DLR Executive Board awards "Exceptional Achievements in Science 2025" to Dr Hans Christian Gils
Simone Ahlers
- The title "DLR Exceptional Achievements in Science" was awarded for the first time this year, succeeding the "DLR Senior Scientist" award. It is considered one of the highest honours bestowed by the DLR in the scientific field.
- Hans Christian Gils from the Institute of Networked Energy Systems received the award for his outstanding achievements in sector-integrated energy system modelling, among other things.
- Gils was honoured at this year's Science BBQ at the DLR site in Oldenburg by Chair of the Executive Board Prof. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla.
- Focus: Awards, Energy System Modelling, Energy Systems Analysis
Dr Hans Christian Gils, from the Institute of Networked Energy Systems, has been awarded the title "DLR Exceptional Achievements in Science 2025" for his outstanding scientific achievements. The Chair of the DLR Executive Board, Prof. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla , honoured the 41-year-old physicist and engineer on 1 July 2025 at the annual Science BBQ at the DLR site in Oldenburg, among other things, for his excellent expertise in the field of sector-integrating energy system modelling, his highly cited publications, and his high reputation in the scientific community. The title "DLR Exceptional Achievements in Science" was awarded for the first time this year as a successor to the "DLR Senior Scientist" award and is considered one of the highest honours awarded by DLR in the scientific field.
Hans Christian Gils' career at DLR began in 2010 in the former Department of Systems Analysis and Technology Assessment at the Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics in Stuttgart. There, he founded the Energy System Modelling research group in 2019, which he has been leading since 2021 under the umbrella of the Institute of Networked Energy Systems in an unusual constellation with a twin group based in Oldenburg. Gils was instrumental in shaping the joint leadership concept and, with his leadership qualities, contributed to the development of a cross-site "we-feeling" among all group members.
Gils' research focuses within energy system modelling include sector integration, hydrogen, and resilience. A milestone in the planning of future energy systems is the REMix modelling tool, which was developed over the course of a long-term scenario analysis at the DLR. Gils has been instrumental in shaping the tool's content and strategic development for years. The tool has been available online since September 2023 and takes into account various technologies across sectors to model future energy systems on a national or international scale. This DLR-developed software has already been widely used in industry and research applications. With 1747 citations, REMix is currently the most successful software in the Energy System Design programme of the Helmholtz Association.
By leading several major third-party funded projects within a few years, Gils has given DLR prominence in industry, politics, and society. For example, the New Zealand-German Platform for Green Hydrogen Integration, in cooperation with the University of Canterbury and the University of Auckland in New Zealand, has created numerous synergies among all parties involved and has already attracted the interest of both governments. In the Drive2X project, REMix is being used to investigate the marketability of feeding back energy from vehicle batteries into the power grid. The impact on emissions in the European energy system is being researched using charging stations for battery vehicles in several European cities.
In addition to his practice-oriented and often policy-relevant work, Hans Christian Gils has established a reputation in the scientific community with numerous publications. According to Scopus, he has 1839 citations. His most successful paper as sole author has over 350 citations alone. He can refer to more than 60 conference contributions at national and international conferences. This reputation is having an impact: Gils' publications are being used by renowned institutions such as the International Energy Agency, the OECD, the European Commission, and the United Nations. Furthermore, he is significantly strengthening the training of young scientists by supervising and evaluating doctoral theses – both within DLR and at universities in Finland, Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand. Thus, he is also making a significant contribution to the success of the energy transition.
"On behalf of the Institute of Networked Energy Systems, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Hans Christian Gils on this outstanding award," says Institute Director Prof. Carsten Agert. "I am grateful that we have such an impressive scientific personality with us at the institute. The 'Exceptional Achievements in Science' award is a well-deserved recognition of his years of commitment – as an analytical thinker and doer, but also as a networker, promoter of young talent, team player, and leader. Hans Christian Gils has made a significant contribution to making energy system modelling one of the flagship areas of our institute."