Based in the structural change region of Lusatia, the “Cluster Dekarbonisierung der Industrie” (CDI) supports the transformation process of industry towards climate neutrality as a source of ideas and multiplier. As an interdisciplinary network, it mobilizes expertise and synergies to advance solutions at the interface of science, business, politics and administration. It serves a Germany-wide partner network and was founded on the initiative of four Cottbus institutions, the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, the “DLR-Institut für CO2-arme Industrieprozesse”, the “Fraunhofer-Institut für Energieinfrastrukturen und Geothermie” and the “Kompetenzzentrum für Klimaschutz in energieintensiven Industrien”.

The Cottbus “Energie-Innovationszentrum” is one of the most dynamic energy research locations in Germany. More than 70 scientists from BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, which has traditionally focussed on energy research, work there in six networked laboratories together with over 40 partners from industry and science on solutions and technologies for a climate-neutral energy supply in Lusatia and worldwide. The focus is on interdisciplinary research with international visibility, industry proximity and product orientation as well as training and further education programmes for companies and scientists.

Energiequelle GmbH has been active in the renewable energy market since 1997 with the development, construction and operation of energy storage systems, transformer stations, wind energy and photovoltaic systems. One of the many flagship projects from all over Europe is the ‘Green Lausitzring’ project, in which the eponymous race track and other large-scale energy consumers in the surrounding area are supplied with electricity and heat completely self-sufficiently using renewable energies. Part of the endeavour includes the company’s first Enercon E-126 wind turbine, which at 7.5 megawatts is the most powerful wind turbine in the world to date.

As a member of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) – the largest party in the European Parliament with 40 parties from 26 EU member states – Brandenburg MEP Dr Christian Ehler is hosting the Decarbon Days EU Summit. Just like the EPP itself, he is in favour of rethinking the European energy supply. In order to be able to guarantee affordability, sustainability and security in the future, a transnational initiative with investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy infrastructure is needed.

The Fraunhofer IEG is shaping the climate-neutral energy systems of the future and, together with its partners, is developing ideas from the sketch to implementation for sustainable process heat supply, reliable heating networks and affordable energy supply for neighborhoods. It turns geothermal energy into a resource for the future. The know-how of its teams combines expertise from the fields of sector-coupled electricity, gas and heating networks, drilling technologies, geothermal plant construction, large heat pumps, process engineering, energy management, geosciences, post-mining utilization, storage systems and hydrogen infrastructures.

The “Kompetenzzentrum Klimaschutz in energieintensiven Industrien” (KEI) advises and promotes energy-intensive industries in Germany in particular on the subject of greenhouse gas reduction. The focus is specifically on the basic materials production sectors: steel, chemicals, cement, lime, non-ferrous metals, glass, ceramics, paper and pulp, foundries and other industrial sectors. High greenhouse gas emissions pose particular challenges for these industries if they are to achieve the statutory goal of climate neutrality by 2045. As a project sponsor, think tank and networker, the KEI acts at the interface between science, business and politics.

Over the next few years, the Lausitz Science Park will be one of the most important projects in Lusatia’s structural change, covering an area of 420 hectares in the immediate vicinity of the central campus of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. The business and science park with international appeal will combine basic and applied research with innovative spin-offs and numerous company settlements – and, as one of four profile lines, will also focus primarily on the energy transition and decarbonization. The aim is to create a new district in Cottbus/Chóśebuz that not only offers excellent location conditions and high-quality space for work activities, but also space for housing, leisure facilities and green and recreational areas.

The Mining & Generation Technology – Made in Germany initiative was launched in 2017 by the “Industrie- und Handelskammer Cottbus”, the “Wirtschaftsförderung Brandenburg” and companies operating along the mining value chain. In the context of the energy transition and the associated structural change in Lusatia, it supports innovations in the energy industry in particular by helping companies to develop new business areas and markets. The aim is to secure and further develop Lusatia’s expertise in mining and the energy industry, which has grown over decades.

Pro Lausitz e.V. was founded in 2011 as a regionally connected movement that campaigns for the interests of many people in Lusatia. Its members are active across all generations and social classes, often with close links to the topics of energy and industry. With the association as a voice, stakeholders are brought together for dialogue in the debate on the transformation of the region. Especially with the coal phase-out by 2038, Pro Lausitz has the important function of taking civil society working in the Lusatian energy and industry sector along on the transition to a climate-friendly energy and industrial region.

