M.Eng. Malte Sommer
Research Assistant
Institute: EGU | Institute for Energy, Building and Environmental Technology
Team: Chair of Gas and Heating Networks | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robert Huhn
Telephone +49 (0)341 3076 6569
Send an email | malte(dot)sommer(at)htwk-leipzig.de
HTWK Leipzig | Faculty of Engineering
Liebknechtstraße Campus | Room CL000306
Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 143, 04277 Leipzig
Research
- Coordination of research projects: BLWH2, SafeH2Supply
- Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)
- LCA of underground natural gas and H₂ storage facilities (porous and salt cavern storage), including surface installations
- LCA of district heating supply systems
SafeH2Supply
SafeH2Supply develops concepts for a safe, reliable and environmentally sustainable hydrogen supply. The focus is on the odourisation of hydrogen to enhance operational safety, ensuring gas quality when using existing infrastructure, and reducing environmental impacts through emissions measurements and life cycle assessment. HTWK Leipzig contributes to the assessment of the environmental impacts of the H₂ infrastructure through a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) and, based on internal project measurement data, identifies concrete approaches to reducing emissions and optimising sustainability.
Project start: April 2025 – December 2027
Funding: Free State of Saxony/SAB
Project partner: DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH
BLWH2
Joint project: EnEff:Wärme: BLWH2 – Developing and supplying existing buildings and new developments in the town of Bad Lauchstädt with climate-neutral heat
Sub-project: Concept development and life cycle assessment for the supply concept using large-scale electrolysis
BLWH2 is investigating the use of waste heat from electrolysis to supply heat to urban areas. As part of a life-cycle assessment (LCA), HTWK Leipzig is evaluating the environmental impacts of various supply scenarios – with a particular focus on the carbon footprint. In addition, HTWK Leipzig is responsible for optimising the operation and designing key components of the energy infrastructure. This is carried out using Python-based modelling of the energy system under consideration to analyse and evaluate various operating strategies.
Funding: BMWE
Project partners: DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH, Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Gas mbH, envia THERM GmbH, VNG AG
Project duration: 11/2024 – 10/2026
H2INFRA
H₂ Infrastructure | Efficient and safe operation of hydrogen distribution networks
As part of the research into hydrogen infrastructure and piped hydrogen supply, an ecological and economic analysis and assessment of the hydrogen value chain is being carried out. This examines various application pathways in the mobility, domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. The value chain under assessment encompasses all technologies relating to the production, transport, distribution, storage and consumption of hydrogen. As part of the scientific support, measurement data (operating parameters, energy performance indicators, etc.) relating to the infrastructure are recorded as part of a comprehensive monitoring programme. In addition, various test series are being carried out to investigate the system components. The analysis and interpretation of the data are intended to provide insights into the long-term performance of the components used, the safety technology and the pipe materials.
Funding: BMWK
Project partners: DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH, Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Gas mbH
Project duration: 01/2022 – 12/2025
