Headquarters

Energy Systems of the Future
Initiative
Headquarters

The Headquarters “Energy Systems of the Future”

The Headquarters “Energy Systems of the Future” supports the members and various committees in the project work. The Headquarters is located at the offices of acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering at Georgenstraße 25 in Berlin and at Karolinenplatz 4 in Munich.

The Headquarters staff

coordinate the Working Groups and supports their technical work
conceive and organise workshops and dialogue panels
prepare and follow up committee meetings
support the editorial and publication processes
are responsible for the press and PR

Employees

Dr. Cyril Stephanos
Energy Systems of the Future
Head of Headquarters

Dr. Cyril Stephanos
Head of Headquarters
Energy Systems of the Future
+49 (0)172 144 5876
stephanos@acatech.de

Cyril Stephanos has been working at the ESYS headquarters since March 2014 and has been managing it since June 2021. His work focuses on energy scenarios and energy system analysis, hydrogen and market design, and global trends in the energy transition. Previously, he conducted research on energy conversion and material science at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research. He completed his doctoral thesis at the Chair of Experimental Physics at the University of Augsburg.

Miriam Borgmann
Energy Systems of the Future
Deputy Head of Headquarters / Scientific Officer

Miriam Borgmann
Deputy Head of Headquarters / Scientific Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
089/52 03 09-75
borgmann@acatech.de

Miriam Borgmann started working for the ESYS project in September 2021. She focuses on the topics of energy and carbon markets, photovoltaics and sustainable heat supply. Previously, she worked for a sustainability consultancy for the property sector, where she carried out photovoltaic feasibility studies and sustainability certifications for construction projects. Miriam Borgmann studied Sustainable Resource Management at the Technical University of Munich. In her Master thesis she analysed the recycling of photovoltaic modules using a life cycle analysis.

Jörn Gierds
Energy Systems of the Future
Deputy Head of Headquarters / Scientific Officer

Jörn Gierds
Deputy Head of Headquarters / Scientific Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
+49 (0)151 5281 8795
gierds@acatech.de

Jörn Gierds joined the ESYS Headquarters in February 2022. He particularly focuses on the topics of carbon management, carbon markets, heating market and gas industry. Before joining ESYS, he worked for several years in management consultancies in the energy sector. In these positions, he was particularly involved with topics in the fields of power-to-X / hydrogen, the heating market and grid operation. Jörn Gierds studied Economics and European Studies in Berlin and Frankfurt (Oder).

Kathrin Mendorf
Energy Systems of the Future
Senior Advisor for Political Communication

Kathrin Mendorf
Senior Advisor for Political Communication
Energy Systems of the Future
+49 30 206309-644
kathrin.mendorf@acatech.de

Kathrin Mendorf joined the ESYS Headquarter as a Senior Advisor for Political Communication in November 2025. Through various formats, she opens up the political space for new insights into implementing a secure, affordable and sustainable energy transition. Prior to this, she worked as a spokesperson and most recently at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Kathrin Mendorf studied at the Otto Suhr Institute of Political Science in Berlin.

Dr. Berit Erlach
Energy Systems of the Future
Scientific Officer

Dr. Berit Erlach
Scientific Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
+49 (0)175 4935 623
erlach@acatech.de

Berit Erlach joined the Project in September 2013 and is mainly responsible for the topics of energy scenarios, raw materials, bioenergy and carbon management. Previously, she worked as a research associate at the TU Berlin and wrote her doctoral thesis on bioenergy. After her graduation in energy and process engineering, she worked for three years in an engineering office in the fields of technical engineering and energy consulting.

Philipp Stöcker
Energy Systems of the Future
Scientific Officer

Philipp Stöcker
Scientific Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
stoecker@acatech.de

Philipp Stöcker joined the ESYS project in July 2023 as Scientific Officer. His focus is energy system analysis with emphasis on sustainable energy supply and energy storage. Previously, he headed the department of Grid Integration and Storage System Analysis at the Chair of Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems at RWTH Aachen University. In parallel, he supported several working groups at ESYS as consulting Scientific Officer since 2014. Philipp Stöcker studied Technical Cybernetics in Stuttgart and San Diego.

Sven Wurbs
Energy Systems of the Future
Scientific Officer

Sven Wurbs
Scientific Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
+49 (0)160 9443 9911
wurbs@acatech.de

Sven Wurbs joined the ESYS Headquarters in April 2021. His thematic focus is on energy policy and politics, hydrogen economy and sustainable design of supply infrastructures. Previously, he worked in an institute of practice-oriented sustainability research in projects on renewable energies, adaptation to climate change impacts and the development of rural areas, among others. He completed his studies in political science in Berlin, where he focused on inter- and transdisciplinary research issues.

