Department

Energy Infrastructure

The research area Energy Infrastructures analyses the energy supply for propulsion systems and consumers on ships. Potential fuel solutions are analysed with regards to their various forms of storage and purchase quantities. The entire supply chain for maritime, renewable fuels is taken into account: Starting with import by sea, to the import and bunker infrastructure in the harbour, to finally the storage on board.

This holistic approach makes it possible to optimally utilise the synergies between the individual process steps. The research also includes other energy storage systems such as batteries to enable the short and long-term storage of renewable energy.

News

October 1, 2026

New research facility for the bunkering of liquid hydrogen commissioned

With a new LH₂ refuelling station, the DLR aims to investigate, digitally model and optimise the transfer of liquid hydrogen under real-world conditions in future. Marine Service GmbH has been commissioned to build the facility. Delivery is scheduled for the end of 2028.

Projects

Hydrogen Tank Certification

The Hydrogen Tank Certification (HYTAZER) project aims to provide solutions for all aspects relevant to the certification of a hydrogen refuelling system. In this way, the overall goal of enabling the widespread use of hydrogen in various transport systems such as aerospace, rail, automotive and shipping can be achieved.

Novel Insulation Concepts for liquefied hydrogen storage tanks

The EU founded project NICOLHy aims to enhance the large scale storage and transport of liquefied hydrogen from the cost, energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability perspective.

Enabling the future of Waterborne Transportation focused on ports

FuturePorts

The FuturePorts project researches and develops technologies for the ports of the future, thereby actively shaping particularly important hubs and transhipment points for global trade and transport. Topics relating to automation, digitalisation, networking, energy supply and the efficiency of port processes are being addressed for waterway, road and rail modes of transport.

CLEANLIEST – assessing emissions and the climate impact of a hydrogen economy

In the CLEANLIEST project, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) is investigating both the climate impact and economic consequences of hydrogen as an energy carrier. Using a range of scenarios, the project investigates how a hydrogen-based transport economy could develop in Germany and worldwide by the year 2070.

Contact

Dr. Lars Baetcke

Head of Department
German Aerospace Center
Institute of Maritime Technologies and Propulsion Systems
Energy Infrastructure
Falckensteiner Str. 2, 24159 Kiel
Germany