The energy demand of private households, flexible energy supply with virtual power plants and smart technology for firms - these topics will be surveyed by the recently founded 'Virtual Institute Smart Energy (VISE)' lead by the Münster University and the TH Köln. Firms and research institutes analyse jointly the technical and economic aspects of a digitalised energy world and develop new projects and products.

The virutal institute is a central research platform funded by the European Fond for regional development (EFRE) and was founded on initative of the ministry for economics, innovation, digitilisation and energy of North Rhine-Westphalia. The minister for economic affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart emphasizes: "This project can create opportunities for new business models, services and innovative products, that have an impact beyond North Rhine-Westphalia. North Rhine-Westphalia could be a leader in the process of digital transformation. It is a leading federal land in energy and industry and an excellent research site."