How the InnoFuels platform works

A plenum is created in which competitive ideas can be professionally compared and technical evaluations for selected applications can be considered. The experience gained in this way will then be incorporated into ongoing projects with which the platform is networked. The joint project has an advisory function for society, politics and companies through its policy recommendations, guidelines, workshops and presentations. At a later stage in the course of the project, an organisation for the training and further education of stakeholders - the so-called InnoFuels Academy - is also to be created.

The platform's methods in detail

1. Knowledge transfer and networking

The communication of the project's results and findings takes place within and outside the organisation. The main addressees here are the participating project partners, the professional public and politicians. The networking of all those involved in the research, development and expansion of synthetic fuels plays a central role in this. This is done through workshops as well as through regular working groups and coordination on specific topics. In addition, the InnoFuels platform uses the instrument of network analysis – a method from innovation research. This helps to identify gaps or insufficiently developed networks. These gaps should then be closed in a targeted manner by involving new players.

2. Expert dialogue/innovation tools

When so many different players are brought together, disagreement is inevitable. That is why various methods of multi-criteria decision-making are used in the expert discussion. In doing so, several parallel objectives are pursued, since this often better describes reality than focusing on a single objective.

3. Globalisation

The InnoFuels platform aims to establish a targeted network of new and established players along the entire value chain for renewable fuels. The initial focus is on the national level, since one of the objectives of InnoFuels is to identify and develop new value creation options for the German mechanical and plant engineering industry, among others. However, the production, trade and sales of synthetic fuels cannot be carried out at the national level alone, as these synthetic fuels will have to compete in the international fuel market. Therefore, developments at the international level are monitored, evaluated and included in the decision-making process in the individual innovation priorities in order to support optimal positioning of German players for the global market.

4. Education and training

The Innofuels platform aims to provide information on the problems associated with the ramp-up of renewable fuels in all their diversity and complexity by means of training and information events. This is because many players in the fuel industry only have a partial insight into their fields of work (e.g. plant manufacturers or workshops). The events should therefore be tailored to the specific needs of the respective target group. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in training, information events or information material.