Jan 14, 2026
An idea to promote STEM talent blossomed into an association – Network Energy Talents e. V. was founded
Founding companies (board of trustees) of Network Energy Talents e. V. (from left to right): Sven Behrend (BKW), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Luther (FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg), Lisa Besler (50 Hertz), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Maria Kosse (TUD), Steffen Mellenthin (TenneT Germany), Dr. Thomas Werner (DNV Energy Systems), Dr. Steffen Heine (SachsenNetze)
Science and the energy industry are searching for talents to drive forward the energy transition. To achieve this, the Network Energy Talents (NET) initiative is entering its next phase: From the shared vision of inspiring young people to engage with scientific topics and recruiting them as future specialists who will shape the energy transition, a non-profit association has now emerged. Seven partners from industry and academia across Germany founded Network Energy Talents e. V. on January 13, 2026.
The founding members are: TUD Dresden University of Technology and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg), the electricity transmission system operators 50Hertz and TenneT Germany, the municipal utility company SachsenEnergie with its subsidiary SachsenNetze, as well as BKW Infra Services and DNV Energy Systems SE. Back in June 2024, the partners had already signed a “Letter of Intent” during Dresden’s Science Night – and now the next milestone follows.
The Advisory Board of Network Energy Talents e. V. on the association's goal:
"Graduates in the STEM subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology will play a central role in the success of the energy transition in the future, thereby strengthening Germany as a prime business location. With this in mind, we as an association want to spark early interest in STEM topics among young people and become a source of inspiration for their career orientation. The association will provide a platform for exchange, promote talents, and offer practical educational opportunities.”
The association's board consists of:
- Sven Kretzschmar from SachsenEnergie, Chair
- Wibke Rauh from 50Hertz, Deputy Chair
- Annika Wurster from TenneT Germany, Treasurer
Board of Network Energy Talents e. V. (from left to right): First Chairman Sven Kretzschmar (SachsenEnergie), Deputy Chairwoman Wibke Rauh (50Hertz), Treasurer Annika Wurster (TenneT Germany)
The association hopes to attract further interested parties and members in the future who will work together to promote young engineers.
Non-profit and future-oriented
Network Energy Talents e. V. pursues exclusively non-profit purposes and is committed to strengthening technical professions and engineering education. The association's work focuses on events, workshops, and information formats for knowledge transfer and promoting acceptance of modern energy supply. In addition, cooperation with schools, internships, and career days are to be promoted and established to support the promotion of early-career researchers.
Network Energy Talents e. V. aims to develop joint research projects and practice-oriented study programs to connect academia and industry as well as to qualify and support STEM talents. This will also involve setting up scholarships, fellowships, and summer schools. International exchange with experts and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge in mentoring programs are also essential for the association.
First project: Mentoring program for students
A first project has already been successfully launched: The NET mentoring program aims to excite students about the energy industry at an early stage and support them as they begin their studies. As part of the study skills module at TUD, panel discussions are held for first-year students in the electrical engineering, mechatronics, and renewable energies degree programs. The next event is scheduled for January 22, 2026, and will offer practical insights into career paths, personal strategies for overcoming academic hurdles, and inspiration for career prospects in the energy industry.
For more information about the association, its members, goals, and upcoming events, please visit the following link: https://energytalents.net/