The THWS zero-carbon strategy
Besides the digital transformation and internationalisation, and supported through the Bavarian Hightech Agenda, THWS has established a third strategic area: Zero Carbon. Here, a few well-established institutions play a key role. Among them are the Institute for Power Engineering and High-Voltage Technology (IEHT) and the Technology Transfer Centre for E-Mobility (TTZ-EMO). Via the Bavarian Hightech Agenda, the newly-founded Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIRO) and the areas of sustainable energy systems, as well as the Hydrogen Technology programme, which are currently being established, are also involved.
Applied sciences, transfer of knowledge and technology (FWTT)
In particular, THWS wants to support SMEs and start-ups in joint research projects with technological advice and give them the opportunity to use the infrastructure of the THWS - such as laboratories - for research and development work in the pre-competitive phase. It should be possible to validate the developed solutions as systems or subsystems on the way to market maturity. In this way, THWS facilitates or enables the companies' access to (international) markets.
An opportunity for SMEs: The Hydrogen Technology Lab
Even after the successful transformation to a de-carbonised industry, companies must be able to maintain their market position. SMEs in particular should be prepared face the coming challenges.
However, companies currently have neither the necessary application expertise nor the required, cost-intensive test infrastructure for parts and components in the field of hydrogen technology. This means that the companies lack the basic pre-requisite to begin a technological transformation towards hydrogen technology.
The THWS Hydrogen Technology lab breaks this cyclical negative causal chain with its transfer strategy and offers a relevant competence space. Test and development platforms are provided to develop products and services for the transfer of ideas, knowledge and technology, especially in SMEs, and to build up technological expertise.
»Green Hydrogen Technologies«
»Green Hydrogen Technologies« is an THWS project funded by the European Union. It pursues the goal of providing small and medium-sized enterprises in the region of northern Bavaria with application-specific competences in hydrogen technology. This is to help them meet the challenges of climate protection and thus overcome the consequences of the Corona pandemic. The project focuses on renewable energy conversion and the material use of hydrogen.
New degree programme: Bachelor in Hydrogen Technology (BWT, German-taught)
Since the winter semester 2021/22, THWS has been meeting the industry's growing demand for engineers with interdisciplinary hydrogen know-how with the full-time Bachelor's programme in Hydrogen Technology. The study contents are tailored towards the topic of hydrogen and its corresponding process chain. The students are in continuous professional exchange with companies and research institutions in theory and practice and are correspondingly involved in study-related project co-operations.