TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE DEGGENDORF

Their core work

Technische Hochschule Deggendorf (THD) is a German applied university in Lower Bavaria that conducts applied engineering research across energy systems and electromobility. In H2020, they contributed first to smart EV-grid integration — helping electric vehicles communicate with and support the power grid — then pivoted to advanced electrochemical materials, specifically thin-film reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) for compact energy storage. Their profile suggests a research group with capabilities in energy conversion systems, electrochemistry, and possibly simulation or embedded systems, operating at the intersection of materials science and energy engineering. As an applied university (Fachhochschule), their work is oriented toward practical outcomes rather than pure academic publishing.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

THD's first H2020 project (ELECTRIFIC, 2016–2019) was firmly in the transport-energy interface domain — EV charging, grid communication, and electromobility infrastructure — with no materials science dimension. Their second project (EPISTORE, 2021–2025) marks a distinct shift toward fundamental electrochemistry: thin-film deposition, nanoionics, and reversible solid oxide cells operating as both electrolyzers and fuel cells. This trajectory suggests THD is moving from systems-level transport research toward materials and device-level energy storage technology, possibly building a new research strand around solid oxide electrochemistry.

THD appears to be building competence in reversible solid oxide cells and nanoionics — a technically demanding field with strong relevance to green hydrogen and grid-scale storage — suggesting future partnerships in these areas are likely.

How they like to work

THD has participated exclusively as a consortium partner, never as a project coordinator, across both projects. Their two participations yielded 27 unique partners across 10 countries, which indicates involvement in large, multi-institutional consortia rather than small bilateral partnerships. This profile is typical of an applied university contributing specialist technical input — likely testing, simulation, or domain expertise — within projects led by larger research institutes or industry players.

THD has built a surprisingly broad network for an organization with only two projects: 27 unique partners across 10 countries. Their collaborations span both transport and energy research ecosystems, suggesting exposure to diverse European consortium cultures.

What sets them apart

THD is one of Germany's newer applied universities (Fachhochschule model), meaning it combines teaching with applied, industry-oriented research — a profile that makes it a pragmatic consortium partner rather than a publication-focused academic institution. Their specific combination of electromobility experience and emerging solid oxide cell research is unusual for an institution of their size and age in Bavaria. For consortium builders needing a credible German HES partner with hands-on energy technology competence and moderate costs, THD represents a practical choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ELECTRIFIC
  THD's largest H2020 grant (EUR 656,375) and their foundational EU project, addressing one of Europe's key transport-energy integration challenges at a time when EV-grid interoperability was emerging as a regulatory priority.
• EPISTORE
  Represents a significant research pivot into FET (Future and Emerging Technologies) territory — thin-film nanoionics for solid oxide cells is a high-risk, high-reward area that signals THD's ambition to move into frontier electrochemistry research.