Prokon supports new endowed professorship for battery storage at HAW Kiel
Prokon is supporting the new endowed professorship in the field of battery storage / Master Battery Technologies at HAW Kiel, thereby specifically promoting the training of skilled professionals in the future-oriented field of storage technologies and the energy transition. The professorship is secured for five years and lays the foundation for the start of the degree programme in the winter semester 2026/27. It will sustainably strengthen the innovation and higher education hub of Itzehoe/Steinburg.
Master Battery Technologies: Practical, Connected, Regionally Rooted
The Master's degree programme in Battery Technologies is closely connected with the region. While the majority of theoretical content is taught at HAW Kiel, parts of the coursework also take place at the Fraunhofer ISIT in Itzehoe, where battery storage research is already well established. In addition, companies from the region – including Prokon – contribute practical insights, for example through elective modules on topics such as project development and operations.
This creates close ties between students and companies. The goal is to attract skilled professionals to the region at an early stage and retain them in the long term – also to prevent migration to larger cities. Many local companies support the professorship as sponsors and see it as a joint investment in the future viability of Itzehoe as a business location.
Prokon: Engagement für Energiewende, Innovation und Fachkräfte
Prokon is contributing €25,000 over five years to the financing of the endowed professorship and is also bringing technical expertise into the teaching.
“Battery storage systems are a key element for a successful energy transition. With our commitment, we are making a targeted investment in knowledge, innovation, and the skilled workforce of tomorrow — while also strengthening Itzehoe as a centre for storage technologies,” says Christoph Rosengarten, who is responsible for the development of battery storage systems at Prokon.
Strong signal from the region, science and industry
At a press event held this week in Itzehoe, it became clear how broadly supported this project is. Representatives from politics, administration, science, and business all unanimously emphasised the significance of the new professorship for the region.
Among the speakers were:
Ralf Hoppe, Mayor of the City of Itzehoe
Claudius Teske, District Administrator of Steinburg District
Prof. Dr Kay Poggensee, Faculty of Business, Kiel University of Applied Sciences (HAW Kiel)
Prof. Dr Christoph Weber, Course Director of “Battery Technologies”, HAW Kiel
Christoph Kober, Managing Director of the Gesellschaft für Technologieförderung Itzehoe mbH (IZET)
Mayor Ralf Hoppe called it “a truly great start to the year” for Itzehoe. Prof. Dr Kay Poggensee emphasised that “politics and administration have set all traffic lights to green” and that “Itzehoe is now visibly becoming a higher education location.”
The project is considered a flagship initiative for Schleswig-Holstein, unique in this form to date. While similar initiatives have failed elsewhere, all stakeholders here recognised the importance early on and acted together. As a result, all the cogs have meshed — bringing significant added value to the region.