The sustainable change in energy policy in Germany will only be able to be implemented successfully if prosperity and economic growth can be successfully decoupled from energy consumption. To do this energy efficiency in the production of machines, systems and consumables has to be greatly improved since the producing industry uses a third of the total energy in Germany. A great deal of research is still needed here. The Heinz und Heide Dürr Foundation and the Karl Schlecht Foundation have therefore made funds available for an Institute for Energy Efficiency in Production at the University of Stuttgart. The founding of the Institute on 1st October 2012 was done in close cooperation with Prof. Thomas Bauernhansl, the Head of Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management (IFF) of the University of Stuttgart as well as Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA).
Both foundations will take over the basic funding for five years with 250,000 Euros annually, in
total therefore 2.5 million Euros. With this both founders Heinz Dürr and Karl Schlecht are
providing sustainable support for the University of Stuttgart. The new university institute (www.eep.uni-stuttgart.de)
is located at the Faculty of Energy, Process Engineering and Biotechnology (Faculty 4) of the
University of Stuttgart; however, it operates on a cross-faculty basis. Prof. Bauernhansl will act
as the founding director until a new professor is appointed within a year.
University Rector Prof. Wolfram Ressel thanked the founders for their social commitment: “The
Institute for Energy Efficiency in Production will be able to work on a long-term basis and make an
important contribution towards the change in energy policy succeeding in Germany. We are pleased
that a central research focus is being expanded at the University of Stuttgart with this foundation
institute, offering solution approaches for the social challenges of the future.“
“We are of the opinion that it is the massive improvement of energy efficiency in particular
that must take centre stage for a successful change in energy policy, along with the expansion of
regenerative energy sources and the decentralisation of energy generation“, according to Heinz Dürr
on behalf of both founders. “However, the latter is still being treated very much as a poor
relation. This is also to do with the fact that up to now in energy policy the supply side was
discussed and promoted far more than the demand side. We are therefore pleased that the University
of Stuttgart has founded an Institute for Energy Efficiency in Production, which will work closely
together with a project group from Fraunhofer IPA“, according to Dürr at a press conference on 25th
October in the Senate hall of the University.
Enlightenment of society and politics
Along with relevant basic research, the institute has the task of consulting politics on a
national and European level. It will therefore publish regular reports on the status of the change
in energy policy with the focus on energy efficiency in industry, based on the model of the ifo
Business Climate Index. Different event formats of the Institute are intended to keep the topic
permanently in public and political discussion. Moreover, traditional and modern marketing tools
such as social media will communicate the results quickly and directed at the right groups.
Development and promotion of effective technologies
The Institute is to develop long-term technology road maps jointly with other university and
extramural (Fraunhofer) research institutes for the different industries resp. sectors in Germany.
They will give the investors from research initiatives, for example the EU, the Federal Ministry
for Education and Research (BMBF), the Working Group of Industrial Research Associations (AiF) and
large scale industry ideas for sensible initiatives. On the other hand, these road maps form the
basis for own research projects, which are to be implemented jointly with other research institutes
as well as industrial partners.
Integration in university teaching
Courses at the University of Stuttgart will sensitise and sustainably activate the students
for the topic of energy efficiency. Doctoral projects are performed along with lectures, exercises
and practical courses, Bachelor and Master theses. In addition so-called “Summer Schools” are also
intended to achieve the international effect. As well as awarding prizes for excellent doctoral,
degree and master theses, the public awarding of prizes is also planned for special performances in
the sustainable increase of energy efficiency in production.
An advisory board is being founded for the Institute of Energy Efficiency in Production,
comprising opinion formers from politics, society and industry. This board has the task of
supporting the Institute in questions of strategy and in terms of communication. Belonging to the
Institute’s advisory board are personalities such as Prof. Klaus Töpfer, former Minister of the
Environment, UNO Commissioner for Environmental Protection and Head of the Institute for Advanced
Sustainability Studies (Climate Change, Earth System and Sustainability) (IASS) in Potsdam, Stephan
Kohler, Head of the German Energy Agency DENA, Professor Reimund Neugebauer, President of
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft and Dr. Carsten Rolle, Departmental Head Energy Policy, The Voice of German
Industry (BDI).
“The Foundation Institute EEP has a role model status“, according to Prof. Bauernhansl. “In
future we must work even closer together with industry in research and teaching in order to be able
to effectively strengthen the economic location of Germany with our scientific expertise. With its
focus on information and advice in the high-profile social issue of energy, the EEP is likewise
piloting new approaches. We look forward to the dialogue with the various groups in society.“
Your contact person:
Dr. Hans-Herwig Geyer, University Communication, University of Stuttgart
Tel.: 0711/685-82555, Email: hans-herwig.geyer [at] hkom.uni-stuttgart.de
Dr. Birgit Spaeth, Institut für Industrielle Fertigung und Fabrikbetrieb (IFF), University of
Stuttgart
Tel. 0711/970-1810, Email: birgit.spaeth [at] iff.uni-stuttgart.de
Homepage
www.eep.uni-stuttgart.de