Innovative heat pump in Cottbus: CO2 reduction for industry!

Innovative heat pump in Cottbus: CO2 reduction for industry!

In a particularly revealing event, the youth group of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy visited the DLR location in Cottbus on June 24, 2025. During this visit, the participants were allowed to take a look behind the scenes of the research institute, which deals with low-CO2 industrial processes. The innovative pilot system Cobra, which plays a key role in the development of climate-friendly technologies, received special attention.

The Cobra system is the result of two years of development work and offers an impressive heat output of around 200 kilowatts. With the help of a high-temperature heat pump, the system is possible to reach temperatures of up to 300 degrees Celsius. This technology represents an effective alternative to fossil fuels, especially in energy-intensive sectors such as paper, chemical and nutrition industry. [DLR] reports that the high-temperature heat pump can even be operated with regeneratively generated electricity.

Sustainable solutions for industry

The visit not only served to get to know the technical conditions, but also to discuss the current challenges in energy research. The exchange about strategies on how the research results can be implemented into concrete industrial projects shows that everyone involved wants to have a good knack for the future of energy supply. Finally, it is important to meet the increasing demands on sustainable production processes, since the pressure to reduce CO2 emissions is getting bigger.

A central point of the DLR project is the ability to provide process heat between 100 and 500 degrees Celsius. The Cobra system is a significant progress that could enable massive CO2 reduction in the industrial sector. [Photovoltaic] emphasizes that the heat pump, which can use air or Argon as a working medium, strives for much higher -developed prototypes to operate different industrial branches.

The way to the climate -neutral future

Another step on the way to climate neutrality is planned as part of the “Heat Wende 2045”. The aim is to heat and cool buildings by 2045. [Energy research] reports that innovative and user -friendly technological developments are promoted in order to increase the acceptance of these new solutions in the population. From the automated recording of building structures to improving the climate balance of new materials, research is carried out in many areas.

The challenges that arise from the supply in both densely populated and rural areas must also be addressed. The coordination of efforts between science, industry and the population is crucial to develop sustainable energy solutions that are not only efficient but also practical.

Overall, the visit to the young district of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy shows that the research is not only done in research, but also works specifically on how research results are used in industry. Enthusiasm for sustainable technologies is the first step into a green future that already promises great progress.