Statement on the 8th Energy Research Program

Helmholtz Energy submitted a statement as part of the consultation process conducted by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) on the further development of the 8th Energy Research Program. The consultation aims to further develop the missions and research objectives of the existing program and to incorporate and take into account ideas for the federal government’s future energy research program.

• Helmholtz Energy’s key recommendations are summarized below. Further details and mission-specific recommendations for action can be found in the full statement and the appendix.
• Accelerate the transformation: Energy research should be more strongly focused on accelerating the transformation of the energy system while simultaneously advancing climate protection, security of supply, and competitiveness.
• Strengthen resilience and technological leadership: Strategic priorities must be more strongly aligned with the key dimensions of resilience and security of supply, competitiveness and technological leadership, as well as sustainability.
• Setting new priorities: Helmholtz Energy recommends introducing a standalone mission titled “Materials and Resources for the Energy Transition” and establishing artificial intelligence as a strategic cross-cutting theme.
• Putting Transfer at the Center: Transfer should be established as a cross-cutting priority for all missions in order to translate research findings more quickly into practical applications, value creation, and societal impact.