idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Greifswald, 30 June 2025 – Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is sending a strong signal for the transition to a climate-neutral energy future: State Secretary Jochen Schulte, representing Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Wolfgang Blank, today officially opened the new PtX plasma development environment at the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) in Greifswald. The facility is part of the state-wide Hydrogen MV research factory and marks an important milestone for the further development and establishment of innovative technologies for the energy transition in the northeast.
“With the innovative Hydrogen Research Factory MV project in Greifswald, we are investing specifically in a technology that has the potential to make hydrogen production more efficient and environmentally friendly,” explained Dr Wolfgang Blank, the Minister for Economic Affairs. ‘This research facility not only strengthens Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a centre of science, but also offers opportunities for the economic development of our region.’
The Hydrogen Research Factory MV is a joint project of the INP in Greifswald, the Fraunhofer Institute for Large Structures in Production Engineering (IGP) in Rostock, and the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT) in Rostock. The alliance's aim is to develop practical technologies for the green hydrogen economy that are application-oriented, decentralised and cross-sectoral.
Efficient, emission-free and versatile, plasmalysis at the INP
At the heart of the new research location is the development and testing of plasmalysis, a process for producing hydrogen from methane. Unlike conventional electrolysis, plasmalysis requires only around 20 per cent of the electrical energy, and it also produces solid carbon as a usable by-product. This process combines resource efficiency with climate protection, opening up new opportunities for value creation in various industries.
“Plasma technology can play a central role in phasing out fossil fuels,” emphasises Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Weltmann, Scientific Director and Chairman of the Board at INP. ‘With our new development environment, we can develop processes under real conditions for use in biogas plants, ports and mobile systems. This will enable the efficient, local supply of hydrogen and carbon close to where they will be needed for future energy supply.’
Plasmalysis is particularly well-suited to applications where hydrogen is to be used directly on site. Examples include:
• Biogas plants that convert green methane into emission-free hydrogen and solid carbon, which opens up new sources of income while removing CO₂ from the atmosphere in the long term;
• LNG terminals and port locations, where fossil liquefied natural gas (LNG) can be used in a more climate-friendly way;
• Maritime applications, where Plasmalysis can contribute to a low-emission energy supply directly on board, are another step towards climate-friendly propulsion solutions;
• Decentralised energy systems in industrial parks or rural regions, where the compact container design allows for flexible, grid-independent use.
Funding from the state has made Greifswald a location for innovation
The state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is supporting the establishment of the research factory in Greifswald with funding of over four million euros. This funding is part of a strategic investment programme financed by the European Union. The Ministry of Economic Affairs is using this programme to specifically support the transition to sustainable industry in the state.
The PtX plasma development environment in Greifswald also reinforces the city's position as an international centre of excellence for plasma technologies, an area of research that is becoming increasingly important for energy, environmental and industrial applications.
Symposium on hydrogen technologies highlights potential applications
Following the opening ceremony, a symposium organised by the HyCore hydrogen innovation cluster was held at the INP. Experts from industry and research presented innovative approaches to hydrogen and synthesis gas production from methane – for example, for biogas plants, maritime applications or decentralised energy supply.
Dr. Jan Hummel, project manager at the INP research factory, presented the key features of the new plasmalysis plant, outlined further planning and development, and highlighted its contribution to the energy transition and its intended industrial use.
State Secretary Jochen Schulte (center) joined INP Chairman Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Weltmann (left) a ...
Copyright: INP
State Secretary Jochen Schulte (center) during his speech at the opening of the new PtX plasma devel ...
Copyright: INP
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten, Wirtschaftsvertreter, Wissenschaftler
Energie, Physik / Astronomie
überregional
Forschungsprojekte
Englisch
Sie können Suchbegriffe mit und, oder und / oder nicht verknüpfen, z. B. Philo nicht logie.
Verknüpfungen können Sie mit Klammern voneinander trennen, z. B. (Philo nicht logie) oder (Psycho und logie).
Zusammenhängende Worte werden als Wortgruppe gesucht, wenn Sie sie in Anführungsstriche setzen, z. B. „Bundesrepublik Deutschland“.
Die Erweiterte Suche können Sie auch nutzen, ohne Suchbegriffe einzugeben. Sie orientiert sich dann an den Kriterien, die Sie ausgewählt haben (z. B. nach dem Land oder dem Sachgebiet).
Haben Sie in einer Kategorie kein Kriterium ausgewählt, wird die gesamte Kategorie durchsucht (z.B. alle Sachgebiete oder alle Länder).
