DLR optimises energy procurement – flexible and future-oriented
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On 1 January 2026, we switched to a new, market-based model for our energy procurement. Electricity will now be purchased at exchange prices through a new supplier contract with the utility company Städtische Werke Magdeburg (SWM) – based on the EPEX Spot Day-Ahead price of the European Energy Exchange (EEX). For DLR, this change marks an important step towards a flexible and transparent energy supply that strategically leverages opportunities in the energy market.
While the sites supplied by SWM will continue to use renewable energy sources, the key innovation lies in the variable pricing and procurement model. Instead of a fixed annual price, future energy costs will be based on actual market prices, which can fluctuate significantly throughout the day – from high peaks to negative prices. In 2025 alone, there were 576 hours with negative electricity prices, predominantly between 10:00 and 17:00. This procurement model brings economic benefits: an analysis of the years 2021 to 2025 revealed that we could have saved an average of over two million euros per year.
DLR, with data from Energy-Charts, ENTSO-E, EPEX SPOT
In the research landscape, we are going one step further. SWM is operating a sub-balancing group for DLR that incorporates electricity from our wind turbines and photovoltaic systems and makes it available to other DLR locations. Electricity generated at DLR sites with high surpluses – such as Krummendeich or, in future, Cochstedt – will now be used where it is needed at any given moment. This will allow us to more consciously regulate our energy consumption and benefit from favourable market phases – particularly between March and September when solar power availability is especially high and prices drop sharply as a result.
In addition, energy storage systems are being installed at our larger sites. These will help smooth consumption peaks and use energy stored during the day in the evening hours. As a result, we will spend less on externally sourced electricity and our energy management will become more flexible.
These measures are laying the foundation for an intelligent, cost-effective and sustainable energy supply system at DLR that builds on resourcefulness, market transparency and future-proof technologies.