New research building for the energy transition

A strong signal for the future of energy research: the Authority for Science, Research and Equality (BWFG) is planning to build a new research building for the Competence Center for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (CC4E) at HAW Hamburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES. This creates a place where scientists work together with corporate partners to develop and test innovative technologies for the energy transition and make them tangible for the public.

Science, research and equality

The project was already approved by the city parliament in October 2025 with the aim of strengthening the innovative power of the site and creating space for laboratories, offices and the presentation of future-oriented technologies. The building permit was issued in December 2025, construction will start in spring 2026, and the building is scheduled to be put into operation in 2028. The project will cost around 20 million euros, for which the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is providing an investment cost subsidy, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) set to contribute around 6 million euros. General project management is in the hands of Sprinkenhof GmbH, while MHB Architekten + Ingenieure GmbH and Averdung Ingenieure & Berater GmbH are responsible respectively for the planning and the technical building equipment. The project will be implemented in the tenant-landlord model (MVM) in accordance with VV-Bau (Administrative Regulations on the Implementation of Construction Tasks of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg).

Maryam Blumenthal, Senator for Science, Research and Equality: “For the energy transition to succeed, it must become part of our everyday lives. With the new research building on the Energy Campus, we are making it visible and understandable. Research is conducted there into how clean energy will work in the future. This strengthens the district, promotes the research strength of both the CC4E and Fraunhofer IWES institutes and tangibly advances the energy transition. I am pleased that the project is now entering the next important phase.”

Prof. Dr Ute Lohrentz, President of HAW Hamburg: “The project goes far beyond the walls of a building: it is a strong signal for the future of our energy supply. The digitalisation of the energy transition and sector coupling are decisive levers for achieving the transformation, and this is exactly where HAW Hamburg’s CC4E comes in. It is especially important to me that the research building not only becomes a place for excellent science and research, but also a space for interaction and dialogue. Because the energy transition can only succeed when we work together –  with research, business and the people in our city.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Schäfers, Head of CC4E: “The new building gives us the opportunity to further expand our research on the energy transition and make it visible. Together with our partners, we develop solutions for a sustainable energy system – from generation to storage to intelligent use. The showroom will help make our work tangible for everyone. At the same time, a place will be created where science, business and society can interact to work together on the challenges of the energy future.”

The three-storey building is being built between “Am Schleusengraben” street and the “Schleusengraben” canal and covers around 2,500 square metres of gross floor area. Six research laboratories, office workplaces for around 50 employees, conference rooms and a showroom are planned, allowing scientists to vividly convey their research through exhibits, models and digital applications. The focus is on technologies for sector coupling – i.e. the connection of the electricity generation sector with the consumption sectors of heat, mobility and industry – as well as the digitalisation of the energy transition. The researchers investigate, for example, how CO2 can be captured from industrial processes or from the ambient air and converted into synthetic energy carriers with green hydrogen (Power-to-X). The intelligent control of energy components is also one of the central topics.

The new building also serves as an innovation engine for the “Innovationspark Bergedorf” urban development project, one of four planned innovation parks in the city of Hamburg. HAW Hamburg and CC4E are helping to shape the development of the area around the Energy Campus as a future innovation location. CC4E has been operating a research building at the Schleusengraben since 2015, supplemented by the Hamburg-Curslack research wind farm built in 2018. The partners are continuing their close cooperation with Fraunhofer IWES – for example in the use of a large-scale test bench for wind turbines – in the new building.

The Hamburg tenant-landlord model

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg’s tenant-landlord model serves the efficient use of public commercial properties. The city acts as owner and landlord, while the municipal authorities and public institutions use the space as tenants. The model ensures transparent cost structures, economic management of the properties and clear responsibilities in the operation and maintenance of the buildings.