In the scope of a future-oriented collaboration in the field of industrial production, Germany’s Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is cooperating with the VSB–Technical University of Ostrava, in the Czech Republic (VSB-TUO). The partners research and develop the potential offered by energy management technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent production in industry. The collaboration provides production companies with innovative solutions, which they can in turn use to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This builds on over five years of successful collaboration between the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU, the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT and the VSB-TUO. The ambitious venture commenced operation on 1 June 2021.
“In times of climate change, we need ambitious research-based solutions that industry and business can use to effectively reduce CO2 emissions while strengthening competitiveness,” said Reimund Neugebauer, President of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. “Our cooperation with the VSB–Technical University of Ostrava and the Czech Republic sets a strong example in Europe. Across countries, we combine expertise in key technologies such as artificial intelligence, next-generation computing, energy management and manufacturing. Together we create an attractive research and development offer for companies and support them in implementing trailblazing solutions for smart and sustainable manufacturing processes. This is the basis for the creation of value chains based on ethical principles. The partnership between the Czech Republic and Germany thus also makes a contribution to the Green Deal of the EU.”
The cooperation’s objective is to research and develop innovative thermal energy storage systems in the industry on the basis of modular concepts for energy storage and heat recovery systems. They link this approach with solutions for digital production technologies and integration in process chains.
Advanced and highly specialised AI applications are a decisive factor in every step along this process. On this basis, the partners are creating a broad portfolio of research and development offerings for companies and partners in industry. This puts the industry in a position to improve its energy balance and reduce CO2 emission while simultaneously improving production.