What are you and your team at the Fraunhofer IEG currently working on?
At Fraunhofer IEG, we are developing technologies that are crucial to the successful implementation of the energy transition — in other words, we are working on the future of energy. This includes geothermal energy, hydrogen technologies, heat pumps and underground carbon storage, and much more. Our work particularly focuses on the heat transition. After all, a large proportion of the energy we consume in Germany is in the form of heat, rather than electricity. Sustainable alternatives are now required, particularly in former coal-mining regions where district heating has traditionally relied on fossil fuels. Our institute was founded to address this transformational challenge, and we collaborate with partners from research, industry, and local authorities to develop climate-neutral solutions.
Could you give an example of a project that is specifically advancing the heating transition?
One such project is the ‘Field Scale Laboratory for Geothermal Energy Rhineland’. Together with partners, we are investigating the feasibility of deep geothermal energy as a heat source for entire cities. The aim is to extract heat from a depth of around 3.5 kilometres — sufficient to supply an entire district heating network. While this is a technologically challenging endeavour, it is also highly sustainable: Geothermal energy is resilient, regionally available and carbon-neutral. What is particularly exciting is that this project is directly connected to a large lignite-fired power plant that will be shut down by 2029. Our research will, therefore, directly compensate for the loss of heat output from this plant.
Another example is the Lausitz reference power plant in Cottbus, where we are investigating how hydrogen can be efficiently converted back into electricity, utilising waste heat and by-products such as oxygen in the process.
These projects demonstrate how applied research can contribute directly to the transformation of our energy system.
How international is the work at the Fraunhofer IEG, and what opportunities does this offer for young scientists?
We have a strong international network. We collaborate with universities and research institutions across Europe and beyond. Many of our employees and doctoral students are from abroad, joining us via international degree programmes, EU projects or targeted unsolicited applications. This enriches our day-to-day collaboration and ensures that our knowledge is passed on. Many then take their experiences back to their home countries and become multipliers there.
The Fraunhofer model is also a real career accelerator: Those who work for us often work on several projects, learning in an application-oriented way and maintaining close contact with companies. Working for us is particularly attractive, whether as a research associate or doctoral student, thanks to the combination of cutting-edge research and practical implementation.
What personally motivates you about your work?
I love the variety. No two days are the same. We collaborate with universities, municipal utilities, companies, and international partners. Our work involves research, coordination and discussions with political stakeholders, as well as bringing new technologies to market. Our work has a direct impact. Many of my colleagues, myself included, come from a background in basic research. For us, moving into applied research means working faster, reaching a wider audience and taking on more responsibility.
There is also a strong sense of intrinsic motivation here. Our employees don’t just come here for job security; they come because they believe they can contribute. It’s rewarding to work on solutions that will, in the best-case scenario, become part of everyday life in a few years’ time — whether in industry, municipal utilities, or the international energy market.
