The challenges: Energy transition and structural change

A climate-friendly energy supply is one of the great challenges of our time. Resources must be conserved and the potential of renewable energies must be used effectively. A successful energy transition requires a combination of security of supply, affordability and environmental compatibility with innovative and intelligent climate protection, as well as effective interlinking and optimization of the energy sectors of electricity, heat and transport. Synergies can be efficiently exploited through this sector coupling. This requires viable alternative options to the fossil fuels currently still in use. This is where hydrogen technology offers an excellent opportunity.

These objectives are accompanied by equally challenging change processes. Lusatia, Germany's second-largest lignite mining region, where some 24,000 jobs depend on this fossil fuel, is facing far-reaching structural change. The task is to develop this tradition-rich energy region into an attractive and livable innovation region with new prospects.

On July 15, 2019, the Free State of Saxony, Siemens AG and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft signed a declaration of intent to strengthen the region in the long term and support structural change in Lusatia. The Innovation Campus Görlitz is being created for this purpose. The aim of this future pact is to attract further technology and industrial companies, start-ups and research institutes. The focus is on digitalization, automation, energy technology and innovative materials and manufacturing technologies.

Our contribution: The Fraunhofer Hydrogen Lab Görlitz

The Fraunhofer Hydrogen Lab Görlitz (HLG) is a research platform and research infrastructure on the Innovation Campus Görlitz. The aim is to develop innovative solutions along the hydrogen value chain. Here, the HLG benefits from the synergy effects of the research competencies of the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU and the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES.

The research focuses on the generation and storage of hydrogen as well as the use of hydrogen in mobile as well as stationary fuel cells, especially for mobility and for supplying neighborhoods and industrial sites. This includes in particular the evaluation of stacks and systems, microstructure analytics and diagnostics, digitalization, production processes, power electronics as well as certification.

The Fraunhofer Hydrogen Lab Görlitz with its connected load of approx. 10 MW (perspectively 15 MW) will be the location for the development and testing of future-proof and sustainable hydrogen technologies in Saxony. The HLG actively contributes to achieving climate neutrality and maintaining technological leadership in the field of hydrogen technologies.

The Fraunhofer Hydrogen Lab Görlitz attracts further new industry and technology partners and thus significantly strengthens the economic region of Lausitz. The central concern here is to closely link training, applied research and practice at an early stage, to create new jobs and thus to anchor competence and economic power in the region.

Our basic idea: value creation through hydrogen

Our goal is to harness the enormous potential of the hydrogen economy - for Europe, Germany and Lusatia: on the one hand, to meet climate targets while maintaining a Lusatian energy economy and, on the other, to create exportable products, including the development of new economic sectors.

In this context, the hydrogen value chain includes hydrogen as an energy carrier for energy production, storage and use, as well as sector coupling.

Our path: The development of the HLG into a joint research platform

The signing of the Pact for the Future on July 15, 2019 marked the starting point for the establishment of the Fraunhofer Hydrogen Lab Görlitz. The content of the project is now being implemented in clearly defined phases. We will keep you informed about the further progress of the project.

Our offer: services and possibilities of participation

Our services

 

 

 

  • Stack and system evaluation
  • Microstructure analytics
  • Digitization
  • Certification and standardization of hydrogen technologies 
  • Production processes - manufacturing of bipolar plates, automated stacking
  • Power electronics
  • Tubular storage

How can you get involved?

  • preliminary and feasibility studies
  • national and international research projects with various funding programs along the entire H2 value chain
  • research contracts

Contact

 

 

 

Would you like to be involved in this project for the future of the region with charisma for Germany and Europe?

Then we look forward to you contacting us.

Our team: Together for the future of Lusatia

 

Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU

Reichenhainer Straße 88
09126 Chemnitz
telefon +49 371 5397-0

 

Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES

Am Seedeich 45
27572 Bremerhaven
telefon +49 471 14290-100