Fully on topic – Our research specialisms at the Institute of Future Fuels cover a broad spectrum. From CO2-neutral fuels, hydrogen as an energy carrier, recycling economy, low-emission base material production and heat transfer media to process evaluation. The following topic pages provide an insight into our research work.

CO₂-neutral fuels

Fuels form the basis of our mobility. Whether we are travelling by car, bus or plane - fuels provide the energy. They also play an important role in the background of our everyday lives, as they enable the global transport of raw materials and goods by lorry, ship or plane.

Hydrogen as energy carrier

Climate-friendly hydrogen is at the centre of the energy transition. With its high energy content, clean combustion and because it enables energy to be stored over longer periods of time, it can serve as a central energy vector. In the future, hydrogen will be an important energy source for various sectors, including industry, transport and traffic.

Recycling economy

The comprehensive establishment of a circular economy is essential for a sustainable industry. In this context, the DLR Institute of Future Fuels is looking in particular at carbon and sulphur cycles and the recycling of metals, and is developing processes to realise suitable industrial procedures in an efficient, resource-saving and economically viable manner.

Low-emission base material production

Base materials are intermediate products that serve as starting materials for the manufacture of various products. They form the basis for many components of everyday life, such as building materials, plastics, metals and food. Some of these basic materials require high temperatures for their production, which results in high CO₂ emissions. As an alternative to fossil energy sources, these temperatures can also be provided by sustainable concentrating solar thermal power (CSP).

Heat transfer media

In the solar production of fuels, solar energy is used to drive chemical production processes. There are two approaches for transferring solar energy to the reaction systems: direct transfer via optical systems or indirect energy transfer via heat transfer media.

Process evaluation

The aim of the Institute of Future Fuels' process evaluations is to identify those production processes that give society access to new fuels based on renewable energy sources at the lowest possible cost and with low emissions.