The AI Impact Award, presented by the German business newspaper manager magazin and Porsche Consulting, honors companies that successfully and effectively apply artificial intelligence in real-world practice. The award highlights solutions that create genuine economic and societal added value.
The global industrial and technology leader ebm‑papst, has been nominated for the 2026 AI Impact Award in the Product and Customer Experience category, which recognizes solutions that enhance customer experience while driving profit and revenue growth. In a brief interview, Stefan Bastian, Managing Director at ebm‑papst neo, explains current challenges in energy‑intensive industries, how the AI-driven approach improves efficiency, and the tangible results delivered so far.
Mr. Bastian, what are the main challenges companies in energy-intensive industries are facing – and how does the AI solution “Nexaira” address them?
Stefan Bastian: Companies in energy-intensive industries are confronted with sharply rising and highly volatile energy prices, increasing ESG requirements, and significant pressure from regulations and competition. At the same time, their systems, such as cooling and process systems, are technically complex, often developed over time, and not optimally coordinated. What is frequently missing is transparency across energy flows, and many optimization opportunities remain untapped. This is exactly where “Nexaira” comes in as a holistic digital ecosystem. The solution includes digital services to monitor and optimize the operation of ebm papst’s high-performance fans, as well as AI-based cooling system optimization. This creates the foundation for maximum energy savings, high efficiency, and reliable operational stability. Existing systems can be upgraded cost-effectively through the retrofitting of modern fan technology, software, and sensors. Data centers, in particular, benefit from optimizations based on digital twins.