"Zittau research project advances the energy transition"
On October 23, Saxony's Energy Minister Wolfram Günther handed over the funding decision for the "AQVA HEAT III" research and development project to the HSZG and other project partners.
Press release from the Saxon State Ministry for Energy, Climate Protection, Environment and Agriculture dated 23.10.2024:
Saxony's Energy Minister Wolfram Günther handed over a funding decision for the "AQVA HEAT III" research and development projectto the project sponsors in Zittau on Wednesday (23/10). The basic idea is to develop bodies of water as an efficient energy source for heat pumps (aquathermics). Instead of the fluorine-based refrigerants that have dominated up to now, a pumpable water-ice mixture is used. This avoids risks to the environment. The 3rd project phase now being funded comprises the commissioning, long-term testing and scientific monitoring of the research facilities. The funding amounts to a good 3.7 million euros until February 2027 and is being provided via the Energy and Climate funding program of the Saxon Ministry of Energy, which was newly established in 2023.
The project conducts application-oriented research for the energy transition. That is important to us. The aim is to expand and optimize various climate-neutral technologies in Saxony. The potential for aquathermal energy in particular is huge. After all, we have the large water areas of the former opencast lignite mines. Against the backdrop of the climate crisis and because we are on the path to climate neutrality, we need these technologies for a sustainable heat supply. At the same time, we have a suitable and good research landscape in Saxony. I am very pleased that AQVA HEAT has made such good progress. We have already awarded the eku Prize 2020 for the development of the technical approach and are now promoting the application of the results. I wish AQVA HEAT III the best possible success and great appeal.
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Researchers at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, together with their project partners, are taking a step closer to realizing the dream of tapping into a heat source that has received little attention to date but is environmentally friendly and usable year-round. With funding from the next funding period, the AQVA-HEAT technology can be tested in selected bodies of water, and efforts to harness this innovative technology for demand-driven and resource-efficient heat supply can be accelerated. The researchers thus aim to make a positive contribution to the upcoming heating transition and, in doing so, support heating supply companies and equipment manufacturers by making the AQVA-HEAT technology available.
”- Optimization and demonstration in real operation, transfer of results to science and industry
- Project-specific implementation and presentation of the approval process at two locations / water body types for long-term operation
- Development of a basis for identifying and reducing any barriers to aquathermal projects
- Evaluation of the economic viability of AQVA HEAT technology
The project partners are the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (Institute for Process Engineering, Process Automation, and Measurement Technology) as the project coordinator, the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructure and Geothermal Energy IEG (including, among others, Zittau) and the Institute for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, a non-profit limited liability company (ILK Dresden). The project is supported by the municipal utilities of Weißwasser and Zittau and the district of Görlitz. This support is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as well as state funds from the Free State of Saxony.
For us, the AQVA HEAT III project represents not only a significant step forward in research on climate-neutral heat generation, but also an important signal for the Upper Lusatia region and beyond. By further developing aquathermal technology, we are contributing to the sustainable energy transition and strengthening Saxony’s innovative capacity. Our successful collaboration with renowned partners demonstrates that the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is a reliable driving force behind practical, future-proof solutions—for our region and for the heating transition throughout Germany.
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