Research is the basis for technical innovations in the gas and water sector. This is why the DVGW funds research projects and carries out its own projects.
In the chemical laboratory of the DVGW instititute DBI in Leipzig; © DVGW. Foto: Roland Horn
Dedicated to Safety, Hygiene and Environmental Protection
The research work coordinated by DVGW includes both regional projects and pan-European cooperation arrangements. The objective is to transfer the results of research work to products and processes which maintain the leading international position of the German gas and water industry. Safety, hygiene and environmental protection are the top priorities.
The gas and water research activities are organised in a decentralised fashion, distributed among a total of nine institutions that combine scientific expertise and university partnerships with the industry’s practical experience. The individual institutes are complementary in their competences and form an integrated network that covers all aspects relating to water, gas and energy. Projects are increasingly organized as a joint effort allowing each of the institutes involved to make the most effective contribution possible. This network approach has also been adopted at the European level. The DVGW research project portfolio and funding programmes are managed by the DVGW headquarters; and in particular, by the Technology and Innovation Management unit.
The network concept is reflected, among other things, in the European Research Network for Gas and Energy Innovation ERIG of which the DVGW is a co-initiator and founding member. The DVGW's current research projects follow a three-pillar model that unites the different research horizons. It comprises innovation research, institute-led research and operational or applied research.
Energy and gas research institutions:
DVGW-related institutions for water research:
The DVGW runs several research and innovation funding programmes in both areas of interes, i.e. energy and water. Funding is supervised by several Research Advisory Boards for the respective research areas.
Energy Research:
Advisory Board: Dr. Thomas Hüwener, Open Grid Europe, Essen
Coordination Group for Applied Gas Research: Christian Schulz, Westnetz GmbH, Dortmund
Innovation Group for Gas Research: René Schoof, Uniper, Düsseldorf
Water Research:
Water Research: Christoph Jeromin, Bodensee-Wasserversorgung, Stuttgart
The DVGW Innovation Programme Water is intended to identify and close knowledge gaps, develop and test innovative concepts for the future and support their sustainable use by water suppliers. Research is carried out within the scope of studies and expert opinions, projects, technology development and testing and are incorporated into the rule-setting and the development of new DVGW services.
The DVGW Water Innovation Program addresses urgent priority issues for the future supply of drinking water in Germany with the following fields:
In order to ensure the high quality level and sustainability of German water supply in the long term, DVGW also devotes itself intensively to water research. The concepts cover the entire water cycle and focus on solutions that are technically and economically sustainable. Research covers three areas of the water supply: substances, systems and technologies.
The research work funded and coordinated by DVGW includes both regional projects and pan-European cooperation arrangements. DVGW’s research work is the basis for the technological development in the drinking water industry. It fosters rule-setting and standardization as well as technical recommendations. In addition, research ensures the scientifical quality for official statements of DVGW. These activities bear witness to the benefits of the interdisciplinary competence network.
Hydrogen is key to an economical, environmentally friendly and safe supply of climate-neutral energy. In its role as a competence network for the gas industry, the DVGW has been promoting research in this area for more than ten years and is actively participating in numerous national and European projects. As part of the five-year Innovation Programme Hydrogen, the DVGW —as a standardization body for the gas and water industry, research initiator and educational institution— is now creating the basis for the future-proof and safe use of climate-neutral gases. With an extensive funding budget, the DVGW supports on a technical and scientific level the development of a hydrogen economy. By funding thematically appropriate projects, we will turn the vision into reality.
The determination to make things better is the driving force behind all the research and development activities of the DVGW. The objective is to transfer the results of research work to products and processes which maintain the leading international position of the German gas industry. Safety and environmental protection are the top priorities.
The research work funded and coordinated by DVGW includes both regional projects and pan-European cooperation arrangements. DVGW’s research work is the basis for the technological development in the gas and water industry. It fosters standardization and technical recommendations. In addition, research ensures the scientifical quality for official statements of DVGW. These activities bear witness to the benefits of the interdisciplinary competence network.
