So far, there has been no major breakthrough in successfully implementing the energy transition. Now, researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs have developed a far-reaching concept for the north-east region that addresses two major challenges: the decentralised storage of renewable energies and their utilisation in the transport sector. The CAMPFIRE alliance is focusing on an innovative energy source that can be generated from wind and water.
During a seven-month concept phase funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the "WIR! - Change through Innovation in the Region" programme, the 30 alliance partners developed a clear vision for the economic future of the North-East region. This model region in the Rostock, Stralsund, Greifswald and Uckermark area brings together research institutes, universities, associations and companies from the energy sector, the maritime industry and the fertiliser industry. It is of outstanding importance for Germany's renewable energy production, but does not benefit economically from this development to the same extent.
The CAMPFIRE alliance has set itself the goal of providing strong economic impetus that will lead to the development of new business models and thus to the establishment of new companies. In the planned implementation phase, scientific and entrepreneurial expertise from the fields of thin-film technologies, high-performance catalysts, energy systems, ship design and legal policy will be pooled. Of central importance are the development of direct energy conversion systems and the production of the green energy carrier ammonia (NH³) from locally generated wind power. This chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen is an excellent energy storage medium and can serve as fuel for innovative, emission-free ship propulsion systems – thereby revolutionising maritime mobility. To date, most of the approximately 50,000 commercial and passenger ships worldwide are powered by sulphur-containing heavy fuel oil. This enormous fleet is responsible for over three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The concept phase was coordinated by the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), the Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility (IKEM) and the Stralsund University of Applied Sciences (HOST). Dr Angela Kruth, project manager at INP, emphasises the importance of the project: "We could multiply the value added by renewable energies, increase the competitiveness of existing small and medium-sized enterprises and create sustainable jobs. This would benefit the entire region." During the concept phase, the alliance received a great response and felt how strong the support for the project was in the region. According to the plans, the first innovations could be implemented in five years. Until then, further projects are necessary to tailor ship design, propulsion systems and safety concepts to the new energy source. "Dynamic markets are developing here, and Germany must not miss out on the technological opportunities," emphasises Kruth.
scientific contact person:
Dr. Angela Kruth
Projektleitung
INP Greifswald
Tel. +49 3834 554 3860
E-Mail:
angela.kruth@inp-greifswald.de Weitere Informationen:
