Two days of inspiration in the Aachen region - for the future of Lusatia

As part of a two-day trip through the Aachen region, our team members André Röhrig and Kevin Hildebrandt visited the RWTH Aachen Campus and RWTH Innovation - with a clear goal: to gather impetus for the development of the Lausitz Science Park.

Special thanks go to Dr.-Ing. Sheila Gloßner from RWTH Aachen Campus GmbH, who gave us exciting insights into the structured development of a unique innovation ecosystem - with space for research, transfer and Company Relocation at the highest level.

Dr Jörg von Appen, Manager of RWTH Innovation GmbH, then explained how targeted technology transfer, start-up support and strategic industry partnerships are organised in Aachen - with a clear focus on entrepreneurship from science.

These impressions are valuable for our work in Lusatia - and show the potential that arises when strong partners work together to shape the future.

What makes a successful innovation centre

On the second day of our trip through the Aachen region, our team members André Röhrig and Kevin Hildebrandt visited Brainergy Park Jülich together with Marcel Linge and Franziska Kretzschmer from Startup Lausitz - a place where structural change, the energy transition and start-up culture become tangible.

Frank Drewes, Manager of Brainergy Park Jülich GmbH, shared with us what makes a successful innovation location: a clear vision, quick decision-making processes, a coordinated approach between the municipalities involved - and a strong commitment to openness towards companies and ideas. A central aim of the park is to create new jobs. The fact that the international technology group Quanta Computer Inc. has decided in favour of the location shows that this concept is convincing.

Prof. Dr Bernhard Hoffschmidt from the DLR Institute of Solar Research presented the sector-coupling energy system DELNISE (Digital Renewable Local Sustainable Innovative Sector-Coupling Energy System) - an integrated supply system with its own electricity grid, heating and cooling network, renewable energy from wind and sun, storage solutions and digital control. It is operated by a joint limited company, which was founded together with the energy supplier E.ON. This structure turns the entire Brainergy Park into a permanent real-life laboratory for the energy transition. Local companies benefit from the opportunity to develop and test their technologies under real-life conditions in an energy-efficient and climate-neutral way.

At Startup Village Jülich, we discussed entrepreneurship, community approaches and financing with Ingmar Stock and Sara Usinger. With over 6,000 m² of office space, its own accelerator, VC structures and a clear "community-first" approach, an environment is being created here in which start-ups are not only possible, but encouraged - supported by a team that sees itself as part of the product.

The Brainergy Park Jülich shows how new added value can be created through a clever location strategy, courageous energy policy and strong networks - a model with many parallels and valuable impulses for the development of the Lausitz Science Park.