The PtX Lab Lausitz – a practical laboratory for fuels and raw materials from green hydrogen – is developing the technical basis for the market ramp-up of environmentally friendly and sustainable production and utilization of power-to-X (PtX) products based on green hydrogen. The competence center based in Cottbus is a knowledge platform, source of inspiration and point of contact for industry and politics, science and the public. To this end, the employees work on an interdisciplinary basis and come from a wide range of fields, from economics, natural sciences and engineering to (international) law and social sciences.

Cottbus is the driving force behind the transformation of Lusatia from a fossil fueled mining region to Europe’s model region for climate protection and green growth. Over the next few years, more than 5 billion euros will be invested here and more than 7,000 new jobs will be created – with projects such as Europe’s most modern railway plant, the “Lausitz Science Park” or the “Medizinische Universität Lausitz” and digital healthcare – primarily in future-oriented fields. A place of opportunity for innovative minds – for whom Cottbus is building climate-neutral urban districts, from the City of the Future with its research campus to the lakeside suburb with its harbour district.

The Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg stands for the development of practical solutions for shaping the major issues of the future and transformation processes worldwide with scientific expertise. In addition to artificial intelligence, structural strengthening and transformation, the topics of energy transition and decarbonization in particular are a central component of the research profile consisting of basic and application-oriented research. BTU researches technical solutions for climate change and integrates key research topics in the areas of energy generation, storage and utilization.

The aim of the Euroregion Spree-Neiße-Bober is to ensure cross-border cooperation in the area of the district of Spree-Neiße, the city Cottbus and the southern part of the Lubuskie Voivodeship and, in particular, to strengthen economic cooperation. To this end, the organisation actively arranges and supports German-Polish partnerships and the improvement of administrative cooperation and is in turn a member of other bodies that deal with various EU matters, such as the German-Polish Intergovernmental Commission with specialist committees for cross-border cooperation and interregional cooperation.

The “Industrie- und Handelskammer Cottbus” represents the interests of around 35,000 companies from Lusatia in Brandenburg. Among other things, it is part of the WRL workshop process, which qualifies projects submitted for the 3.6 billion euros in structural funds under the responsibility of the state of Brandenburg and brings them to fruition. The “Industrie- und Handelskammer Cottbus” is represented in the workshops ‘Companies, economic development and securing skilled labour’, ‘Innovation and digitalisation’ and ‘Infrastructure and mobility’ – in other words, the areas that will play a key role in transforming Lusatia into a model region for climate protection and growth.

Telekom MMS is a leading digital experience service provider and develops sustainable business models for digital experiences. With strong end-to-end competences, the Telekom subsidiary makes digital experiences tangible and contributes to the sustainable shaping of digital change. Together with a strong Group and technology partner network, Telekom MMS offers holistic consulting and solutions for the modern working world, such as artificial intelligence with, for example, business GPT, data intelligence and automation, which are used, for example, in the energy & utilities or manufacturing industries. Telekom MMS will be participating in the Decarbon Days with AI-supported simultaneous translation.

The University of Zielona Góra is the largest public academic institution in the Polish voivodeship of Lubuskie, whose history goes back to the founding of the former Technical University of Zielona Góra in 1965. Today, around 10,000 students study there in seven faculties, which no longer only include engineering and technical sciences, but for example also medicine and health sciences. There is an increased focus on technology transfer, amongst other things as part of the EU project ‘Cooperation between the University of Zielona Góra and BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg in the field of green energy’, which aims to provide impetus for decarbonisation in cross-border Lusatia.

The Economic Development Agency Brandenburg (WFBB) is the point of contact in the state of Brandenburg for investors, established companies and start-ups, particularly in the field of technology. It offers all services for business and employment promotion centrally in one place: from support with relocation and expansion, innovation, internationalisation and networking to the acquisition and qualification of skilled workers. In this way, the WFBB supports the further development of the industry-related economic clusters of Brandenburg and the German capital region. As an energy-saving agency, it is also involved in the implementation of the state’s energy strategy.

”As the city’s economic development agency, the “Wirtschaftsförderung Cottbus” (EGC) is responsible for the development, strengthening and marketing of Cottbus as a business and science location. It advises and supports companies in setting up businesses, develops and markets commercial sites and provides the most important data on the business location. It also prepares concrete proposals for those interested in investing and provides contacts for financing and funding opportunities. It acts as a link between business, investors, start-ups, authorities and associations.