Future energy supply, made in Giessen : Two projects involving the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) have received the "Hessian State Prize for Innovative Energy Solutions." The FlexQuartier project was awarded first place in the System Integration category, while the ITEE association, an affiliated institute of THM , received the prize in the Young Talent category.
“The award ceremony in two categories is a testament to the excellent collaboration between energy suppliers and THMin Central Hesse over many years,” said Prof. Olaf Berger, who traveled to Kassel for the ceremony, where prizes were awarded for the best ideas in six thematic areas—electricity, heat, mobility, system integration, young talent, and social engagement—as part of the “Future Forum Energy & Climate.” Berger represented THM both as Vice President and as spokesperson for the Competence Center for Energy Technology and Energy Management (etem.THM), which implemented the FlexQuartier project and initiated the founding of ITEE.
The FlexQuartier, a new residential and commercial district in Giessen , funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action with nearly €4.6 million, is being developed. Its centerpiece is a hybrid storage system designed and built by THM . This system is designed to supply the district with both heat and electricity. Electricity generated by photovoltaic systems on the residential buildings that is not needed for the district's own use can be stored in the new system and used for charging electric vehicles as well as for heating the district. In addition to a battery storage system, a high-temperature storage system is primarily used, in which ceramic bricks are heated to up to 1200° Celsius – heat that can be converted back into electricity when needed. During the summer months, the district's heating needs can already be almost entirely met by the system itself. For the colder months, the Giessen municipal utility's district heating network, the main local partner in the project, is also available for heat supply.
They are also centrally involved in the second award-winning project: The "Institute for Transformation Tasks in the Energy Industry and Energy Technology" (ITEE) supports regional municipal utilities and energy suppliers in the transformation of their energy supply and infrastructure. Founded in 2023 as an association with the technical and legal support of THM , it operates as an affiliated institute of the university – a legally independent entity, yet organizationally and personnel-wise intertwined with the university, reporting to the Senate. Its purpose is to ensure the academic training of the staff of its member companies.
Hesse's Minister of Economic Affairs, Kaweh Mansoori, was impressed by the projects: "The energy transition thrives on innovation and commitment. With the Hessian State Prize, we want to highlight outstanding Hessian energy concepts and motivate other stakeholders to dedicate themselves to an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future." The award includes prize money: €7,500 for the System Integration category and €2,500 for the Young Talent category. All winners also receive a free promotional video. "Above all, these awards are recognition of the work of many dedicated colleagues," said Olaf Berger. It demonstrates that future-proof energy solutions are not only conceived at THM but also implemented. In the case of the high-capacity storage system from the FlexQuartier, it is so innovative that the university now intends to market it.
