FROM RESEARCH TO APPLICATION

In cooperation with manufacturers and plant operators, we work on the development of new products and the optimisation of environmental technology plants. In doing so, we develop products and pilot plants at various technology readiness levels (TRL). As a practice-oriented transfer institute, we develop, plan and operate semi-technical pilot plants and demonstrators (TRL 5 to TRL 7) and support companies in scaling up tailor-made solutions and optimising operations (TRL 8 and 9). Our aim is practicality, which is why we operate our testing facilities together with partners at their local sites. This applies to both facilities in Germany and worldwide – with robust, mobile container solutions in cooperation with partners and countries in international collaboration.

We prepare individual studies and expert opinions on a wide range of issues. With the expertise of our interdisciplinary team, we analyse technical interdependencies as well as economic and social framework conditions. We carry out model-based system analyses and use forecast models and scenario considerations to develop forward-looking action plans and decision-making aids, the achievement of which we ensure with practical guidelines and monitoring concepts.

As a project initiator, FiW coordinates large collaborative projects and leads interdisciplinary partners from companies, local authorities, as well as university and non-university research institutions. In addition to project organisation, we also take care of knowledge communication, public relations, and event management.

Water management projects are often characterised by competing uses and conflicting objectives. FiW has many years of experience with dialogue-oriented approaches that focus on reaching consensus between different stakeholder groups. Through expert and methodologically sound facilitation, viable solutions are developed, including for competing water uses in the context of advancing climate change, for urban planning in water-sensitive urban development, for land use conflicts in flood protection, and for minimising substance inputs in water protection.

Together with our research and development partners from the Global South, we develop solutions to the challenges of climate change. Key areas of focus include water supply and sanitation, sustainable water management, water reuse, and dealing with heavy rainfall and droughts, next to food and energy security. We develop new solutions in research projects, advise local authorities, companies, development banks and development organisations, and train specialist staff in capacity development projects. Co-design is one of our hallmarks; all projects are developed and implemented together with local partners.