Calendar

26 November 2026 | 4:00–6:00 pm | Hochschule Offenburg, Germany

As part of KTUR² – Knowledge Transfer Upper Rhine’s “R&D Needs” work area, Hochschule Offenburg is opening the laboratories of its Institute of Sustainable Energy Systems (INES) to companies and local authorities from the region.

Participants will gain insights into current research across three key areas of the energy transition:

• Smart energy networks and microgrids,
• Scenarios and decision-support tools for industry, local authorities and policymakers,
• AI-driven operational strategies for buildings and neighbourhoods, particularly those involving heat pumps and district heating networks.

Beyond discovering the research facilities and ongoing projects, participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with the researchers. The research teams will be pleased to share their expertise, answer questions and discuss specific R&D needs. These conversations can help identify potential collaborations between research organisations and socio-economic stakeholders, addressing real-world challenges and emerging innovation needs.

Practical information

📅 Thursday, 26 November 2026, 4:00–6:00 pm
📍 RIZ Energie, Hochschule Offenburg, Badstraße 22a, Offenburg
🎟️ Free of charge

The visit is organised as part of Zukunft.Lab.Schwarzwald, in collaboration with the Southern Upper Rhine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Südlicher Oberrhein), within Zukunft Raum Schwarzwald, with the support of the KTUR² network.

The KTUR Open Innovation Challenge is an intensive two-day bootcamp (March 2-3) in English where around twenty students from various disciplines and universities in the Upper Rhine region tackle a real-world innovation challenge proposed by 2 regional startups. During the event, students collaborate under the guidance of instructors and professionals to develop creative solutions. On the final day, they present their work to the companies, with participants earning 2 ECTS credits upon completion.

The process follows five key steps: understanding the challenge, exploring the stakes, generating ideas, designing a business model, and presenting the solution. A unique opportunity to bridge theory and practice while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

All students from a university in the Upper-Rhine region are welcome to join !

Program :

• 15. February 2027, 17.00 – 19.00: Online Kick-Off
• 2-3 March 2027, 9.00 – 17.00: In Person workshops

📍 FHNW, Campus Dreispitz, Dornacherstrasse 394, 4053 Basel

The event is free of charge. Lunch is included. Transport and accommodation if needed have to be paid by the participants.

Fill in the form below and add a CV and a short motivational letter. The application deadline is 30 January 2027. We will accept students on a rolling basis. The earlier you register, the higher are your chances.