INNOVATIONS “MADE IN GERMANY”
TRUST MAKES NEW VENTURES POSSIBLE
AN INTERVIEW WITH HANS-HERMANN JUNGE, BRANCH MANAGER FOR IBM IN MUNICH, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE “SMARTER BUILDINGS” INITIATIVE.
The goal of “Smarter Buildings” is to make buildings more efficient. IBM and Bilfinger Berger are jointly pursuing this vision. Is this the start of a beautiful friendship?
Well, it’s an extremely innovative joint project, and it’s a lot of fun. Together we aim to conquer the market.
Such close cooperation between two large companies is unusual. Is this a sign of how the economy will work in the future?
Yes, even global players are no longer able to solve the questions of the future on their own. We need partnerships. Which in turn means confidence and trust: who can do what, and do it better? Each adds its own contribution to the overall mosaic.
Which contributions are these?
IBM analyzes highly complex problems and develops solutions and software to match. Bilfinger Berger manages properties and knows how they can be tweaked, say, to improve energy efficiency. So IBM and Bilfinger Berger complement one another.
Have you already received joint orders for smart buildings?
Yes, we have just reached an agreement with MTU Aero Engines in Munich. I am confident that there will be a rapidly growing demand in Germany. The change in energy policy is happening, switching from nuclear power to renewables and decentralized supplies, and not just on paper. Energy costs will continue to rise. Which means that energy will become far more important as a competitive factor.
So you see strong prospects?
We are forecasting that in the next five years turnover in “Smarter Buildings” in Germany will be as much as a billion euros. The primary issue in future will be how to use energy most efficiently in the course of the day. We see a market for German innovations that will be replicated in the global economy.
Hans-Hermann Junge,,
IBM Branch Manager in Munich, is responsible for the “Smarter Buildings” initiative.
Smarter planet
Growing up together
Smarter production plant
