Easy language

The DBFZ stands for Deutsches Biomasse Forschungs Zentrum (German Biomass Resarch Centre).

We are researching how energy can be generated from biomass.

This is very important for the future of power supply.

What is biomass?

Biomass can be of vegetable or animal origin.

These include plants such as maize, rapeseed, wild plants or wood.

Compost waste and animal residues such as liquid manure or horse manure are also biomass.

Biomass is also produced in agriculture after harvesting. Straw is an agricultural residue and biomass.

Energy can be generated from all these substances.

Because it has a biological origin, i.e. it is "organic", it is called "bio-energy".

The DBFZ

The DBFZ was founded on 28 February 2008 in Berlin.

The DBFZ is located in Leipzig. A total of over 300 people work at the DBFZ. 

Every year, our scientists work on more than 120 research projects.

The DBFZ is managed by two managing directors: They are called Michael Nelles and Christoph Krukenkamp.

At the DBFZ there are topics that are particularly important. They call themselves research focus areas.

The research focus areas are headed by Daniela Thrän, Peter Kornatz,
Volker Lenz, Franziska Müller-Langer und Ingo Hartmann.

There are many laboratories and technical facilities on the DBFZ site.

Biogas can be produced in our research biogas plant.

Solid biomass, such as wood, can be burned in our technical centre.

Our goals

Bioenergy has to be sustainable. Sustainability means: Nature must always be able to renew itself well.

Energy from biomass should be cost-effective.

Plants for bioenergy should only grow where food cannot grow.

Bioenergy should only be produced from substances that are no longer needed.

Energy from biomass should work well with other forms of renewable energy such
as wind power or solar power.

Energy from biomass should not harm people's health, e.g. through harmful gases during
combustion in the fireplace.

Bioenergy is good for the climate. That's why we're working on making more use of bioenergy.

Our service

The DBFZ offers various services. For example, you can work together with us on research projects

But it also accepts orders from other companies, for example to carry out tests in the laboratory
or the biogas pilot plant.

We also advise politicians on the subject of bioenergy. For this purpose, we prepare reports,
studies and analyses.

The DBFZ in public

Our scientists give many lectures and write scientific articles.

These are published in various journals, books and on the Internet.

Sometimes our scientists can also be seen on television or heard on the radio.

The aim is to make our research topics and the DBFZ known

People should understand what bioenergy is and how it can contribute to our energy supply.

The DBFZ at events

Our employees are at many congresses, fairs and scientific events on the subject of bioenergy.

They give lectures on "Energy from biomass" or present a scientific poster.

How to use our website

At the top you will find the navigation. The six points introduce the most important areas of the website.

Under each item there are many more pages that you can click on.

Next to the navigation is the picture of a magnifying glass. Click on the picture if you
want to SEARCH something.

In the green field you can enter words you want to search. Then click on the white circle.

The results will then be displayed in a list.

In the upper left corner is the logo of the DBFZ.

If you click on the logo, you will always return to the first page.

Our website is also available in German.

To do this you have to go to the top of the page and click on the word DE. It is on the far right.

Accessible website

We want all visitors to be able to use our website without restrictions.

That is why we have made every effort to make this particular site as easy as possible to use.

Scientific topics are often complicated. Therefore we can unfortunately not offer all pages in easy language.

You can also view the website in contrast mode. There is a link at the top.

You can also use the TAB key to move through the page.

To change the font size, press the CTRL and + or - keys.

Parts of our documents are barrier-free.

Do you have any questions?

Do you have questions about our work, the use of this page or suggestions for improvement?

Get in touch with us. We will be happy to help you. You will find the contact person in the top right-hand corner.