2026 Energy Saving Champion: Am Lauerhaas Comprehensive School in Wesel Wins State Title in North Rhine-Westphalia – Online Voting for the National Championship Begins

Eschborn, June 3, 2026. The state winners of the 2026 Energy Saving Champion competition have been announced. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the Am Lauerhaas Comprehensive School in Wesel took home the Energy Saving Champion title. The students impressed the jury with their project idea for reusing old solar panels. Developed in a “Jugend forscht” course, the project aims to create an energy-self-sufficient system featuring green facades, solar-powered irrigation, e-scooter charging stations, and robotic lawn mowers. The students work independently and with a high degree of personal responsibility. In the long term, the project is planned to be further developed as a model project for other schools. As a sponsor, Techem supports the school as part of the competition and contributes its expertise in the areas of energy efficiency and climate protection. The goal is to highlight the students’ commitment and further put their ideas into practice. As the state winner, the school receives 2,500 euros in prize money.

A Chance to Win the National Title Through Online Voting
This year, more than 55,000 students and teachers from across Germany participated in the Energy Saving Champion competition, held under the patronage of Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider—a new record. As the state winner from North Rhine-Westphalia, the Gesamtschule Am Lauerhaas is now competing in the online voting round against the winning schools from the other 15 federal states for the national title. Voting is open until June 17 at www.energiesparmeister.de/voting. If the school succeeds in becoming the national winner, it will receive an additional 2,500 euros in prize money. The award ceremony for all winning schools will take place on June 26 at the Federal Ministry for the Environment in Berlin.

Local Sponsor Supports School 
In addition to the prize money, the Am Lauerhaas Comprehensive School will also receive support with public relations. Techem is sponsoring the initiative: “Reusing old solar panels combines the energy transition, the circular economy, resource conservation, and innovation in an extremely creative way,” says Katharina Bathe-Metzler, Head of Sustainability, Communications & Public Affairs. “Above all, however, the students at Am Lauerhaas Comprehensive School are setting an example that ideas and personal responsibility pave the way to success—and are an important step toward a sustainable future. It is particularly impressive how concrete solutions for everyday life are emerging here—that is exactly what we need to put the energy transition into practice more quickly. Bravo!”

Fostering Ideas, Making an Impact
Techem’s sponsorship of the Am Lauerhaas Comprehensive School is part of the company’s comprehensive commitment to sustainability and climate protection in the building sector. As a sponsor, the company supports the school by providing advice, offering inspiration, and serving as a role model: With many years of experience and deep expertise in energy efficiency and decarbonization, Techem is actively driving change in the building sector itself.

Digitalization is a key driver in this effort: Already, around 85% of the meters in use are wireless, creating the conditions for greater transparency and targeted management of energy consumption. Building on this, Techem consistently relies on digital solutions to optimize energy and water consumption according to needs and to sustainably reduce CO₂ emissions. 

By 2045, the company is pursuing the clear goal of climate neutrality—achieved through innovative approaches, strong partnerships, and consistent, concrete action.

Image information: 2026 Energy Saving Champion: Am Lauerhaas Comprehensive School in Wesel Wins State Title in North Rhine-Westphalia (image source: ©www.energiesparmeister.de).

About the Energy Saving Champion Competition and co2online

The Energy Saving Champion Competition (www.energiesparmeister.de) is an initiative of co2online, supported by the “Online Climate Protection Advisory Service for Germany” project and funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety. co2online is organizing the school competition for the 18th time in a row and awards prizes totaling 50,000 euros each year to participating schools.

The non-profit consulting firm co2online (www.co2online.de) stands for climate protection that makes a difference. Since 2003, more than 50 energy and communications experts have been working to reduce electricity and heating energy consumption in private households to a minimum. co2online is supported by, among others, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the Federal Environment Agency, as well as the media, academia, and industry.