The Next Energy research center has gone through uncertain times recently. Last November, the German government did make EUR 7 million per year available to fund the organization, but those millions would only be paid if Next were incorporated into the DLR, the German Aerospace Center. Its integration into the government’s main research organization on aerospace and energy technology, transportation and safety in basic and applied research is intended to save 120 jobs in Oldenburg, Germany, and counter Next’s greatly reduced activities in aerospace research since its foundation by regional utility EWE about 10 years ago. Said the DLR: “The topics that the institute addresses complement DLR’s portfolio very well.”
