X-Energy (incl. sub-projects)

The X-Energy research project is a strategic partnership initiative of HAW Hamburg with the aim of positioning the university as a leading innovation center for the development of sustainable, climate-neutral energy systems in the Hamburg metropolitan region. The central element for the strategic orientation of the overall project is the X-Energy management project.

Divided into various sub-projects, the research focus of X-Energy is primarily on the restructuring of the energy system. This requires a technology-neutral transformation of the electricity system - away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energies. The new electricity system must react flexibly to fluctuations in electricity generation, i.e. the consumption of electricity must be more closely aligned with the supply of electricity. However, this poses major challenges for the increasingly complex electricity system. This is precisely where the X-Energy partnership initiative comes in with the research topics of wind energy, system integration, energy storage and the interdisciplinary research field of environment & acceptance. It develops solutions for a secure and stable energy system that is powered 100 percent by renewable energies.

X-Energy is an association of partners from science and industry. It consists of around 20 regional and national corporate partners who are developing solutions for a climate-neutral energy system in 24 sub-projects - from the initial idea to the market launch of innovative products and services. The interdisciplinary cooperation of 17 professors from three faculties of HAW Hamburg (Technology and Information, Life Science, Business & Social Sciences) creates valuable synergy effects in scientific research.

Focus areas

Wind energy

A large proportion of the renewable electricity that is generated unevenly due to weather conditions comes from wind energy. The further expansion of renewable energies and the full integration of this electricity into the grids will be all the more successful the more flexibility and optimization potential is tapped. In addition, the electricity generation costs must be further reduced through innovations in order to achieve the expansion targets. Increasing efficiency and generation output and reducing maintenance costs by optimizing the design of wind turbines minimizes costs. Through targeted further development of control and regulation technology, wind turbines can also help to keep the electricity grid stable.

To promote social acceptance of wind energy, there is also a growing need for innovations to improve environmental compatibility. This includes the protection of flora and fauna as well as the reduction of light and noise emissions from wind turbines.

System integration

With the energy transition, the electricity supply is changing from a load-led system, in which electricity demand could be covered by easily controllable fossil fuel power plants, to a generation-led system, in which fluctuating electricity production from wind and sun must be harmonized with electricity consumption. Ensuring balance is an essential prerequisite for the stability of the electricity grid. This can be achieved by systematically controlling and regulating a large number of electricity producers and consumers with the help of a decentralized communication structure and innovative algorithms. Coupling the electricity sector with the industrial, heating and mobility consumption sectors increases the flexibility of the overall system through controllable large-scale consumers and also enables the decarbonization of these sectors.

Energy storage

In electricity grids with an increasing proportion of fluctuating, renewable energies, the synchronization of consumption and generation must be supported by efficient energy storage systems. This is necessary in order to balance out short-term load and generation fluctuations on the one hand and to sensibly absorb long-term electricity surpluses or maintain energy reserves for periods of low wind and sunshine on the other.

Power-to-X (PtX) concepts make electricity surpluses available in the long term for periods of low generation. In addition, electricity can also be made available for applications that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy goods vehicles or certain industrial applications, by converting it into gaseous or liquid energy sources. Heat and electricity storage systems, on the other hand, are primarily suitable for dynamic short to medium-term energy storage.

Further information

Further materials and scientific publications on X-Energy and the sub-projects can be found at CC4E Marking and Communication.

X-Energy management project

Central element for the strategic
orientation of the overall project is the
X-Energy management project.