The Deutsches EnergieRohstoff-Zentrum Freiberg: advanced prospects for applied organic petrology, focused on the generation of coal based chemical products

Abstract

The Deutsches EnergieRohstoff-Zentrum Freiberg (DER) is a strategic partnership between government, science and industry to develop innovative concepts and technologies for the peak and post oil era. Researchers and practitioners collaborate to develop technical innovations to make the energy sources coal and biomass sustainable and future-oriented. The centre addresses the issues of energy supply, security and sustainability through research into the non-energetic utilisation of coal, where coal is not simply burnt to produce energy, but used as raw material in production processes for chemicals, especially hydrocarbons. Therefore, DER engages in the development of innovative gasification and hydrogenation processes, as bridging technology between conventional fossil energy sources and renewables. The intention of the DER is to achieve technological leadership in the field of non-energetic coal utilisation, and to develop the institution into an international centre of excellence in R&D for the utilisation of coal and recent biomass.