DLR receives 130 million euros in funding support from the BMDV – Wissing: Milestone for climate-friendly mobility
The German Aerospace Centre (DLR – Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) has been awarded 130 million euros in funding support from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV – Bundesministerium für Digital and Transport) for the construction of the PtL Technology Platform (TPP – Technologieplattform PtL). The research facility in Leuna, Saxony-Anhalt, will be used to explore and develop technologies for the production of electricity-based fuels on an industrial scale.
Federal Minister Dr Volker Wissing: “The launch of the power-to-liquid fuels technology platform in Leuna is a milestone on the pathway towards climate-friendly mobility. The world’s first facility in which electricity-based fuels are being tested fully integrated across the entire technology chain and on an industrial scale is being constructed at this traditional site in Saxony-Anhalt. The aim is to ramp up production of the fuels. We need these fuels to achieve our climate protection targets. Germany should continue to be the technology leader in this field. By providing comprehensive funding support to establish and operate the technology platform, the federal government is creating the necessary conditions for technological innovation. I am delighted that several companies have already expressed their interest in conducting research on the platform and developing the fuels of tomorrow.”
The DLR was selected by the BMDV in a competitive call for funding in 2023 to develop detailed plans for the TPP in Leuna. The BMDV has already provided around 5.48 million euros for this planning phase. With the handover of the funding decision, the project is now entering the realisation phase. This will create jobs in the areas of construction, plant operation and research on a part of the Leuna chemical site.
Largest research facility to date for the industrial production of electricity-based fuels
The concept of the research facility is based on two strands that build on each other: In the facility’s research strand, DLR will work with science and industry to test innovative technologies and processes. The researchers will carry out detailed scientific analyses and optimise individual components. The focus of the demonstration strand will be on the campaign operation of a semi-industrial plant for the production of electricity-based fuels with a capacity of 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes per year. This would currently make the TPP the world’s largest research facility in the field of electricity-based fuels.
Image: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)