Between crisis and climate target: hydrogen as a key technology

Energy crisis, climate change, geopolitical tensions: The past few years have made it clear just how vulnerable our energy system is. Rising prices, dependence on fossil fuel imports and the urgency of reducing CO₂ emissions have made the energy issue one of the key socio-political challenges of our time. In this situation, one energy source in particular is taking centre stage: hydrogen.

Holistic hydrogen research at the BTU

At BTU, hydrogen is being researched as a concrete component of a safe and climate-friendly energy supply. The scientists are working on everything from production, storage and transport to industrial applications.

"The fact that this tour is stopping here at the very beginning of 2026 is an important sign of the importance of hydrogen and of our university's expertise in this future-oriented field," emphasises BTU President Gesine Grande.

Hydrogen storage as an essential component of the energy transition

One focus is on the utilisation of surplus electricity from wind and solar power plants. Brandenburg in particular produces large amounts of renewable energy that cannot always be consumed immediately. At BTU, processes are being developed to convert this electricity into hydrogen, store it and make it available again when needed. At the hydrogen research centre, renewable energy is thus made "durable" - an important contribution to stabilising the energy system.

At the same time, BTU researchers are investigating suitable materials for electrolysers, fuel cells and catalysts at an atomic and molecular level. This basic research is crucial for long-lasting, efficient and economically viable hydrogen technologies.

Hydrogen-based drives and industrial applications

The focus is also on the mobility of the future. While road transport is becoming increasingly electrified, batteries are reaching their limits in aviation. In cooperation with the German Aerospace Centre, BTU is therefore developing electrified and hydrogen-based drive concepts for climate-friendly flying.

At the Energy Innovation Centre, engineering, natural sciences and economic sciences work together on an interdisciplinary basis. Key research areas include the optimisation of electrolysis, synthetic fuels from hydrogen and CO₂ and their reconversion into electricity.

Other projects focus on transport solutions for green hydrogen, mobile spherical storage systems (TransHyDE), control strategies at the Lausitz reference power plant and innovative sensor technology for hydrogen and hydrocarbons at the Electronics and Microsensor Technology Innovation Campus (iCampus).

The EU-funded project CLEANHYPRO (Open Innovation Test Bed for Electrolysis Materials for Clean Hydrogen Production) complements these activities: it provides industry and research with modern test and production infrastructures for the development and evaluation of materials and components for water electrolysis.

In addition, the SpreeTec neXt cluster strengthens the manufacturing expertise of regional metal and plastics companies along the innovation corridor between Lusatia and Berlin. The aim is to transfer new technologies for components and systems for decentralised energy technology - including hydrogen applications - into industrial practice.

Networking for structural change and decarbonisation

"These projects thrive on dialogue with our partners, such as DLR, Fraunhofer and TU Eindhoven, and strengthen our role in the regional hydrogen network 'DurcH2atmen',"explains Grande.

The Brandenburg-Saxony network "DurcH2atmen" has been bringing together around 100 partners with around 60 project and product ideas since 2019 and is driving forward the industrial transformation in Lusatia.

In addition, the Cluster Decarbonisation of Industry (CDI), founded in 2021, acts as a driving force for the goal of a greenhouse gas-neutral industry by 2045. Initiated by BTU, DLR, Fraunhofer IEG and KEI, it networks science, business, politics and administration.

Another example of the close connection between science and application is the joint BTU-BAM Graduate College "Trustworthy Hydrogen", in which young researchers are conducting research into the production, safe transport, detection and use of hydrogen.

Hydrogen tour makes projects visible

The hydrogen tour on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, shows: The development of a hydrogen economy in Lusatia will only succeed if politics, business, local authorities and science work together. Cottbus is positioning itself as a central location in the emerging Net Zero Valley. Business and networks such as the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and "DurcH2atmen" see hydrogen as a key to structural change and new value creation. The scientific basis is provided by BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, which pools its expertise and transfers innovations directly to the region.