New call for proposals of the Economic Affairs Ministry to accelerate the heat transition

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck said: "Energy research and the innovative capabilities of companies in Germany make a substantial contribution to the success of the heat transition. We want to expand the lead in knowledge and make broad use of research findings more quickly. We can thus master the transformation, secure future energy supply and provide a boost for the economy in our country. Promoting heat research now is an investment in the energy system of tomorrow. I invite all creative minds in research and industry to contribute their expertise, ideas and commitment."
In the context of the call for proposals "climate-neutral heat and cold", companies and research institutions are invited to participate in a competition for ideas for the best research projects which can help to accelerate the heat transition.

Funding will be provided for research and demonstration projects where companies and research institutions work together with the aim to speed up the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector. The main findings will be published so that especially municipalities, skilled craft firms and heat providers can benefit from them.

The call for proposals will be financed from the energy research budget of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, which is allocating €600 million in 2022 alone.

Examples of research topics of this specific call for proposals are:

• automation: manufacturers of heat pumps can advance automation in the production of heat pumps and the use of climate-friendly refrigerants. There are several research approaches which can be further developed;
• climate-friendly materials: the real estate and building sectors are called upon to test and optimise innovative, prefabricated insulating and construction materials which are produced in a climate-friendly way and can be recycled;
• municipalities and district heating networks: municipal heat providers are called upon to test how solar thermal energy, geothermal energy and biomass can be integrated into district heating networks by using innovative technologies such as large-scale heat pumps, seasonal heat storage systems and new regulation concepts.
  

Details can be found here:
https://www.energieforschung.de/antragsteller/foerderangebote/foerderaufruf-klimaneutrale-waerme-und-kaelte

You can find more information about energy research at: www.energieforschung.de