Centre of Competence for Sustainable Engineering and Environmental Systems (ZEuUS)

The interdisciplinary Centre of Competence for Sustainable Engineering and Environmental Systems (ZEuUS) investigates the technical and systemic connections between the fields of energy and the environment. The way in which energy is converted and used directly affects the environment, and protection of the environment depends heavily on the energy used. Safeguarding the energy supply and protecting the basic conditions for life constitute central challenges for sustainable development throughout the world, in view of climate change and limited resources. The idea of sustainability therefore shapes the research work in the ZeuUS Centre of Competence from urban district planning, through water supply and disposal and energy, to the use of water technology.

The centre of competence engages with the current research and development issues in the topic areas of energy and the environment in the form of an interdisciplinary team of academics and engineers from the Departments of Civil Engineering (BAU), Life Science Engineering (LSE) and Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Materialstechnology(M).

Key areas of research

• High-temperature fuel cells for the use of natural gas and hydrogen, in combination with micro-gas turbines
• Energy efficiency, energy conversion and distribution in environmental systems, use of renewable energy
• Waste, water and waste water management, including nutrient elimination and recovery (e.g. phosphorous recycling), including with the use of micro-algae
• Adaptation to the consequences of climate change in urban areas, including CO₂ storage and use, linking of urban planning issues with aspects of environmental and climate protection
• Environmental analysis, eco-toxicology and bio-monitoring

Future areas of interest

• Decarbonisation, climate protection and sustainability
• Recycling economy, energy generation from areas of waste water treatment, among other things (e.g. phosphorous recycling, waste water heat and biogas from waste water)
• Use of hydrogen – including as a biogas – in high-temperature fuel cells; also for purposes of mobility, CO₂-neutral hydrogen cycle