06/2026 Presentation of the STORE Project at the EHI Working Group Climate + Energy in Düsseldorf

Presentation of the STORE Project at the EHI Working Group Climate + Energy in Düsseldorf

On 30 June 2026, we had the opportunity to present the STORE research project at the EHI Working Group Climate + Energy at the EUREF Campus in Düsseldorf. The working group brought together experts from the retail sector, industry, and research to discuss current challenges and potential solutions related to energy efficiency, climate action, and the sustainable transformation of retail properties.

During the “Policy & Research” session, Jiahe Chu from the Institute of New Energy Systems (InES) at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt presented the STORE project and our current research activities. The presentation focused on how artificial intelligence can be used for intelligent energy optimization in the retail sector, with particular emphasis on supermarkets and the growing integration of charging infrastructure for electric mobility.

Supermarkets are particularly energy-intensive sites due to refrigeration, lighting, building services, and other electrical loads. At the same time, photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and EV charging infrastructure create new opportunities as well as additional challenges for energy management. STORE investigates how these different components can be intelligently interconnected and how energy flows can be optimized using data-driven and AI-based methods.

The EHI Working Group provided an excellent setting to discuss our research approaches with representatives from industry and practice. In addition to the presentation of STORE, the agenda covered topics such as the transition to sustainable heating solutions in existing buildings, sustainable management of existing properties, and current climate and energy policy developments relevant to the retail sector. A campus tour, including insights into the EUREF Campus energy center, complemented the professional exchange.

For STORE, the event was a valuable opportunity to engage directly with stakeholders from the retail sector, gain insights into current practical challenges, and gather new perspectives for the further development of our project.

We would like to thank the EHI Retail Institute and all participants for the open exchange, engaging discussions, and valuable insights.