Saxony's universities cooperate on hydrogen research

The Technical Universities of Chemnitz, Dresden, and Freiberg want to cooperate more closely on hydrogen research in the future. To this end, they joined forces on Wednesday to form the "Saxon Hydrogen Union". The aim is to deepen the existing cooperation in research and teaching and to exploit possible synergies. At the same time, the aim is to transfer research results more quickly into practice and to train future specialists.

As the TU Dresden's hydrogen expert, our Research Training Group spokesperson, Prof. Antonio Hurtado (pictured right), was present at the signing ceremony and enriched the event with an expert contribution. He prominently highlights the 4th Boysen-TU Dresden Research Training Group "Hydrogen Economy as a Strategic Element of a GreenGas Deal", which is currently planned to start in 2023. More information on the individual contributions can be found here.

Green hydrogen produced from renewable energies is considered an important energy carrier of the future - for example as fuel for aircraft and vehicles or as a substitute for gas and energy supplies in industry. Saxony's hydrogen strategy envisages building a hydrogen economy along the entire value chain.

It is good to bundle competences, said Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) at the signing of a memorandum in Chemnitz. Hydrogen is a smart technology that can be used in many ways, and Saxony can make a significant contribution to the energy transition and the restructuring of the economy. The bundling of the existing competences at the three universities promises even more success, also internationally. Saxony must remain an industrial state, which is why we are relying on this technology, said the head of the state government.

Chemnitz had been awarded the contract for the location of a national hydrogen center in 2021, and the federal government is providing 72.5 million euros to this end. Hydrogen research plays an important role at the university, said Rector Gerd Strohmeier. Fuel cell technology is a priority focus of research there. In addition, scientists at the TU Dresden are working within a joint project on how this fuel can be stored in aircraft. The university has made climate-friendly and sustainable energy research a new research focus, Rector Ursula Staudinger emphasized. "The hydrogen economy will be part of a climate-neutral energy supply."

Sächsische Wasserstoffstrategie

dpa