iL-CURRENT
October 31, 2024
Doris Wittneben: "Attractiveness
of the location"
Dr. Doris Wittneben is Head of Future Fields and Innovation at Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar GmbH (MRN GmbH). In her role, she drives the development and implementation of pioneering projects and collaborations. At the Clean Tech Innovation Day on November 11 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Heidelberg Congress Center), Doris Wittneben will be moderating a panel dedicated to the topic of "viable demo systems and use cases". iL conducted the following interview with the doctor of chemistry and business administration graduate.
Mrs. Wittneben, what does the metropolitan region in in terms of innovative strength and technologytransfer out?
Doris Wittneben: The metropolitan region is one of the top regions in Germany and, in some cases, Europe in terms of innovative strength and success in technology transfer, be it in the areas of GreenTech, MedTech/BioTech, Digital Economy and Social Economy. We are strengthening this innovative power, which ultimately translates into economic strength, with our systematic regional innovation management.
Dr. Doris Wittneben: "The metropolitan region is one of the top regions in Germany and, in some cases, Europe in terms of innovative strength and success in technology transfer." Image: Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region
The metropolitan region Rhine-Neckar GmbH unites in the cluster network "Energy and Environment" over 100 key players. How are you here organizationally set up?
Wittneben: The Energy and Environment Cluster has been in existence for over ten years and is a strong alliance with partners from industry, local authorities and research institutions. We inform, network and support our members in the fields of renewable energies and energy efficiency, bioeconomy, sustainable mobility, innovative construction and renovation as well as hydrogen. Due to the high demand, we have set up special specialist groups for hydrogen and bioeconomy. As an interface for ideas, research, technologies and applications, we also provide a protected environment for confidential discussions.
"H2Rivers" and "H2Rhine-Neckar" are historically as prestige projects of the partnership alliance MRN. Which transformational and consumer-oriented approach is thus in the area the hydrogentechnology connected?
Wittneben: With the H2Rivers project and our sister project H2Rhein-Neckar, we are making hydrogen applications in mobility visible and tangible. Buses and refuse collection vehicles run quietly and without nitrogen oxide emissions on hydrogen in everyday traffic. Logistics companies, courier services and private individuals can fill up with green hydrogen at the new hydrogen filling stations. This density of filling stations is unique in Germany and Europe. We have succeeded in establishing a new value chain from production to the hydrogen consumer. This initial hydrogen ecosystem has solved the chicken-and-egg problem and given the go-ahead for further hydrogen projects in the industrial, hydrogen production, plant construction and component development sectors.
Concrete application example: Here, a public bus is refueled at a hydrogen filling station. Picture: H2 Mobility
Let us look we briefly at the clean Tech Innovation Day ahead: What do you expect you yourself from the event in Heidelberg?
Wittneben: The event draws attention to another important aspect in the development of the hydrogen ecosystem in Rhine-Neckar. The aim here is to highlight the strength of the location in terms of technology development and technology transfer. We want to further network the players in order to promote the application and use of hydrogen as well as the development and production of innovative hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The common goal is to gain new market shares and further increase the attractiveness of the location.
MRN: networker, sparring partner and point of contact
In what role do you see do you the metropolitan region Rhine-Neckar with one such symposium from and for H2-professionals?
Wittneben: As a regional coordinating unit, we are a networker, sparring partner and point of contact for business, politics and local authorities. We have built up a large regional, national and international network, particularly in the field of hydrogen, which we are happy to contribute.
What can in turn iL for cleantechpartners in the metropolitan region do?
Wittneben: The InnovationLab offers a unique platform and infrastructure for knowledge and technology transfer, research and development at the interface between science and industry. It is predestined to bring together everyone in the region who recognizes an ecological and economic opportunity in climate neutrality and, for example, the production of green hydrogen.
What is about in the future - how well can we ourselves on the tomorrow and the day after tomorrow prepare?
Wittneben: In times of transformation, such as those we are currently experiencing, it is crucial for success to network across sector boundaries and exchange ideas in a spirit of trust. We want to make our contribution to this with our cluster and its services. What does tomorrow and the day after tomorrow look like? The next regional strategic goals for the needs-based expansion of the hydrogen ecosystem in the region are the connection to the hydrogen core network, networking along the Rhine as an important lifeline in the southwest and distribution across the region. Cost reductions for green hydrogen are important - for example in electrolysers or through the development of new hydrogen sources. Innovations must be developed, scaled up and ultimately made exportable in order to bring added value to the region and demonstrate the region's innovative strength.
"Hydrogen from the region for the region": Around 400 experts, including State Secretary Hartmut Höppner (from left to right), Baden-Württemberg's Environment Minister Thekla Walker, District Administrator Stefan Dallinger, H2 expert Doris Wittneben, MRN Managing Director Peter Johann and Isabell Knüttgen from e-mobil BW, met at the symposium in Mannheim on October 24. Image: Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region/Jan Hilnhuetter
To conclusion: How are are you in the local region come and what do you value do you after long years especially about her?
Wittneben: I've lived in the region with my family for over 30 years and appreciate the sunny climate, the open-minded people, the cultural offerings and the opportunity to live in the countryside while having an urban environment nearby.
Ms. Wittneben, thank you for this interview.
About the person
Dr. Doris Wittneben holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Bielefeld. She completed her diploma in business administration as part of the SMP Management Program in St. Gallen. Doris Wittneben has been Head of Future Fields and Innovation at Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar GmbH since 2021. In this position, she is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of innovative projects in the areas of hydrogen, bioeconomy, regional innovation management and the "Energy and Environment" cluster management. Under her leadership, important topics of the future are driven forward in order to promote sustainable solutions for the region.
Before joining MRN GmbH, Doris Wittneben worked as an innovation manager at MVV Energie. There she managed numerous national and international projects, particularly in the areas of hydrogen, heat and innovative energy concepts.
About the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region GmbH
Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar GmbH, based in Mannheim, was founded in 2006. In addition to the Rhine-Neckar Region Association and the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region Future Association, its shareholders are the Rhine-Neckar, Palatinate and Darmstadt Chambers of Industry and Commerce as well as the Mannheim and Rhine-Main Chambers of Crafts.
In cooperation with these and many other stakeholders, the regional development company coordinates project work in the areas of the labour market, education, digitalization, energy, culture, mobility and administrative simplification. In addition, Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar GmbH makes an important contribution to positioning and raising awareness of the region through location marketing and public relations work.
Further Further information to the MRN GmbH under:
Contact: Dr. Doris Wittneben, Head of Future Fields and Innovation at MRN GmbH, e-mail: Doris.Wittneben@m-r-n.com
Information on the "Clean Tech Innovation Day"
Note: Further information on the procedure and registration can be found on our website at
Registration ends on November 7, four days before the "Clean Tech Innovation Day" (November 11). Catering will be provided on St. Martin's Day at the Heidelberg Congress Center near the train station.
Joachim Klaehn
Head of Communications
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