Efficient electricity and heat supply, sustainable mobility, or solutions against energy poverty – these and other topics are currently presented by researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) in Greece. This event, which is considered the most important exhibition in Greece and focuses on new technologies, innovation, and sustainable development, welcomes Germany as this year’s guest country. While visiting the “German Pavilion” with its 6,000 square meters, Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, exchanged views and ideas with KIT scientists on their current research. Cem Özdemir, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, also visited the KIT pavilion.
The TIF, which is being held for the 88th time this year, encourages creative and strategic cooperations on the national and international levels. The organizers expect around 210,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors. Under the umbrella brand “Made in Germany”, companies, research organizations, and associations from all over Germany present their innovations, jointly with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
“New technologies play a decisive role in the struggle against climate change. This is the only way for us to develop sustainable solutions and innovative approaches for efficient energy systems, while reducing emissions and fostering a circular economy,” says Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. “I’m enjoying the exchange of ideas with the KTI researchers at the TIF, who, thanks to interdisciplinary research and close cooperation, set standards for a more climate-friendly future.”
“KIT cooperates with partners from research and industry worldwide, and, of course, also in Greece. The fair is an excellent platform for promoting the transfer of technology into industry and society, presenting innovations, fostering relationships with institutions in Thessaloniki, and establishing new contacts,” says Professor Thomas Hirth, Vice President Transfer and International Affairs at KIT.
Sustainable Energy Supply, Mobility, and the City of the Future
In keeping with the motto, “Research and Innovation for a Sustainable Future,” the KIT researchers present their innovations on topics such as sustainable mobility, efficient energy storage, housing concepts in times of climate change, or air quality in the atmosphere and in the cities.
For example, the researchers in the BiFlow project demonstrate new options for cost and space-efficient power and heat supply. The expansion of renewable energies requires adequate storage capacities. In BiFlow, a hybrid storage system is being developed that combines the advantages of lithium-ion batteries, such as high energy and power densities as well as high efficiency, with the advantages of vanadium flow batteries, i.e. their long service life and non-flammability. In addition, the electrolyte tanks of vanadium flow batteries serve as heat accumulators. This heat can be used for heating the water in the building, thus increasing the overall efficiency of the system.
With the OTRACE project, the KIT researchers intend to drive the change from diesel-fueled vehicles to alternative drive systems, which is taking place in public transportation. To reduce their energy consumption and thereby increase the range, the researchers combine the data from individual vehicles or vehicle fleets. For this purpose, information from the vehicles is transferred to a cloud and evaluated there to realize energy-saving potentials in the vehicles.
Besides the two exhibits at the KIT pavilion, the scientists showcase more research results and projects, present their research topics in lectures, and participate in panel discussions. Moreover, they exchange views and ideas with other representatives from politics, such as the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, and with cooperation partners directly from Thessaloniki, such as Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, CERTH – The Centre for Research & Technology, or the Thessaloniki Innovation & Technology Center.
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Detailed caption: At the Thessaloniki International Fair, the KIT researchers exchanged views and ideas with politicians from Germany and Greece. (From left to right: Sandra Kauffmann-Weiß, InnovationsCampus “Future Mobility”, KIT; Thomas Hirth, Vice President Transfer and International Affairs, KIT; Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action; Cem Özdemir, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture; Konstantinos Tsiaras, Greek Minister of Rural Development and Food) (Photo: Leipziger Messe International)
Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.