The Research Unit Sectors and Technologies comprises five thematic priorities:

• First of all, it records the development of energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions in industry and the other final energy sectors by means of systems analysis. It analyses these with a special focus on the possibility of achieving greenhouse gas neutrality of the overall energy system, taking into account the technical and socio-economic determinants. One particular focus of the analyses is on energy-intensive industry.
• At the same time, the interactions between final energy demand, especially in energy-intensive industry sectors, and the energy supply side are analysed.
• Furthermore, the effects of structural changes on the level of industries or sectors (e.g. as a result of the large-scale introduction of new technologies such as hydrogen-based steel production) are quantitatively determined. In the case of the industrial sector, this would include analysis of the demand for energy-intensive raw materials underlying final energy demand and the impact of the switch to low-carbon processes and technologies.
• The researchers also carry out value chain analyses for the relevant processes and technologies as well as the goods they produce. These are used to analyse the contribution the respective value chain stage makes to energy and material expenditures and costs, and to further develop the existing systems in the direction of resource-efficient and circular demand-side value creation systems.
• Finally, the scientists assess strategic technologies for realising the energy system transformation and industrial transformation holistically, taking systemic interactions into account. These include wind energy, photovoltaics, direct air capture, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen production. This includes a systematic analysis and evaluation using different assessment dimensions and taking into account technological developments (prospective evaluation).