New research structures established X-Energy project concludes at HAW Hamburg

In this interview, Mike Blicker from HAW Hamburg outlines the most significant outcomes of the X-Energy research project.

EEHH: The X-Energy project has come to an end. What was the project about, how long did it run, and how was it financed?

Mike Blicker: “Yes, that’s right. In spring 2026, in the presence of our Environment Senator, Katharina Fegebank, we celebrated the conclusion of X-Energy after a total funding period of ten years. The project aimed to strengthen and expand our university’s research capabilities. It was part of the ‘FH-Impuls’ funding series backed by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR), with an impressive total project budget of just under €11 million. Specifically, our core focus was – and remains – energy research and the development of climate-neutral energy systems. Within X-Energy, we defined our main themes as wind energy, system integration, energy storage, and environment and public acceptance. We want to remodel the electricity system for the future, moving away from fossil fuels towards 100 per cent renewable energy. Because renewable energy is volatile – meaning its availability fluctuates – the system needs to be able to respond flexibly. The X-Energy consortium comprised 20 regional and national corporate partners working across a total of 24 sub-projects. For the most part, X-Energy ran parallel to our other major project, ‘Norddeutsche Energiewende 4.0’ (North German Energy Transition 4.0), which was much more heavily geared towards industry partners and the general public.”

EEHH: In your opinion, what were the most significant findings from the project?

Mike Blicker: “In the field of wind energy, we developed concepts that lead to significantly lower noise and light emissions. We also studied bat behaviour using specially developed measurement technology to design better protection measures. More recently, integrated projects combining wind turbines with battery storage or electrolysers have started playing a pivotal role.”

EEHH: How and in which projects will you utilise these findings at CC4E?

Mike Blicker: “Above all, X-Energy has allowed us to establish new research structures within the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) and has significantly strengthened our CC4E competence centre. Professors can now rely on a core team of mid-level academic staff who assist them with drafting funding applications, project management, and other areas of innovation management. In total, 17 professors and more than 30 research associates participated in the initiative, which also yielded 18 PhDs.”

EEHH: Looking ahead a little, what other projects do you have in the pipeline?

Mike Blicker: “Well, the future starts now! We have already been able to launch 15 follow-on projects stemming from the X-Energy thematic spectrum. In particular, we want to continue researching multi-rotor wind turbines. A dedicated community of multi-rotor experts meets every year, alternating between Hamburg and Glasgow. We plan to install and test an initial demonstrator out in the field in the near future. Carbon management has also emerged as a core research area. Together with Hereon (the Helmholtz-Zentrum in Geesthacht) and other partners, we are developing synthetic fuels – an outcome that directly evolved from two of the X-Energy sub-projects.”

EEHH: Thank you very much for this fascinating interview and for sharing your insights into X-Energy!