Hartmut Spliethoff

Prof. Hartmut Spliethoff is a full professor in Energy Systems at the Technische Universität München (TUM), part of the TUM School of Engineering and Design. His research focuses on energy conversion systems, thermal power plant efficiency, carbon capture, and biomass utilization. He holds a doctorate and habilitation from the University of Stuttgart, with prior professorship at Delft University of Technology until 2004. Current roles include scientific director of ZAE Bayern’s Department 1 and Superintendent of Research at the International Flame Research Foundation (IFRF). He is also on the scientific advisory board of VGB PowerTech.

• Education:
  • Mechanical Engineering studies at Universities of Kaiserslautern and Stuttgart
  • Doctorate (1992), Habilitation (1999) in Stuttgart
• Research Interests:
  • Centralized/decentralized energy systems
  • Thermal power plant flexibility and efficiency
  • Biomass and fossil fuel conversion
  • CO₂ capture technologies
  • Low-temperature heat utilization
  • Geothermal and waste-to-energy systems

Recent research highlights include advancements in plasma gasification of biomass/plastic waste, thermochemical energy storage using CaO/Ca(OH)₂, and techno-economic assessments of Power-to-X pathways for sustainable aviation fuels. His work emphasizes sector-coupled energy systems and renewable integration, with contributions to geothermal heat pumps and district heating networks optimization. Collaborations span industry and international research institutions.

• Key Contributions:
  • Development of gasification kinetics models
  • NOx emission reduction strategies
  • Heat transfer optimization in bubbling fluidized beds
  • AI-driven process optimization for fuel cells
• Labs/Teams:
  • ZAE Bayern (Center for Applied Energy Research)
  • International Flame Research Foundation (IFRF)
  • TUM Chair of Energy Systems