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PIER PLUS

PIER PLUS

Photo: PIER PLUS

Climate-neutral Mobility

Technologies for Climate-neutral Mobility in Hamburg

In the Hamburg metropolitan region, universities, research institutions, and industry partners are working to make mobility less dependent on fossil fuels and to further develop technological solutions for transportation, shipping, aviation, and energy systems.

The Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH), the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, and the University of Hamburg are key pillars of the research landscape. At TUHH, the focus is particularly on battery technologies, hydrogen systems, and sustainable propulsion systems; this is complemented by research on materials and components relevant for use in climate-neutral energy systems. With its research vessel Coriolis, Hereon provides a platform for emission-free shipping and climate-neutral propulsion systems; together with other partners, it is also developing corrosion-resistant system components for low-emission marine fuels through the KoSyShip project.

This ecosystem is complemented by additional expert perspectives, such as those from mobility research, the digital energy sector, and regulation. This creates a broad research landscape in Hamburg where hydrogen as a fuel and battery technologies play just as significant a role as maritime applications and systemic issues surrounding the transition to climate-neutral mobility.

Key Projects of the PIER PLUS Partners

DESY

Innovative Battery Technologies: DESY’s Contribution to the Sustainable Energy and Mobility Transition

DESY’s PETRA III X-ray light source makes it possible to analyze batteries under real-world conditions throughout their entire development and life cycle. For example, using the so-called operando method, charging and discharging processes in batteries can be studied along different beam paths to observe chemical changes and, in particular, degradation processes. These investigations not only enable the further development of lithium-ion batteries but also support research into post-lithium technologies such as sodium or solid-state batteries. In addition, PETRA III’s X-rays are used to conduct fundamental structural material analyses—using diffraction or spectroscopic methods—on novel cathode materials or, for example, the electrolytes they contain. Using the brilliant radiation from PETRA III—and its successor, PETRA IV—a combination of tomographic and diffraction methods allows for the targeted investigation of aging processes in complete commercial batteries during their charging cycles, thereby improving existing battery types and, in particular, the design of battery cells. In this way, DESY supports academic and commercial researchers in this field and is thus a key pioneer in the transition to climate-friendly and sustainable mobility through battery technologies and research.

For more information on DESY’s High-Tech Agenda contributions, see the DESY brochure “Aus Forschung wird Zukunft”.

Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg

Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH)

Through the BlueMat Cluster of Excellence, the TUHH is positioning itself as a leading player in sustainable energy storage, particularly in the field of battery technologies. The focus is on developing water-based electrochemical systems as a safe and resource-efficient alternative to lithium-based batteries. A key focus is on dual-ion batteries with zinc anodes, as well as on the targeted optimization of electrolytes to prevent dendrite formation. In parallel, supercapacitors with high power density are being developed, and new concepts such as hydrovoltaics—which harnesses energy from moisture gradients—are being researched. A defining feature is the close integration of experimentation, in-situ characterization, and modeling. Through this approach, the TUHH addresses key HTAD objectives such as sustainability, safety, and the reduction of critical raw materials, while pursuing a clear path toward industrial demonstrators.

For more information on the High-Tech Agenda at the Technical University of Hamburg, please follow this link.