Strengthen Knowledge and Technology Transfer in Europe
On Friday (October 20, 2023), the EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, together with the North Rhine-Westphalian Minister for Labor, Health and Social Affairs, Karl-Josef Laumann, Dr Markus Pieper, member of the European Parliament, Markus Lewe, Lord Mayor of Münster, and Simone Wendland, member of the state parliament, visited MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster and Helmholtz Institute Münster (HI MS) of Forschungszentrum Jülich. In addition to the future projects, the guests were particularly interested in the exchange of knowledge between the research center and European cooperation partners.
Transfer of Knowledge and Technology in Europe
In addition to the latest technical innovations, the discussions focused primarily on funding opportunities for battery research and development at the national and European level. Since economically and ecologically sustainable energy storage is of great importance for the success of the energy and mobility transition, it is becoming increasingly important to work hand in hand on it at the European level -– not just in research. That is why Prof. Dr Martin Winter, scientific leader of MEET Battery Research Center and Helmholtz Institute Münster, demanded: “Politics, business and research are most effective when they pull together. The open exchange must be actively pursued. In the future, knowledge and technology transfer should be further expanded in Europe and worldwide.”
Skilled Workers in Battery Development Are Urgently Needed
It also became clear that the European battery market is facing major challenges. The rapid upscaling of battery production in Europe offers numerous growth opportunities, but also leads to a major skills shortage. In the near future, numerous specialists and managers will be sought along the entire supply chain. During his visit, Labor Minister Laumann was able to see for himself the excellent education of further battery experts. Together with Helmholtz Institute and Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB, a globally respected battery research location is being built in Münster.