HSZG at the Saxon Energy Days 2026
The HSZG and Saxony⁵ will be showcasing innovative energy research and practical solutions for the energy transition at the Saxon Energy Days 2026.
The Saxon Energy Days 2026 kicked off at the end of April. 90 events throughout Saxony will make energy knowledge understandable, tangible and suitable for everyday use until May 23, 2026. Under the motto "New energies for Saxony", companies, municipalities and initiatives will show how renewable energies work and can be used. The offer ranges from lectures and discussions to excursions and plant tours. The HSZG with the joint project Saxony⁵ was also present with exhibition stands and lectures at the start of the Saxon Energy Days.
"The Saxon Energy Days show in concrete terms how the energy transition works in everyday life - comprehensible, practical and accessible to everyone," said Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Dirk Panter at the start of the Saxon Energy Days. And addressed to the public, companies and citizens, Panter explained: "You will be surprised to see where renewable energies in Saxony are already ensuring that electricity is generated cheaply and sustainably - and thus also enabling heat supply, mobility and economic development. "
HSZG at “Energy Needs Networks”: Presentation of the DC-LabSaxony Project
At the end of April 2026, representatives of civil society and energy policy experts were also surprised and impressed by the diversity of research being conducted at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in the field of energy economics. The HSZG and its collaborative project Saxony⁵ presented their work, among other things, at the “Energy Needs Networks” networking event (April 24) organized by the Entwicklungsgesellschaft Niederschlesische Oberlausitz mbH in Görlitz. Jonas Pfeiffer, a junior researcher at HSZG, drew attention to HSZG’s offerings in the area of regional and municipal heat supply. “The Görlitz district produces far more renewable electricity than it can consume. The grids are at their limit in terms of feed-in capacity. It’s not just about simulations and optimization models in the office—it’s about providing concrete support to help municipalities and public utilities better understand and plan their systems,” argues Jonas Pfeiffer.
At “Energy Needs Networks,” Prof. Dr. Stefan Kornhuber from the HSZG’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science also presented the DC-LabSaxony project , a collaboration between HSZG and TU Dresden. The goal of the project is to explore the potential of medium-voltage DC grids in the energy sector and to develop sustainable solutions for high-power applications. As a reminder: AC (Alternating Current) stands for alternating current, while DC (Direct Current) is synonymous with direct current. “The DC-LabSaxony serves as the starting point for extensive research in the field of direct-current technology in the tri-state region. The transition to renewable energy and changing consumption patterns present us with new challenges. DC grids offer forward-looking solutions for the energy transition, particularly in the integration of storage systems, e-mobility, and the power supply for industrial facilities, ” says Prof. Dr. Stefan Kornhuber, the professor in charge at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences.
Scientific Booth at the “Görlitz District Energy Party”
The HSZG was also represented with a scientific booth at the “Görlitz District Energy Party” (April 25): Here, visitors and interested incoming freshmen could learn about the wide range and impact of energy research and the academic programs offered by the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. From heat supply to heat storage and integration with electrical power grids, there was plenty to discover. Heat pumps, piston compressors, and latent heat storage systems—hands-on technology and direct dialogue with the public. “With Saxony⁵, we have a format that can effectively connect the university, municipalities, industry, and society. Not as a showcase, but as a working platform. Not just as a project concept, but as genuine support for local energy and heat users, ” said the Saxony⁵ project team.
Challenges for grid operators remain
The diverse presentations and projects of the HSZG and Saxony⁵ were rounded off on April 26 in Dresden at the official kick-off event of the Energy Days for citizens and with energy stakeholders at the SachsenNetze headquarters in Dresden. "The many conversations with people at the stand give hope and show that there is broad support for the energy transition and that our energy research is highly relevant. However, it also became clear what challenges grid operators such as SachsenNetze are currently facing - from smart meter roll-out to grid expansion - and that these challenges are only of a limited technical nature," says Martin Herling, project employee in the energy transfer field at Saxony⁵.
Would you like to see how energy research from Upper Lusatia is contributing to the energy transition—and find out what you can do at home? Come visit us at one of our upcoming events:
Energy Research Action Day
When: Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 2:30–6:00 p.m.
Where: Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences – Power Plant Laboratory
Schliebenstraße, 02763 Zittau
Smart Homes for Seniors
When: Friday, May 29, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: CELSIUZ in the Mandauhöfe, 2nd floor
Äußere Oybiner Straße 16, 02763 Zittau
Text: Frank Leberecht
1st floor
1st floor
1st floor
2nd upper floor
