The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota has established a strategic partnership with the Technical University Bergakedamie Freiberg, in Freiberg, Germany.
GRAND FORKS, N.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota has established a strategic partnership with the Technical University Bergakedamie Freiberg, in Freiberg, Germany, located about 200 miles south of Berlin in the southeast corner of Germany. The EERC is currently presenting at the 4th International Freiberg Conference, the leading European conference on cutting-edge advanced energy conversion technologies, and is expanding its partnership with Freiberg across many strategic coal and biomass utilization topics.
“The first Winkler gasifier and the first pressurized coal gasifier were developed in the area. Today, it continues to be a technology center for the gasification of fossil fuels and renewable energy resources”
“Freiberg is one of the premier institutions in the world focused on energy and environmental research and has several similarities to the EERC, which complement our skill sets,” said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold. “We are very interested in continuing to foster a working collaboration with Freiberg to further demonstrate and commercialize advanced power systems around the globe.”
Founded in 1765, Freiberg’s academics, teaching, and research have reflected a practical orientation responding to the demands of industry. With its four core themes—geosciences, materials, energy, and environment, it has a very distinct profile addressing the specific issues of the modern industrial nation of Germany.
“TU Bergakedamie Freiberg’s goal-oriented implementation of research results is guaranteed by the long-standing practice and close cooperation and exchange with business and industry,” said Bernd Meyer, Professor at the Institute for Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering and Current Director of the University. “It is the EERC’s similar culture which makes a partnership so intriguing, and together, we hope to make great strides forward to develop technologies that are essential for our economy and our society,” he said.
Freiberg is one of the first institutions to develop technologies that convert coal-to-liquid fuels and chemicals by pyrolysis, as well as coal gasification technologies. Freiberg is currently working with several corporate entities to commercialize integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) power systems.
Meyer said the Saxony region, where Freiberg is located, has a long tradition in the development of gasification of brown coal, waste, and biomass. “The first Winkler gasifier and the first pressurized coal gasifier were developed in the area. Today, it continues to be a technology center for the gasification of fossil fuels and renewable energy resources,” he said.
“Gasification and gas treatment are the key processes for near-zero emission power plants on the basis of IGCC technology as well as for the syntheses of liquid chemicals and transportation fuels from coal, natural gas, or biomass,” said Carsten Heide, EERC Associate Director for Intellectual Property Management and Technology Commercialization. “These common elements provide the possibility to use synergy effects for the benefit of both technology routes and their development.”
