State Secretary Dr. Friederike Haase, who is responsible for Lusatia in the State Chancellery, today handed over the notice of approval for the second funding application in chesco. More than 25 BTU departments are researching hybrid-electric and electric systems together with an interdisciplinary partner network.

At the Center for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus (chesco), scientists are developing alternative drive systems for the mobility sector with an interdisciplinary partner network. The aim of chesco is to accelerate the development time of innovative drive technologies by centrally bundling research, manufacturing and testing competencies. The project is now receiving a grant of around 11.3 million euros from the federal government's Structural Strengthening Act for the planning of research and production buildings and outdoor facilities in the technology and industrial park in the north of Cottbus, as well as for land acquisition. State Secretary Haase handed over the notification of funding for the second sub-project to Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, President of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), and the two project managers.

State Secretary Dr. Friederike Haase: "With an estimated total volume of 238 million euros, the center for research into alternative drive systems is one of our major projects under the Lusatian Structural Strengthening Act. With this project, Brandenburg is sensibly combining the funding opportunities offered by the law. Work has already begun - with an interim solution here in Werner-von-Siemens-Strasse in Cottbus. Now the next steps can be planned and implemented. This will create the basis for concrete investments to be made in the necessary buildings. We are creating a center for hybrid-electric and electric drives here that is unique in Europe, if not the world. I am therefore pleased that Rolls-Royce is involved from the very beginning."

"With the funding decision, we can start the second phase of the project," says a delighted BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande: "After determining the requirements, the chesco team is now planning and developing customized buildings and their equipment on the site of the future Lausitz Science Park. The aim is to carry out design, production and testing of alternative drives in one place in order to shorten innovation cycles. In this way, we can help to sustainably increase the competitiveness of the aviation and vehicle industry and create jobs."

The Center for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus is planning three buildings on an area of seven soccer fields, nearly 52,000 square meters. "The research center will serve to develop the design of hybrid electric systems, electrical and mechanical components, fuel cells, gas turbines and cooling systems," says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Höschler, one of the two project leaders in the venture. "Adapted to the individual needs of each project, the scientists and partners can work together in the co-working space and visualize the design developments, as well as results of analysis and testing in a virtual laboratory." After successful tests, prototypes can be manufactured on more than 150 machines and systems in the so-called "fast-make electrification research center" (f-merc), which are tested in the test center. "All processes are digitally networked," says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Georg Möhlenkamp, also project manager of chesco, adding, "This has the advantage that we can quickly intervene in processes and thus act with high flexibility. In this way, technologies can be quickly adapted to individual needs."

The Center for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus (chesco) is part of the BTU's Energy Reform and Decarbonization profile line. Project partners include the Institute of Electrified Aero Engines (DLR), several Fraunhofer institutes, ACCESS e.V. and industrial partners such as Rolls-Royce Germany. The financing of the building planning as well as the land acquisition in the chesco project is provided by the funding guideline of the Brandenburg State Chancellery for the structural development of Lusatia. The funds come from the federal government's Structural Strengthening Act. The Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB) has approved the second sub-project with approximately 11.3 million euros and issued the funding notice. Last year, the ILB already funded the project with around 39 million euros. In the coming years, a total of 238 million euros will be invested in the construction and equipment of the research center.