Initiative
The Clean Energy Research Initiative (CERI) deals with current and future challenges in the field of energy technology as a research cooperation between RWTH Aachen University and Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Within CERI, Chinese and German scientists are working together on solutions for clean and sustainable electrical power supply. A central aspect of the cooperation is the regular exchange of scientists between the research institutions.
Students are the innovation drivers of tomorrow. Therefore, we promote the student exchange between Germany and China through our own funding program CERI Scholarship. We offer students the opportunity to work on current research topics. They can participate in joint projects by means of writing a thesis abroad, for example.
Frequent workshops
In addition to the exchange of scientists, the entire interdisciplinary team meets in frequent workshops for the evaluation of current projects and technical discussions.
In order to meet the current energy technology challenges, a close cooperation between industry and research is particularly important. For this reason, industry representatives are always welcome at our workshops.
The main objectives of our research are current topics in energy technology, such as decarbonized power generation, digitization of the energy sector and big data analysis. Our strength is the synergy between the research institutions. Through intercultural exchange, the scientists benefit from mutual experiences and insights into the different energy markets.
Within the Initiative CERI, Chinese and German scientists are working together on solutions for clean and sustainable electrical power supply. A central aspect of the cooperation is the regular exchange of scientists between the research institutions.
Students are the innovation drivers of tomorrow. Therefore, we promote the student exchange between Germany and China through our own funding program CERI Scholarship. We offer students the opportunity to work on current research topics. They can participate in joint projects by means of writing a thesis abroad, for example.
Frequent workshops
In addition to the exchange of scientists, the entire interdisciplinary team meets in frequent workshops for the evaluation of current projects and technical discussions.
In order to meet the current energy technology challenges, a close cooperation between industry and research is particularly important. For this reason, industry representatives are always welcome at our workshops.
The main objectives of our research are current topics in energy technology, such as decarbonized power generation, digitization of the energy sector and big data analysis. Our strength is the synergy between the research institutions. Through intercultural exchange, the scientists benefit from mutual experiences and insights into the different energy markets.
Framework
Super-C, RWTH Aachen University. Image credit: Martin Braun
Cooperation between Tsinghua University and RWTH Aachen University since many years
The RWTH Aachen University as well as the Tsinghua University are among the best technical universities in Germany and China. A cooperation agreement between these two universities exists since 1981, making it one of the first research collaborations ever between Germany and China.
Since that time, the cooperation has been steadily intensified. On the request of the ministries responsible for education in Germany and China, a joint double master program was launched in 2001. Students of both universities have the opportunity to achieve an additional Master’s degree at the partner university within the framework of a two-semester stay. In 2013, a joint strategic partnership was adopted in the form of a new framework contract. Since that time, at least 12 joint third-party funded applications, at least 25 joint scientific publications and the exchange of more than 600 scientists and students have followed from this Strategic Partnership (status of May 2016).
Old Gate, Tsinghua University
Joint Research Lab as a framework of bi-national research laboratories
With the official accreditation of a Joint Research Lab by the Chinese Ministry of Education (MoE) in 2015, a framework for building bi-national research laboratories with high international visibility and reputation by means of mutual research stays, joint publications and pre-competitive research with industry partners, has been established.
The first established laboratory was the “Joint Research Laboratory for Innovative Design and Manufacturing of Advanced Mechanical Systems” in 2015, in which several research institutes from both universities are involved. Within this laboratory, first joint projects have already started.
In 2017, the Clean Energy Research Initiative was launched based on a long-standing cooperation of the RWTH Aachen University Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines and the BP Clean Energy Research and Education Center from Tsinghua University. The Clean Energy Research Initiative has been integrated into the framework of the Joint Research Lab.
Super-C, RWTH Aachen University. Image credit: Martin Braun
Cooperation between Tsinghua University and RWTH Aachen University since many years
The RWTH Aachen University as well as the Tsinghua University are among the best technical universities in Germany and China. A cooperation agreement between these two universities exists since 1981, making it one of the first research collaborations ever between Germany and China.
Since that time, the cooperation has been steadily intensified. On the request of the ministries responsible for education in Germany and China, a joint double master program was launched in 2001. Students of both universities have the opportunity to achieve an additional Master’s degree at the partner university within the framework of a two-semester stay. In 2013, a joint strategic partnership was adopted in the form of a new framework contract. Since that time, at least 12 joint third-party funded applications, at least 25 joint scientific publications and the exchange of more than 600 scientists and students have followed from this Strategic Partnership (status of May 2016).
Old Gate, Tsinghua University
Joint Research Lab as a framework of bi-national research laboratories
With the official accreditation of a Joint Research Lab by the Chinese Ministry of Education (MoE) in 2015, a framework for building bi-national research laboratories with high international visibility and reputation by means of mutual research stays, joint publications and pre-competitive research with industry partners, has been established.
The first established laboratory was the “Joint Research Laboratory for Innovative Design and Manufacturing of Advanced Mechanical Systems” in 2015, in which several research institutes from both universities are involved. Within this laboratory, first joint projects have already started.
In 2017, the Clean Energy Research Initiative was launched based on a long-standing cooperation of the RWTH Aachen University Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines and the BP Clean Energy Research and Education Center from Tsinghua University. The Clean Energy Research Initiative has been integrated into the framework of the Joint Research Lab.
Partner
Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines, RWTH Aachen University
The Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines (IKDG) was founded in 1963 as a spin-off of the former Institute for Turbomachinery of RWTH Aachen University. Since that time, IKDG has been involved in excellent research with the focus on stationary turbomachinery. The main research topics at IKDG include the design and manufacturing of test rigs and the attendant measurement technology, the experimental investigation of turbomachinery and its components, the numerical analysis of complex flow and heat transfer phenomena in turbomachinery as well as the modeling and optimization of energy systems.
Tsinghua BP Clean Energy Research & Education Center
The Tsinghua BP Clean Energy Research and Education Center (THCEC) was officially founded on July 23th, 2003. The THCEC is an independent, interdisciplinary research center of Tsinghua University. The aim of the center is to build a world-class research center of China’s energy strategy. The THCEC integrates the research capabilities on energy technology, energy systems, energy strategy and energy policy at Tsinghua University and also other domestic and foreign organizations.
Team
Academic Leadership
General Management
Team
Academic Leadership
General Management
Researcher
Researcher
