The energy – mobility – processes
research cluster addresses three issues:
the energy supply of tomorrow, the future of mobility,
as well as process optimization and intensification,
and the development of new processes.
Many different faculties are involved.
We settled on these three issues specifically,
because mobility and processes not only use power
but also generate waste energy.
Our aim is to optimize the utilization of this conglomerate energy supply.
Our research cluster focuses on medium-sized companies
and large-scale industry.
Rather than conducting basic research,
we develop only application-oriented solutions.
We cooperate with a Hamburg company to research process-based power generation.
At this demonstration plant, we are developing a new compression and expansion process
we address not only data security, or the reliability of data transmissions,
that can generate power from waste heat via a separate small steam cycle,
or in a solar thermal power plant.
This process can also be applied in air-conditioning systems.
The advantage is the use of climate-neutral refrigerants
like air or water.
Another area of research that we pursue is the issue of microplastics.
We collect and analyze data pulled from flowing waters
to develop filtering processes that could cleanse contaminated watercourses.
We’re examining the scalability of cogeneration units.
Our aim is to integrate them for the first time in vehicles.
Thus, they must be smaller and lighter, ideally even portable.
Electric cars have a limited range
what they need is the equivalent of a spare canister.
In order to exceed the given range of your car
you could install a cogeneration unit.
This would reduce the driver’s fear of being stranded,
and boost the appeal of electric cars:
if driving longer distances is no longer a problem,
more people would be willing to buy them.
The “USEfUL” project is about utilizing such findings in commercial transport.
Our research is directed not at mobility in general or in regard to private use,
but commercial transport - especially significant in urban areas:
e.g. examining the problem of parcel services blocking the road by parking in second row.
The project is based on cooperation: with the business sector, mainly Volkswagen,
the city administration, and three universities.
We conduct our research by means of simulations.
Instead of actually driving cars through the streets,
we work with computer calculations.
State Capital Hannover manages the project.
After three years of research, the goal is to develop a web application
and decision-makers will have access.
This is spacially for communities but also for policy markers.
These web applications are meant to test in advance logistical measures
in specific urban areas, as well as to illustrate resulting effects.
Our research targets various objectives commonly pursued by municipalities:
quieter traffic, lower emissions, a pleasant city to live in,
but also as we call it the liveable city.
That means the well-being in the city itself.
HsH addresses “mobility“ across many disciplines,
engages in various other research projects,
and thus contributes a high level of expertise in this field
- resulting in, all in all, a successful project.