Dr. Orkan Akpınar
Energy Systems of the Future
Scientific Officer

Dr. Orkan Akpınar
Scientific Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
+49 (0) 160 3490 458
orkan.akpinar@acatech.de

Orkan Akpınar joined the ESYS Project team as a Scientific Advisor in March 2026. He holds a degree in General Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt. Following his studies, he served as a policy advisor focusing on German and European energy policy, as well as regulatory frameworks within the energy sector. He completed his doctorate at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), where his research provided a holistic analysis of energy storage systems.

Tiphaine Rouault
Energy Systems of the Future
Scientific Officer

Tiphaine Rouault
Scientific Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
+49 89 520 30 930
tiphaine.rouault@acatech.de

Tiphaine Rouault joined ESYS as a Research Associate in March 2026, where her work focuses primarily on resilience. She previously gained professional experience in the fields of large-scale battery storage and e-mobility. Tiphaine holds a degree in Economics, specializing in Energy Economics and Sustainability Management. Her academic background was completed through double-degree programs under the umbrella of the Franco-German University (DFH-UFA).

Claire Stark
Energy Systems of the Future
Communications Officer

Claire Stark
Communications Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
089/52 03 09-929
stark@acatech.de

Claire Stark joined the ESYS Project team in February 2023 as a trainee. Since January 2024, she has been working as Communications Officer. Previously, alongside her studies in chemistry, she worked in the exhibition service of a museum of science and technology and at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in the field of science communication.

Mathis Römer
Energy Systems of the Future
Communications Officer

Mathis Römer
Communications Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
+49 (0) 16098047808
roemer@acatech.de

Mathis Römer has been working as a Press and Public Relations Officer for the Energy Systems of the Future project since January 2026. He is responsible for the website content and the central social media channels. Previously, he served as a Manager of Strategic Projects for the 'Culture Data Space' (Datenraum Kultur) project.

Annika Seiler
Energy Systems of the Future
Publications and Project Management Officer

Annika Seiler
Publications and Project Management Officer
Energy Systems of the Future
089/52 03 09-848
seiler@acatech.de

Annika Seiler joined the ESYS Project team in January 2024 as Publications and Project Management Officer. She previously worked as coordinator for publications since April 2020. After her studies of Publishing Production Management in Leipzig, she worked as production manager for a publisher of specialist books and journals. Following this, she worked as a media producer and project manager in the publishing sector with a focus on calendars, puzzles and B2B

Christiane Abele
Energy Systems of the Future
Project Assistant

Christiane Abele
Project Assistant
Energy Systems of the Future
089/52 03 09-34
abele@acatech.de

Christiane Abele has been with acatech since October 2017. Until April 2020 she supported the Finance/Human Resources department as a clerk, since May she has been working as a project assistant for the project Energy Systems of the Future. Prior to this, the trained travel management assistant worked mainly as an assistant for various international companies.

Florentine Straub
Energy Systems of the Future
Project Assistant

Florentine Straub
Project Assistant
Energy Systems of the Future
straub@acatech.de

Florentine Straub joined acatech in February 2011. Until March 2013, she was employed as team assistant for the acatech project centre, since then she has been supporting the ESYS Headquarters as a project assistant. Her prior professional experiences include jobs as an assistant in a medical specialist association and as an IT management assistant for various companies.

Katharina Neugebauer
Energy Systems of the Future
Working Student

Katharina Neugebauer
Working Student
Energy Systems of the Future
katharina.neugebauer@acatech.de

Katharina Neugebauer has been a student assistant in the ‘Energy Systems of the Future’ initiative since September 2025. She completed her bachelor's degree in political science and economics at the University of Mainz. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in ‘Politics and Technology’ at the Technical University of Munich, with a focus on sustainability. Previously, she worked in academia and the public sector on a national and European level, particularly on the topics of energy, mobility and development cooperation.

Henri Böhland
Energy Systems of the Future
Working Student

Henri Böhland
Working Student
Energy Systems of the Future
henri.boehland@acatech.de

Henri Böhland has been working as a student assistant in the ‘Energy Systems of the Future’ initiative since October 2025. He completed his bachelor's degree in ‘Management and Technology’ at the Technical University of Munich with a technical specialisation in chemistry. Since April 2024, he has been studying for a Master of Arts in ‘Global Studies’ at Humboldt University in Berlin. He spent one semester at FLACSO Argentina in Buenos Aires and one semester at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Since October 2025, he has also been part of the ‘Environmental Studies Certificate Programme’ at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Prior to this, he gained work experience in business development in the biotech industry.

Emre Yıldırım
Energy Systems of the Future
Working Student

Emre Yıldırım
Working Student
Energy Systems of the Future
yildirim@acatech.de

Emre Yıldırım has been a student assistant with the 'Energy Systems of the Future' (ESYS) initiative since January 2026. He joined acatech in November 2021 and previously contributed to the 'Wasserstoff-Kompass' and 'MISSION KI' projects. He is currently studying Transport Systems with a specialization in Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Technische Universität Berlin. His background includes practical experience in the aviation industry as well as involvement in local educational initiatives.