RWE AG : RWE ranks 1st in the ESMT innovation index

RWE AG is the most innovative company among Europe's energy suppliers. This assessment is the outcome of the innovation index study prepared by the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT). EDF (France) and Iberdrola (Spain) came in 2nd and 3rd place. E.ON, the 2nd German participant, ranks 9th out of 15 companies.

The innovation index examines and assesses the research activities, productivity and sustainability of the 15 largest European energy suppliers. Patent rights also played a major role in the study, and here, RWE scored particularly well. All in all, RWE covers 14 out of 15 research fields defined as yardsticks by ESMT - significantly more than its competitors. ESMT inspected the development of research and development departments in the companies during the past four years. At all the energy suppliers, spending in these areas increased significantly during this period, most of all at RWE. However, compared to other technology sectors, such as the computer industry, expenditure in the energy industry is lower because the manufacturers in the energy industry provide most of the basic research.

In their research activities, the energy suppliers focus on practice-oriented improvements in the power plant sector and the development of electricity generation from renewable energy sources. "We are pleased about the outcome of the ESMT study. It is an acknowledgement and confirmation of our work but also a future incentive for our R&D departments and the patent team at RWE," said Frank-Detlef Drake, Head of R&D, when he had received the good news. RWE focuses not only on innovative plant engineering but also energy services and energy efficiency programmes.