de
Photos (all © K+S Studios GmbH):
Andreas Weber is the CEO of Kraftwerk Software Holding GmbH and msu solutions GmbH.
Sascha Reif is the CEO of msu solutions GmbH and m8mit mobility GmbH.
The Kraftwerk Group presented its new platform solution for the first time at E-world in Essen.
mt 9 production lines.