Designing the energy systems of tomorrow is one of the defining challenges of our time. It calls for a fundamental transformation of how we generate, distribute, and use energy, moving away from fossil fuels and toward renewable sources. The energy transition is more than a technical change, it is reshaping economies and societies alike.

In this context, the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Alliance Austria brings this transformation down to a practical level by promoting vehicle-to-grid technologies. V2G allows electric vehicles to act not only as consumers of electricity, but also as flexible energy resources that can feed power back into the grid when needed. By connecting actors from the energy, mobility, and technology sectors, the Alliance helps turn a promising idea into a concrete pathway toward a more resilient and intelligent energy system.

In this business project, we will work closely with the V2G Alliance Austria and one of its founding members, VERBUND. As Austria’s leading energy company and one of Europe’s largest producers of hydropower-based electricity, VERBUND brings real-world relevance to the project. Over the semester, students will have the chance to get creative, think beyond familiar patterns, and develop personas that represent key V2G customer groups before designing innovative business models tailored to their needs.

Course outline:

Session 1: Introduction to the course and topic

Session 2: Project Kick-Off

Session 3: Skill session

Session 4: Interim presentations

Session 5: Skill session and group coaching

Session 6: Final presentations

At the end of the course students will

• know and understand the challenges related to the energy transition and V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid)
• be familiar and able to critically assess the current developments in the field
• have the skills to find solutions to real-life issues

In addition, students will

• work in diverse team-settings
• be able to explain and present complex topics to an audience in an understandable way
• give constructive feedback on others' presentations
• think outside the box to come up with innovative analyses, ideas, and solutions

As this is an interactive class regular attendance is mandatory. In-class discussions play a vital role in the course design, and they can only be fruitful if everyone attends and contributes on a regular basis.

You may miss one session, but be aware that this will affect your class participation and, as a result, may affect your final grade. If you miss more than one session, you will be deregistered from the course. 

This is a project-based course. Students will work on real-life business challenges the V2G Alliance Austria currently faces. Throughout the course solutions to these challenges will be developed and presented.

The final grade of the students participating in the course will be based on the following:

• class participation: 20% (individual)
• interim presentation: 20% (team)
• final presentation and report: 40% (team)
• peer rating: 10% (individual)
• course reflection: 10% (individual)

Final grading:

       ≥ 90%...1

       ≥ 80%...2

       ≥ 70%...3

       ≥ 60%...4

       < 60%...5

SBWL students must have successfully completed course I (Foundations of IB) and II (IB Applications) of the specialization.

The course is open to all exchange students with an interest in the topic.

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