September 24, 2026
Data Center Analysis in Germany: Hessen Accounts for Around 70 Percent of Recorded Grid Connection Capacity

SpaceX’s current US project, Starmind Al1 – featuring a satellite-based AI computer in space – once again highlights just how high the demand for data centres already is. In Germany, too, demand for the necessary network capacity is rising. When building new data centres, operators must take into account both the power consumption and the electrical connected load of a data centre. The latter specifies the maximum electrical power a data centre can draw via its grid connection, and thus determines the capacity the electricity grid must provide for the respective location. As our new analysis shows, this connected load is distributed very unevenly across Germany’s regions. For this study, we examined the connection capacity of existing data centres across Germany’s federal states and the country’s 20 largest cities. This topic will also be discussed at this year’s IFA Berlin: edge and cloud computing, as well as connectivity and secure digital infrastructures, are among the trending topics in the ‘Computing & Gaming’ and ‘Communication & Connectivity’ show areas.
September 15, 2026
Smart Home
Laundry and Dishwashing: Smart Appliances Cut Average Costs by Around 50%
Almost 40% of Germans do not know how much water their household uses each year, according to a survey conducted by polling institute Civey. Households that do not keep track of their utility costs may also be missing out on considerable savings, particularly when using modern, energy-efficient appliances.

Depending on where they live, households can face annual differences of up to 43 euros in water and electricity costs for washing machines and up to 19 euros for dishwashers. Choosing an energy-efficient appliance can significantly reduce the impact of these local cost differences. IFA Berlin (www.ifa-berlin.com), the world’s leading event for home appliances and consumer electronics, analysed the water and electricity costs of running washing machines and dishwashers in Germany’s 100 largest cities.
July 1, 2026
Mobility
A Comparison of Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Across the EU
Although nearly one in five cars in Europe is now fully electric, skepticism toward the technology persists—in part due to a lack of confidence in the public charging network. For IFA Berlin (www.ifa-berlin.com), we conducted a recent study to analyze whether concerns about a lack of charging options are justified. In addition, we examined the development of other alternative fuels within the EU. As a global platform for future technologies, we not only monitor these developments but also bring them together every year at IFA Berlin with innovations in the fields of electric mobility, charging infrastructure, and connected mobility.
June 18, 2026
Digital Health & Wearables
Get Paid to Stay Healthy: The Guide to Insurance Bonuses
Earning money with step counters: For many public health insurance providers, an active lifestyle literally pays off. For years, we have observed a growing trend: digital technologies are increasingly being linked to health incentives.  For example, BARMER offers a 15-euro bonus if you walk 50,000 steps per week for four weeks — an average of just 7,143 steps per day.  Compared to other providers, this means BARMER requires the lowest minimum number of daily steps.