On May 8, a status seminar on the current research projects at the Zittau Power Plant Laboratory (ZKWL) of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences was held at the Stadtwerke Zittau GmbH facility, attended by representatives of the Saxon Development Bank (SAB), the Saxon State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Transportation (SMWA), and Stadtwerke Zittau.

Following the seminar, Mr. Florian Schäfer, Head of the Energy Division at the SMWA, opened European Week 2017. In his address, he emphasized the special significance of the European Union for the funding of research projects in the Free State of Saxony.

Afterward, the participants toured the ZKWL’s test facilities. Project staff from the respective facilities explained the operating principles and capabilities of the thermal energy storage system (THERESA), the magnetic and trap bearing test bench (MFLP), and the thermochemical test field (TCV).

The THERESA test facility is used to simulate and analyze thermal cycle processes in relation to scientific questions regarding the flexibility of thermal energy systems.

The MFLP test stand is used to investigate the behavior of a magnetic-bearing rotor under operating conditions in a steam atmosphere up to 3 bar and 250 °C. Magnetic bearings enable a significant reduction in friction losses, which must be dissipated by oil coolers in hydrodynamic bearing systems.

The TCV test facility consists of a thermal and cold storage test system with a total of three test stations (1 cold storage unit and 2 thermal storage units). The installed cold storage unit is used for investigations of a wide variety of fill materials and for measuring volumetric flow rate, inlet and outlet temperatures, pressure loss, and temperatures within the fill material.

During European Week (May 9–12, 2017), the Zittau Power Plant Laboratory saw a steady stream of visitors. Among the guests were Birgit Benz and Dr. Gretel Wittenburg from the Central EU Service Facility Saxony (ZEUSS). We also welcomed Mr. Steve Kazalla from the Saxon State Ministry of Science and the Arts (SMWK), Ms. Mandy Schipke and Mr. Lukas Rohleder from Energy Saxony e. V., the participants of the Central German Regional Conference of the Junior Chamber International (MiRKo 2017), and interested members of the public.

In addition, guided tours of the power plant laboratory were held for students, former and current employees of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, and for students from the Sino-German University of Applied Sciences (CDHAW).

In addition to the tours of the experimental facilities, a number of interesting discussions took place on the sidelines of European Week, which are of significant importance for the future activities of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, particularly for research and development in the field of energy efficiency.

A special highlight of European Week was the visit to the “Kleine Stadtentdecker” preschool. The water-steam process was explained in a playful way using a small steam engine. The children showed enthusiastic interest in the test facilities and curiously asked the project staff questions. Our researcher Christian Vogel demonstrated that the day-to-day work of engineers isn’t as boring as one might think by preparing automated Lego Mindstorms vehicles for the kindergarten group. After so many fascinating experiences, we may have sparked an interest in studying STEM subjects at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences.

The IPM, as the organizer of European Week at the Zittau Power Plant Laboratory, would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all visitors and supporters who contributed to this interesting exchange.