Inside Edge Datenwirtschaft: 3 Questions for… Peter Gabriel
The German technology programme “Edge Datenwirtschaft” supports projects at the interface of edge computing and data economy – with a focus on real-world demonstrators, data sovereignty, and the development of decentralised, European data ecosystems. The initiative is commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
As part of our “3 Question series” we spoke with Peter Gabriel, Senior Advisor at VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, which oversees the programme’s accompanying research, about its scope, its impact across borders, and its alignment with European standards such as Gaia-X and International Data Spaces.
1. What role does the “Edge Datenwirtschaft” programme play in fostering innovation and collaboration across industries and national borders?
Within the programme, companies and research institutions implement innovative concepts at the intersection of edge computing and the data economy through application-oriented demonstrators from manufacturing, health care and water management. These demonstrators serve as oriented blueprints, showing how edge computing can be used in practice and highlighting its economic, technical, and ecological benefits. Thanks to the involvement of Austrian partners and a programme roadshow in the Netherlands last year, the initiative also has an international dimension – reflecting the relevance of edge computing for European users and technology providers.
2. Which use cases from the funded projects show the greatest potential?
That’s a difficult question, as each project partner naturally considers their own use case the most important. However, we have a good understanding of what drives the participating companies. When asked, they consistently name three main objectives: Advancing their digital transformation Improving their environmental sustainability footprint Developing and launching new data-driven products and services
3. How does the programme support a trustworthy, secure and sovereign data infrastructure in Germany and Europe?
One of the programme’s key goals is to strengthen data sovereignty by promoting the use of edge computing and the development of decentralised data spaces. In terms of implementation, many projects build on European standards such as Gaia-X and the International Data Spaces, thereby contributing directly to technological sovereignty.
Peter Gabriel
