TUM is uniquely positioned to serve as the coordinating institution for the proposed African-German Center ENERGISE, bringing together world-class expertise across engineering, policy, and entrepreneurship to tackle the complex challenge of achieving a JET in South Africa and beyond. As one of Europe’s leading universities, TUM is ranked among the top 25 universities worldwide in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025 and consistently number one in Germany. More than 50,000 students from over 140 countries are enrolled across its Schools of Engineering and Design, Social Sciences and Technology, and Management, creating a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment that is fertile ground for innovation.

Engineering is at the heart of TUM’s academic identity and central to its contribution to a sustainable future. In the fields of renewable energies, grid integration, hydrogen technologies, and decarbonization strategies, TUM is internationally recognized for groundbreaking research and practical solutions that advance the energy transition. Its Chairs and research groups work at the forefront of integrating decentralized energy systems, developing process technologies for green hydrogen, and modelling transition pathways that balance sustainability, affordability, and energy security.

TUM’s excellence in this area is reflected in dedicated institutes and centers such as the Center for Combined Smart Energy Systems (CoSES), which develops and tests innovative concepts for sector coupling, storage integration, and smart grid operations. The Munich Institute of Integrated Materials, Energy and Process Engineering combines interdisciplinary expertise in process and systems engineering to accelerate the transition to climate-neutral industrial production. The TUM Hydrogen and Power-to-X Center drives research on scalable hydrogen production, storage, and utilization technologies. Together with the Munich School of Engineering, which connects more than 40 professorships focusing on sustainable energy systems and new technologies, these institutions form a powerful ecosystem for pioneering solutions that push the boundaries of the energy transition. As Germany’s Entrepreneurial University, TUM has built an award-winning entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers students, researchers, and alumni to translate ideas into impactful ventures. The TUM Entrepreneurship Center supports approximately 100 start-ups each year, many addressing sustainability and energy challenges. This spirit of innovation and real-world application will be crucial for (further) developing local entrepreneurial ecosystems that can sustain a JET in South Africa and beyond.

TUM’s commitment to sustainability is embedded in its university-wide Sustainability Strategy 2030, which sets clear targets for climate neutrality and a strong focus on sustainable energy systems. Research, teaching, and campus operations are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13 Climate Action. The TUM SEED Center (Sustainable Energies, Entrepreneurship and Development) serves as the cornerstone of TUM’s engagement with the Global South. As a DAAD Center of Excellence, the SEED Center exemplifies TUM’s integrated approach to research, capacity building, and real-world impact. It collaborates with ten leading technical universities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, has established Living Labs, and nurtures academic exchange and practical training for the next generation of change agents and sustainable entrepreneurs.

Complementing this institutional strength is TU eMpower Africa, a student-led initiative dedicated to co-creating sustainable energy solutions in and with Africa. This initiative embodies TUM’s commitment to empowering students to drive tangible change, fostering cross-continental collaboration and community-based innovation.