In the western part of Leipzig, thousands of solar collectors are now being used not to generate electricity, but to produce heat. The new solar thermal plant, “Solarthermie Leipzig West”, feeds hot water directly into the city’s district heating network. After an initial testing phase, the system has now entered continuous operation. With more than 65,000 square meters of collector area, the project is considered the largest solar thermal plant of its kind in Germany and one of the largest worldwide connected to a district heating system.

Tire wear is one of the largest sources of microplastics in the environment, yet it has long remained difficult to measure accurately under real-world conditions. Project KI-RAM is changing that. By combining smart sensor technology with artificial intelligence, the initiative enables continuous monitoring of tire abrasion directly during vehicle operation. Among the project partners is DENKweit an startup alumni of the SpinLab. Together with research institutions and industry partners, the company contributes advanced data analytics and AI expertise to help make tire wear measurable, predictable, and ultimately reducible.

At the former coal power site in Boxberg, Saxony, energy company LEAG is preparing to build one of Germany’s largest battery storage facilities. The project, called GigaBattery Boxberg 400, will cover roughly six hectares, an area where cooling towers once stood before their demolition last year. The storage system is designed to deliver 400 megawatts of power and hold up to 1,600 megawatt-hours of electricity, enough to supply around 640,000 households for a few hours.

The role of AI is increasing in every sector. One of them is road maintenance. At HTWK Leipzig and FTZ Leipzig, geotechnical specialists and electrical engineers are developing an AI-driven sensor system designed to monitor real traffic loads and support the prediction of road renovation needs. 

Where excavators once mined coal, Lake Hainer near Leipzig now stretches across the landscape. But the lake is not only known for relaxation and idyllic nature, it also represents an important step forward in the energy transition: since 2024, an aquathermal plant has been supplying the harbor village of Hain with climate-neutral heating and cooling.

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) has officially selected the cities of Leipzig and Landau in der Pfalz as the first pilot regions for the national research project AIAMO – Artificial Intelligence And MObility. The project aims to develop and test innovative, AI-based mobility solutions to create more efficient and environmentally friendly urban transport systems.

The joined development of the LipoAlly app between Pronova BKK and LipoCheck marks a significant milestone in personalized healthcare. This collaboration, funded under the European Union’s EDIH initiative, set out to improve the quality of life for lipedema patients through an user-centric digital solution.

On 19 September 2024, the foundation was laid for the world's largest wind turbine in Schipkau near Brandenburg. This lighthouse project was initiated by the Leipzig -based agency "Agentur für Sprung-Innovationen" (SPRIND). This turbine is set to reach a height of 400 meters, surpassing the current tallest wind turbine at 240 meters. The idea originated from Horst Bendix, a visionary engineer who passed away in Leipzig last summer at the age of 93. Despite his passing, his groundbreaking idea is now being brought to life.

In the fields of construction and intralogistics, where precision and efficiency are essential, the integration of new technology has the potential to transform operations. This article explores a recent collaborative initiative involving AWM Budownictwo S.A., K2 Storage Systems, and the SpinLab startup Hustro, specializing in construction management software. Supported by EDIH Saxony, this project exemplifies a strategic partnership aimed at transforming quality management practices within these industries.