Insights from Jan Denemark, FLOWBOX – ENERGOKLUB® Podcast Recap
In a recent episode of the ENERGOKLUB® podcast, our colleague Jan Denemark shared his perspective on the latest developments in smart energy management. The conversation offered a number of practical insights into how companies today use data, artificial intelligence, and automation to optimize energy consumption, improve efficiency – and how FLOWBOX software plays a central role in that process.
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Why Working with Data Is Critical
As Jan Denemark puts it:
“Today, the question is not how to measure – but what to do with the data.”
Companies now have access to vast amounts of data – but the real value lies not in who has the data, but in who can use it effectively. Data becomes powerful only once it's transformed into actionable insight that leads to real decisions and change. This is where tools like automated data analysis and visualization come in – turning technical outputs into clear, usable information. And importantly, they make insights accessible even to those without a background in energy management.
The Role of AI and Automation
Artificial Intelligence was another major topic of the episode – not just as a buzzword, but as a practical tool already helping businesses forecast consumption based on historical trends and select the best control algorithm for the situation.
“AI can learn from historical data and recognize patterns a human would miss with the naked eye.”
A particularly interesting innovation Jan discussed is the AI chatbot – or “virtual energy manager.” Inspired by the needs of municipalities, where qualified energy professionals are often lacking, this solution helps non-experts better understand energy data and act on it.
“It’s essentially a replacement for human capacity that just isn’t available in the market right now.”
Why Manual Control No Longer Works
Manually managing energy flows in real time is no longer realistic – there are simply too many variables, and the data changes too fast. Human reaction alone can’t keep up.
“At FLOWBOX, we’re developing a system that doesn’t just monitor – it actively controls both energy consumption and production. It responds to the needs of buildings, manufacturing sites, or entire networks in real time – and also takes future forecasts into account.”
This shift toward automated optimization is what enables true smart energy management at scale.
Looking Ahead: Microgrids, Community Energy & Security
The discussion also touched on the future of energy – with decentralization, community-based energy, and microgrids no longer distant concepts, but fast becoming reality in many regions. However, as Jan highlights, this evolution also brings new challenges – especially in terms of cybersecurity. As energy systems become more digital, it’s no longer just about protecting data – but also securing the entire control infrastructure.
