Consumers as Drivers of the Energy Transition – Inspiring Impulses at IE2S REFLECT
Bastian Gierull on Customer Centricity as the Key to a Successful Energy Transition
On October 9, 2025, IE2S hosted the second edition of its internal event series REFLECT. REFLECT offers employees the opportunity to analyze future trends and cross-industry challenges together with external experts. This time, Bastian Gierull, CEO of Octopus Energy Germany, joined the event in Stuttgart. Under the theme “Energy transition – status quo and quo vadis?”, he explained how Octopus Energy is driving innovation in energy supply through digitalization, customer centricity, and smart solutions.
Consumers at the Heart of a Flexible Energy Future
In his keynote speech, Gierull convincingly demonstrated that the energy transition can succeed if the focus is consistently on consumers. With its “Customer Love” approach, Octopus Energy aims to overcome the negative associations many customers still hold towards energy suppliers. An innovative electricity rate combines the security of a fixed price with the advantages of smart energy management. In addition, the company enables participation in wind power projects and operates a user-friendly charging platform for electric vehicles. These innovative elements are designed to turn consumers into active participants in the energy transition. Gierull also emphasized the importance of agile organizational structures: in a rapidly changing industry, the ability to adapt quickly is a key competitive advantage.
Dialogue on Innovation and Flexibility in the Energy Sector
The following conversation between Dr. Dominique Gross and Bastian Gierull, moderated by Ulrike Dreyer, developed into a lively exchange on innovation in the energy sector, dynamic electricity rates, and the role of flexibility solutions in ensuring grid stability. The numerous questions from the audience demonstrated the great interest in practical strategies for the energy and mobility transition.
Networking and Professional Exchange
During the get-together, participants took the opportunity to dive deeper into the evening’s insights over snacks and drinks. The event highlighted the high value of professional exchange in shaping change in the industry together with new ideas. REFLECT has established a format that regularly offers IE2S employees space for this kind of dialogue. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Bastian Gierull and his team, Melanie Schiller, Helene Neugebauer, and Janina Ketterer, for their inspiring insights and open exchange.
