© Stiftung Jugend forscht e. V./Schaeffler

Young researchers focus on the energy transition

In the Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach, Germany’s best young STEM talents were honoured for the 61st time in May 2026 as part of the national ‘Jugend forscht’ youth science competition organised by the foundation of the same name. Among the submissions were also many ideas relating to the energy transition.

“We are looking for tomorrow’s researchers!” With this call, Henri Nannen, then editor-in-chief of Stern magazine, launched the first round of the ‘Jugend forscht’ competition 61 years ago. Since then, more than 350,000 children and young people have taken part in Germany’s best-known youth science competition.

More than 11,300 young researchers from across Germany, almost ten per cent more than in the previous year, registered this year and submitted more than 6,300 different research projects. The best five projects in each of the subject areas “Working World”, “Biology”, “Chemistry”, “Geo- and Space Sciences”, “Mathematics/Computer Science”, as well as “Physics” and “Technology” were awarded cash and non-cash prizes such as research internships and scholarships.

Once again, many exciting projects relating to the energy world of the future were among the submissions, for example on optimising photovoltaics and grid systems, where smart systems for households increase the efficiency and service life of solar installations. Ideas were also presented for new processes to improve efficiency in biogas production. Another project focused on smart building technology, with comparative analyses of the energy efficiency of modern, emission-free electric heating systems. 

AI-supported climate simulations also attracted considerable attention: using deep learning, it would be possible to calculate complex climate models and assess, within minutes rather than months, whether potential tipping points could be reached. Another area of focus was “energy efficiency in everyday life”, including testing new insulation materials such as aerogel in order to significantly reduce heat losses in both residential and commercial settings.
The special “Energy” award worth €1,500 (sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) went to 17-year-old Ben Waldmann from Ulf-Merbold-Gymnasium in Greiz, Thuringia, for his project “SORS – Segmented Optimized Rotor Simulation”, an innovative software tool for optimising small wind turbines.

The background is that small rooftop wind turbines are often less efficient due to their rigid rotor blades. The system developed by Ben is a smart control solution that dynamically adjusts the blade angle during operation. In wind tunnel tests, this increased energy yield by around 18 per cent. In addition to the special “Energy” award, the young researcher also won first place nationwide in the physics category with a paper on the formation of the first stars. 

The aim of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is to encourage young talent to pursue long-term careers in the energy sector. As part of its energy research activities, the Ministry will once again support two different Perspective Forums on energy topics in 2026 organised by the ‘Jugend forscht’ foundation. The Perspective Forum “Future Energy Issues” will take place in Hanover from 23 to 25 September 2026. It is aimed at alumni who are at least in their second year of university as well as doctoral candidates up to the age of 28. The Perspective Forum “Energy Career Pathways” is aimed at school schudents, trainees, people doing voluntary service and first-year university students aged 16 and above. It will take place in Magdeburg from 1 to 3 September 2026.

The 62nd ‘Jugend forscht’ competition round will kick off on 1 July 2026. Once again, young people will be able to submit their project applications until 30 November 2026 here.