Climate-friendly processes for energy generation, conversion and storage are being developed by researchers at this German university and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft research organisation, together with more than 70 partners from science, industry and society in the joint project SpreeTec neXt
Brandenburg University of Technology (Germany) and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft research organisation, received a 52.44-million-euro funding to carry out, over a period of seven years, the New Manufacturing Technologies for Components and Systems of Decentralized Energy Technology (SpreeTec neXt) research project, which is based on intelligent, powerful and safe energy systems for a successful energy transition. This funding was granted by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the framework of an increasing expansion of decentralised energy supply and the rising demands on the performance, safety and cost efficiency of system components. It will be used to create 38 new positions for scientists conducting research on manufacturing technologies for components and systems in decentralised energy technology.
Energy generation systems are becoming more complex. This poses major challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular. So, in the SpreeTec neXt research project, scientists from the Brandenburg University of Technology and the Fraunhofer Institutes for Applied Polymer Research IAP and for Material and Beam Technology IWS are working together with an interdisciplinary partner network to develop solutions for the many challenges along the value chain. The focus is on the resource-efficient design and production of components and systems such as local generation and storage solutions. These include hydrogen-based energy conversion in turbines and fuel cells, the design of efficient integrative heat exchanger systems, and the combination of novel hybrid photovoltaic and solar thermal collectors.
“SpreeTec neXt project bundles interdisciplinary know-how from research and practice along our profile line energy transition and decarbonization,” said BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande. “Innovative technologies that enable the control and economic operation of decentralized energy technology are gaining immense importance and have enormous market potential. Through research into highly efficient material systems and the associated manufacturing technologies, as well as transfer, we are unlocking this enormous potential.”
About SpreeTec neXt
The SpreeTec neXt research network is located within a corridor along the Spree River that connects Lusatia and Berlin with their research institutions, companies, associated and social partners. In addition to the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, the applying scientific partners are the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS with the planned Innovation Center for Photonic Material and Production Technology (IPWP).
More information: BTU Website
Caption: Group photo of the representatives of the partner institutions and participants in the press conference – not on the picture Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research Mario Brandenburg: (from left to right) Project Manager SpreeTec neXt at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg Prof. Holger Seidlitz, BTU President Prof. Gesine Grande, Institute Director Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS Prof. Christoph Leyens, Minister of Science of the State of Brandenburg Dr. Manja Schüle, Head of Research and Development Forster System-Montage-Technik GmbH Martin Plettig (Photo: BTU, Sascha Thor)
