Competence Center for
Energy Transition (CC4E) Competence Center for Energy Transition (CC4E)

We research and develop solutions that make industrial and commercial processes energy-efficient, carbon-neutral and beneficial to the system – from process heat and hydrogen to smart system integration.

Industry and commerce are key players in the energy transition. They are among the largest energy consumers and, at the same time, offer considerable potential for improving efficiency, increasing flexibility and utilising renewable energy. At the interface with research areas such as energy system analysis (LINK), storage and conversion (LINK), heating (LINK), mobility (LINK), and society and sustainability (LINK), the CC4E undertakes a wide range of research activities aimed at making industrial processes climate-neutral, economically viable and future-proof.

The CC4E conducts research into hydrogen technologies for industrial applications – from production, storage and distribution through to their use in fuel cells or as a primary chemical resource. In the field of alternative fuels and chemical energy carriers, the CC4E focuses on process engineering methods that can replace fossil raw materials in industrial applications. In addition, carbon management approaches (CCU/CCS) are being researched to capture, store or utilise CO₂ from production processes.

Working in close collaboration with the Heat competence area, the CC4E focuses on decarbonising the supply of process heat for businesses. It helps companies identify their fossil fuel-based heating requirements and develop pathways towards a climate-neutral supply, for example through heat pumps, efficiency measures or the use of waste heat.

Another key focus is on the energy-efficient design of machinery and production facilities, as well as the optimisation of industrial drive systems and process control. To enhance system efficiency, intelligent control and regulation concepts are also being developed to optimise the supply and consumption of electricity and heat from both a technical and economic perspective.

Industrial facilities also play a key role in demand-side integration. The CC4E is investigating how flexible industrial consumers can contribute to the grid-friendly use of renewable energy – for example, through variable load profiles, storage integration or the coupling of electricity, heat and hydrogen. In close collaboration with the Mobility competence area, research is also being conducted into smart charging management systems that maximise the use of locally generated renewable energy, particularly at sites with large electric vehicle fleets.

The research is supported by the CC4E’s research facilities. These include the Energy Campus Technology Centre, where real-world systems such as generation units, storage facilities and (industrial) consumers are operated and studied. Field trials at partner companies complement the laboratory research and ensure that the solutions developed are practical, cost-effective and scalable. At the same site, another research building is already under construction: the Sector Coupling Demonstration Centre (LINK). This will house further laboratories and infrastructure for application-oriented, industry-relevant research, which will be used in collaboration with industry partners.

Through this inclusive approach, the CC4E is making a significant contribution to strengthening industry and commerce as the driving forces behind a climate-neutral energy sector – technologically, economically and socially.