Optimizing heating systems instead of wasting energy: That was E-world 2026
This year's E-world energy & water 2026 once again provided ample opportunity for exchange with stakeholders from the energy and housing industries. From February 10 to 12, five of our colleagues were on site at the KUGU booth in Essen.
What drives the industry
The focus was on specific questions from everyday operations: How can energy consumption be reduced without converting existing buildings? How can digitalization be used reliably and economically in boiler rooms? Which solutions are already scalable today? How can you maintain an overview of increasingly complex energy systems?
Our answer: the KUGU Energy Suite.
With the two products EOS and VIS, a consistent digital approach is created, from optimization during operation to visualization and early fault detection. The KUGU savings guarantee of 12% ensures economic attractiveness.
Optimization that works in everyday life
KUGU EOS is the smart energy optimization system. The AI-supported solution controls heating systems automatically and according to demand. Instead of rigid heating curves, EOS works on a data-based basis, continuously adapting to weather, usage, and system behavior, and realizing savings potential directly during operation.
EOS is complemented by KUGU VIS, the digital control center: The visual information system displays plant statuses, consumption, and efficiency indicators in real time. For operators, this means transparency instead of gut feelings, early warnings instead of costly emergencies, and a reliable data basis for operational and strategic decisions.
Designed for everything from optimization to billing
What particularly impressed many visitors was the holistic approach. With our submetering solution KUGU AbSys, the established billing system for the housing industry, we close the circle from technical optimization to legally compliant billing. Over 500,000 units are billed with AbSys every year – clear proof that our solutions not only work, but also scale.
Why the Innovation Area was the perfect fit
The Innovation Area was the right place for us because it's less about show and more about feasibility. We sensed this attitude in many conversations: solutions must work in existing systems, integrate cleanly, and show results quickly—without turning it into a months-long project. For us, this was the perfect setting to show what KUGU stands for: optimization as an ongoing process, not a one-time adjustment.
“The great thing about E-world is that it brings together the energy and real estate industries—and that's exactly where KUGU comes in,” says our co-founder and CEO Christopher von Gumppenberg. "KUGU brings a level of digital optimization to the boiler room that continuously realizes savings potential without placing additional demands on teams in their day-to-day work. Our claim is clear: good optimization should not be noticeable—except through lower costs on the bill."
Our conclusion after E-world 2026
E-world was a strong start to the year and clearly showed where things are headed in 2026:
Economic efficiency wins. Operations become an adjustment factor. Scaling wins.
The focus is shifting noticeably from “we should” to “we are now implementing.” Our main takeaway from Essen is that the market wants solutions that are scalable, economical, and that don't create more work in everyday life, but rather reduce it.
