Electro
The electrical industry is one of the industries in Berlin with the highest turnover and number of workers. In addition to large companies, numerous medium-sized industrial companies in the electrical sector are active in Berlin.
A large number of innovative processes and intelligent products have been developed in the capital region in recent years, in such fields as microelectronics, automation, traffic technology, and consumer electronics. The capital has become known as a think tank for the electrical industry thanks to the proximity and interaction between business and research as well as the diverse range of companies based here.
Research and education: the crucial foundation
Berlin is one of the most attractive university cities in Germany. Around 1,300 students are enrolled in the field of electrical engineering at TU Berlin alone. Berliner Hochschule für Technik had more than 1,400 students enrolled in electrical engineering, mechatronics, and optometry department in the 2020-21 winter semester. Due to the numerous university research institutions and highly specialised institutes in the city, a large number of students and researchers are drawn to the capital region every year.
Why Berlin?
„Kieback&Peter is a pioneer in building automation. With individual and innovative solutions, we stand for efficiency, security, and comfort in buildings. We are at home all over the world, but our roots are in Berlin, where our company history began in 1927. In Berlin, new meets old, tradition meets start-up. These contrasts create a culture of innovation that drives us to develop smart, networked and sustainable building solutions every day.“
Why Berlin?
„Fraunhofer IZM is a global leader in the miniaturization and highly reliable integration of microelectronics. In research, it can build on the extraordinary conditions that Berlin offers. The powerful and unique network we have in Berlin is based on the diverse university and non-university activities up to and including the Microelectronics Germany Research Factory.“
Future orientation and innovation
Energy and environmental technologies have long been an integral part of Berlin's electrical industry. Many companies such as Siemens AG and GE PowerConversion have for years made a decisive contribution to the field of renewable energies with innovative technologies in such fields as power-to-X and wind power. The potential of electromobility is also increasingly being exploited in the capital region. In the field of electromobility, the focus is on topics such as power storage (smart grids), driving (mobility), charging (infrastructure), and networking (Nexus).
Leading international trade fairs such as IFA and Innotrans draw global audiences to the capital region. The annual congresses of the Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V. (ZVEI) and VDE Berlin-Brandenburg regularly offer people involved in the electrical industry a platform for networking and learning about current trends and developments.
Selection of scientific institutions
- TU Berlin, Department of Energy and Automation Technology
www.eecs.tu-berlin.de/menue/einrichtungen/institute/iea - TU Berlin, Department of Telecommunication Systems
www.eecs.tu-berlin.de/menue/einrichtungen/institute/its - TU Berlin, Electromobility research network
www.e-mobility.tu-berlin.de - Berliner Hochschule für Technik, Department VII – Electrical engineering, Mechatronics, Optometry
www.bht-berlin.de/vii/ - GFaI Society for the Promotion of Applied Computer Science
www.gfai.de
Selection of networks, initiatives and associations
VDE - Elektrotechnischer Verein (ETV) e.V. District Association Berlin-Brandenburg within VDE
The VDE is one of the large European associations for sectors and professions of electrical engineering and information technology, an international expert platform for science, standardization and product testing – interdisciplinary, closely interwoven and unique in the world. The VDE Elektrotechnischer Verein ETV) e.V. is the district level association for Berlin and Brandenburg within the VDE and can be traced back to the foundation of the first electrotechnical association of the world by Werner von Siemens and Heinrich von Stephan in 1879.
www.vde.com
Association of German Engineers, District Association Berlin-Brandenburg
The VDI Association of German Engineers is the spokesperson of engineers and technology. With its approximately 140,000 members nationwide, the VDI is Europe’s largest technical and scientific association. The district association (BV) Berlin-Brandenburg is one of the 45 district associations of VDI. In its region, it is responsible for the support of currently around 6,000 members and everyone interested in technology.
www.vdi-bb.de
AMA Association for Sensor and Measurement
The AMA Association for Sensor and Measurement is the point of contact and advocacy for everyone dealing with sensor and measurement technology for physical, chemical, climatic and other measured quantities. With its detailed trade directory, the AMA provides an overview of offers in sensors, measurement and testing technologies.
www.ama-sensorik.de
ZVEI - Central Association of the Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry - Division Berlin
The ZVEI is one of Germany’s most important industry associations. It represents the interests of a high-tech sector with a wide spectrum and a very dynamic product portfolio. The Berlin division of the ZVEI represents the interests and the expertise of companies of the electrical industry in the capital region Berlin-Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern towards regional politics, institutions and organizations.
www.zvei.org
Technologiekreis Adlershof e.V.
The Technologiekreis Adlershof e.V. is an interest group and advocacy for the technology-oriented enterprises located at the science, business and media location Adlershof.
www.tk-adlershof.de (in German only)
ME-Netzwerk - Network of the Metal and Electrical Industry
The ME-Network is a platform for the information and experience exchange between the companies of the metal and electrical industry in Berlin and Brandenburg. The ME-Network is an initiative of the Association of the Metal and Electrical Industry in Berlin and Brandenburg (VME). It has been initiated in 2007 within the scope of the cluster strategy of the state of Brandenburg.
www.me-netzwerk.de (in German only)
Association of the Metal and Electrical Industry in Berlin and Brandenburg
The Association of the Metal and Electrical Industry in Berlin and Brandenburg (VME) is the voluntary and solidary consolidation of companies of the largest industry sector in the common economic space Berlin-Brandenburg. Its members belong to the following sectors: automobile industry and manufacture of railway locomotives and rolling stock, mechanical and plant engineering, energy technology, medical technology, electrical engineering and electronics, aerospace industry, metalworking and processing, fine mechanics and photonics.
www.vme-net.de (in German only)
Association of Electronic Design (FED)
The FED is a professional association for design, fabrication of printed circuit boards and components. The FED sees its mission and duty in significantly contributing to the competitiveness of the electrical industry by offering professional education and further training, by providing practical IPC guidelines and promoting experience exchange.
www.fed.de (in German only)
Berlin Electrical Guild
(Elektro-Innung Berlin)
The Berlin Electrical Guild represents the shared interests of roughly 800 member firms.
The organization belongs to the Central Association of Electrical and Information Technology Contractors in Germany (ZVEH).
In its capacity as employers association, Berlin Electrical Guild is responsible for concluding collective bargaining agreements. It also belongs to the Confederation of Employers and Business Associations of Berlin and Brandenburg (uvb).
www.elektroinnungberlin.de (in German only)
Federal Union of Electrical Wholesalers
(Bundesverband des Elektro-Großhandels e.V., VEG)
VEG is the professional association for electrical wholesalers in Germany. Its mandate is to protect, advocate and promote the various commercial and non-commercial interests of its members.
veg.de (in German only)
Selection of company builders, incubators, accelerators, and labs
E.ON agile
E.ON agile is an open innovation center that promotes energy-related ideas both internally and externally in order to develop competitive business models.
Forschungsfabrik Mikroelektronik Deutschland (FMD)
The micro-electronics research factory is one of the largest cross-location R&D associations for micro- and nanoelectronics in Europe. Its FMD-Space allows innovative product ideas to gain access to the networked technology expertise among its members.
hub:raum
hub:raum is Deutsche Telekom's technology incubator. By bringing together start-ups and the strength of Deutsche Telekom, hub:raum promotes the transfer of innovation and creates business opportunities for both sides.
Motion.Lab Berlin
MotionLab.Berlin offers hardware-oriented startups prototyping space in a large production hall in Treptow-Köpenick to promote creative synergies.
WATTx
WATTx is a venture builder focused on shaping new and rapidly developing industries.