During the meeting of the Research Council of the University Alliance Ruhr on 01 July 2019, the competence field "Energy System Transformation" was decided and officially established.
Complementary and interdisciplinary focal points and structures in the field of energy research exist at all three universities of the UA Ruhr. Based on the existing close cooperation and joint projects, transdisciplinary energy research at the UA Ruhr is to be expanded - with a central focus on the interdisciplinary analysis of the overall system and, in particular, its transformation towards an energy system based on renewable energies. Through the competence field of energy system transformation, there is a strong strategic focus on this future-oriented topic. Energy research is to be expanded through collaborative projects to be acquired, with the joint approach identifying new research topics and projects for federal and state tenders and coordinating teaching opportunities.
Anchoring the topic of energy in the UA Ruhr is a clear recommendation from the Science Master Plan for Dortmund, as this can open up a uniquely broad, interdisciplinary and visible range of energy research.
Energie System Transformation
The transformation of the energy system in all sectors (electricity, transport and heat in households, commerce and industry) with electricity generated from renewable energies as generation is one of the major societal challenges of this century. In the coming decade, the course for development must be set in order to be able to achieve the CO2 reduction targets. Intensive research in this field is therefore indispensable and offers great potential for research and solutions for years to come.
The competence field considers the whole range of scientific, technical, legal, spatial planning, economic and sociological disciplines. This also creates necessary synergies for the promotion of young scientists and teaching. The Ruhr region in particular is home to the largest German companies in this field and is a potential cooperation partner and employer for graduates with this orientation.
At all three universities of the UA Ruhr, there are complementary and interdisciplinary focal points and structures in the field of energy research with a total of more than 75 leading scientists*. Based on the existing close cooperations and joint projects, energy research can be bundled with the central aspect of the interdisciplinary overall system view and in particular its transformation towards an energy system based on renewable energies.