Brief description
PODEST investigates how open source hardware (OSH) can contribute to strengthening a socially just and participatory energy transition. Freely available construction plans, transparent technology development and collaborative innovation processes are intended to empower citizens, initiatives and small businesses to develop and implement their own customised solutions for the use of renewable energies. The project combines the engineering development of an open PV-wind-battery system with social science research on the use, participation and impact of such technologies.

Objectives

• Systematic analysis of existing OSH solutions for decentralised energy supply and assessment of their potential for a ‘just energy transition’.
• Development and testing of a modular, openly documented system consisting of a PV system, small wind energy, battery management and power electronics.
• Establishment of a community of practice consisting of developers, SMEs, initiatives and citizen science actors.
• Research into the suitability for everyday use, replicability and impact of OSH energy systems in the context of participatory home labs.
• Derivation of policy, practice and research recommendations for the dissemination of open energy systems.
 

Approach
PODEST combines technical development (including open power electronics, flexible battery management, testing of a small wind turbine) with participatory research formats. A community of practice accompanies the development process and supports practical testing in home labs. All technical solutions and data are openly documented and made available via an open hardware platform.

Participating institutions: TU Berlin (power electronics, energy storage technology, fluid mechanics), BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg (Chair of Sociology of Technology and the Environment) and the Open Knowledge Foundation Germany.

Responsible persons: Melanie Jaeger-Erben, Max Czymai

Duration: 36 months, Started 1 September 2025

Funded by: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)