Areas of cooperation will include the research into and development of the key technologies and products needed for the practical implementation of an electromobility concept. In particular, this will include innovative lightweight materials for electric vehicles, further development of alternative powertrain and battery systems, as well as the necessary infrastructure to facilitate mass production. It is also planned to design and produce prototypes that would serve as demonstration models in both countries. According to TU President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Steinbach, "At our university we are purposefully promoting research activities in this extremely promising field of technology. In doing so, we are not only acting as strong international partners, we are also strengthening Berlin's established reputation as a centre of scientific excellence."
These activities are part of a plan to set up a German-Chinese Research Network in the field of electromobility, a project that was initiated in June 2010 between five top Chinese universities and the TU9 German Institutes of Technology. In the presence of Federal Research Minister Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, her Chinese counterpart Prof. Wan Gang and attending TU9 representatives including TU President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Steinbach, a 'memorandum of understanding' was signed that outlines the planned research cooperation projects in the field of electromobility.
This topic is very much in the news in both countries. The German federal cabinet has already adopted the first national development plan for electromobility in August 2009, which will serve as the basis for the future development of hybrid and electric vehicles in Germany. Moreover, the Berlin/Potsdam region was selected as the test centre for the electromobility project in Germany.
Through numerous programmes, the Chinese government is actively promoting the development and introduction of alternative power drives, for which international cooperation projects are increasingly being initiated. In the context of the programme entitled "10 Cities, 1000 Alternative Drive Systems", fleets of vehicles with alternative drive systems will be introduced in selected cities by 2012. For its 'Expo 2010', the city of Shanghai deployed busses, service vehicles and taxis equipped with hybrid or electric power drives. It is planned to equip 5 percent of all vehicles sold in China with alternative power drives by 2011.
Jörg Steinbach praised the planned activities in the field of electromobility as a positive sign that will serve to strengthen the strategic partnership, as well as both universities' commitment to long-term cooperation. For over 25 years, TU Berlin has maintained a close relationship with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of the ten best universities in China. In addition to dual degree programs in the academic areas of computer science and process science, vibrant student exchange activities also thrive in the field of electrical engineering, in addition to further cooperation agreements in computer science, engineering science, and history of technology. Furthermore, a joint research centre for information and communications technology was also initiated in 2005.
Contact
Stefanie Terp
Spokesperson of TU Berlin
Tel.: 030 - 314 - 23820
E-Mail: pressestelle(at)tu-berlin.de
