Formal partners of CC Germany are the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the University of Stuttgart and EnBW. Intel, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, Fraunhofer ISI and Steinbeis Europa Zentrum support the CC as further partners.

The organisation provides for the integration of the knowledge triangle: innovation projects, education and business creation. CC Germany launches and coordinates projects concerning “Energy from Chemical Fuels”. Furthermore, it establishes the Lighthouse Innodriver “Energy System Analysis Agency (ESA²)”. Karlsruhe is the centre of activities of CC Germany. At the same time, close links to Stuttgart are maintained.

The infrastructure of CC Germany comprises research and education facilities at research centres, universities and major regional energy suppliers, the KIT Energy Lab, innovation infrastructure for start-ups, and SME support. An innovation hub building will integrate and complete existing business creation structures. CC Germany’s headquarter is located in the Technology Park Karlsruhe. With its conference room, teleconferencing equipment and mobile workspaces it offers the ideal facilities to host KIC InnoEnergy and partner events such as workshops or meetings.

Innovation projects in the thematic field of “Energy from Chemical Fuels” are mainly focused on characterisation, conversion and storage of chemical fuels, which are of fossil origin (coal, fuel oil, natural gas and others), biomass based (e.g. wood, straw or algae) or derived from waste fractions (e.g. municipal waste). Novel processes for production of new fuels or upgrading of low rank fuels and for converting these fuels to heat, power, and chemicals will be transferred from lab-scale to demo-plant, thus bridging the gap between research and industry. Research and industry partners from all six CCs participating in KIC -InnoEnergy are strongly linked and contribute to the chemical fuels innovation projects.

The projects focus on the following key issues:

• Fuel production and characterisation
• Fuel conversion (thermochemical, chemical and biological)
• Efficient combustion systems/power plants

The Lighthouse Innodriver “Energy System Analysis Agency (ESA²)” is a framework project that links different CCs and is organised by CC Germany. It is set up as a spin-off from existing research centres with relevant expertise. ESA² targets at making KIC InnoEnergy a leading provider of energy system analysis. Within ESA² there will be several pillars such as a data pool for energy system analyses, tools for analysing collected information, and consulting services for decision makers in the energy sector.

Partners from CC Germany also significantly contribute to activities coordinated by other CCs, such as smart grids, wind and solar power, or clean coal technologies.

Best practice project:
Fuel adapted gasifier technologies (AGaTe)

The project AGaTe evaluates two different process options for the gasification of solid biomass - high temperature steam gasification and co-gasification of biomass and coal. The objective is to produce either power, or transportation fuel or fuel gas. Different kinds of feedstock will be tested in order to prove their suitability for either high temperature agent gasification or fluidized bed gasification processes. Read more

KIT, formal partner of CC Germany, is coordinating the new MSc programme in "Energy Technologies" (ENTECH). This programme focuses on acquiring a solid interdisciplinary knowledge, enabling students to cope with the complexity of future energy systems. It offers hands-on experience in a wide range of opportunities to practice and apply your knowledge and skills both in theory and practice.

In September 2011, the executive master programme “Energy Engineering & Management” started at the CC Germany. It is offered by the HECTOR School of Engineering and Management – the Technology Business School of CC Germany's partner Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The programme targets engineers with a professional experience in, for example, power plants. During the 18 months part-time studies, the candidates will stay in their industrial positions and receive crash courses in both technical and business related energy aspects. One of the management modules is taught at ESADE Business School in Barcelona (CC Iberia).

Moreover, in the context of KIC InnoEnergy’s PhD School, CC Germany organizes the track dedicated to “Energy from Chemical Fuels”. It builds on close cooperation with European partners from science and industry.

More information on the PhD track “Energy from Chemical Fuels”

The CC Germany acts as one of the six entry points of the KIC InnoEnergy Highway™. This comprehensive concept supports entrepreneurial ventures in the field of sustainable energy. The participation in the KIC InnoEnergy Highway gives access to a unique European network thanks to the connection of the six Co-Location Centres. Significant contributions to the value offering are produced by the business incubators at KIT and the University of Stuttgart.

The partners of CC Germany reflect the knowledge triangle of research, education, and innovation.

Formal Partners:

• General Manager: Dr Frank Diedrich
• Office Assistant: Carolin Carey
• Thematic Field Leader: Professor Dr Thomas Kolb
• Education Director: Dr Ursula Atto
• Business Creation Director: Dr Rolf Blattner
• Finance: Susanne Ginaidi
• Communication: Jeannine Petry