LOEWE supports Fulda research project :
for the electrification of road freight transport

Wiesbaden/Fulda. Lorries contribute enormously to the high CO2 emissions of the transport sector. In the project "ZuBaTrans Future Concept Battery and Charging Network to Support the Ecological Transformation of Road Freight Transport", researchers at Fulda University of Applied Sciences are working with partners from business and research to develop solutions for using electric lorries more economically and in a more grid-friendly way. Minister of Science Timon Gremmels visited Fulda University of Applied Sciences today to find out more about the project and hand over a decision: the Hessian Ministry of Research, Arts and Culture is supporting "ZuBaTrans" with around 494,000 euros. The money comes from funding line 3 of the LOEWE research funding programme. It strengthens collaboration between enterprises and research.

"In the transport sector in particular, we need innovative approaches that bring together ecological sustainability, business viability and technological feasibility. 'ZuBaTrans' shows how Hessian universities are working together with enterprises on concrete solutions for the transformation of our business," said Science Minister Timon Gremmels. "With our LOEWE funding line 3, we are supporting cooperation that combines academic excellence with business and social relevance. In this way, we are making an important contribution to the climate-friendly modernisation of transport and strengthening Hesse as an innovation and research site."

Other partners in the research project are the Technical University of Darmstadt, Folivora Solutions GmbH in Mühltal and Alsuna Holding GmbH in Ober-Ramstadt. Together, they are working on software that taps into the potential of bidirectional charging systems. The batteries of electric lorries can not only absorb energy, but also feed it back into the power grid. In the event of fluctuating electricity generation from renewable energies, the vehicles could thus serve as mobile storage units and contribute to stabilising the grids. At the same time, there would be a business advantage for lorry fleet operators. The interdisciplinary network led by Fulda University of Applied Sciences is investigating how real driving profiles, battery utilisation and market conditions can be combined for this purpose.

"As a university, we see the ZuBaTrans project as a great opportunity to further strengthen our applied research and transfer in terms of sustainable solutions," says Prof Dr Karim Khakzar, President of Fulda University of Applied Sciences. "Such projects show how universities of applied research can implement new approaches and effectively support change processes together with partners from the business world."

Project manager Prof Dr Boris Zimmermann adds: "Our aim is to make reliable statements about the conditions under which bidirectional charging is worthwhile for enterprises. If we succeed in reducing the costs of electric trucks to the level of conventional vehicles, this could be a decisive breakthrough for the decarbonisation of road freight transport."

Folke Mühlhölzer, Chairman of the Management Board of HA Hessen Agentur GmbH, emphasises: "Projects like ZuBaTrans show how application-oriented research can provide concrete solutions for key future issues such as reducing CO2 emissions in freight transport. The combination of academic expertise and entrepreneurial practice provides a sustainable boost to Hessen's innovative strength."

About LOEWE

LOEWE is the Hessian program for the funding of cutting-edge research. The abbreviation stands for Landes-Offensive zur Entwicklung Wissenschaftlich-ökonomischer Exzellenz. In addition to supporting foundational research through the LOEWE centres and specialisations, funding line 3 is aimed at applied research and development. It supports research and development projects that are realised between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), universities and non-university research institutions. LOEWE funding line 3 is open to all sectors and technologies. More information on LOEWE can be found at loewe.hessen.de.