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Museum Island
Exhibition closed
Energietechnik - Windrad.

Photo: Deutsches Museum | Christian Illing

Materials, Energy, Production

Energy Technology – Challenges for Our Society

How can energy be harnessed for humankind – and what consequences does that have for the environment? Here you’ll find out more about solar and wind energy, as well as reactors and power plants.

Exhibition closed

The second half of the museum is currently being renovated, which is why this area has been closed since July 2022. The modernisation of the exhibition is scheduled to be completed in 2028, the 125th anniversary of the museum's founding.
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What is Energy Technology?

Energy is essential to the existence of our society. We take it for granted that it is always available in a clean and moderately priced form. We use it for heating and lighting, to increase our mobility, and for communication.

Aspects of energy technology are addressed in many exhibitions at the Deutsches Museum; after all, the development of humanity is closely connected to how we have used energy throughout our history. One of the most significant steps was the mastery of fire. This provided heat for cooking food and for warmth. Its light increased the time people could utilise during the day, and also drove away wild animals. In an oven, it could be used to fire ceramics or to smelt bronze and iron. Thermal engines were invented in the 17th century, and we have used them ever since to cover most of our energy requirements.

7.77 billion
Global population in 2020

583.9 trillion
Global energy consumption (in joules) in 2019

4.8 tonnes
Average CO2 emissions per capita in 2018

Exhibition Themes

Entrance area of the Energy Technology exhibition Photo: Deutsches Museum

Energy Requirements and Carbon Dioxide Emissions

This section begins by addressing the fundamental connection between our growing demand for energy and the resulting CO2 emissions. It takes a closer look at current discussions on climate change caused by humankind, communicating the causes of global warming and demonstrating how it is linked to our use of energy. On a bicycle generator, visitors can experience just how much effort is involved in producing energy – especially thermal energy. The CO2 game gives us an idea of the kind of activities that particularly increase our carbon footprint.

Cooking with the sun. Photo: Deutsches Museum

Renewable Energy

Ultimately, almost all of the energy that we need to live (food and useful energy) comes from the sun. All the higher plants that we use as food or raw materials need the sun to grow. All fossil fuels – such as coal, crude oil or natural gas – can be regarded as stored solar energy that has been locked away inside the Earth for millions of years. Even the water that moves our turbines draws its energy from the effects of the sun, which drives the eternal cycle of evaporation and precipitation. Wind energy, on the other hand, is the kinetic energy of moving air. It is created by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun.

Faithful replica of a pressurised water reactor. Photo: Deutsches Museum

Nuclear Energy

Around 50 years ago, nuclear energy was regarded as the solution for providing the large quantities of energy required for rapid economic growth after the Second World War. This exhibition looks at the historical development and use of nuclear power in Germany, moves on to the structure of the reactors and processing of the fuel, and ends by examining the safety of nuclear power plants and the disposal of radioactive waste. A faithful replica of a pressurised water reactor is used to explain the key components and how they interact.

According to current legislation, all nuclear power plants in Germany will be shut down by the end of 2022. (As at: March 2021)

Rinnenkollektor.

Exhibit Highlight

Trough Collector – a Gigantic Mirror

Find out more about how we get energy from the sun.

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Deutsches Museum

Activities around Energy Technology

For School Groups

Activities and materials for teachers and school groups

Programme

Bookable Group Activities

Activities for families and groups

For Groups

Experience Knowledge: live

Guided tour through the Energy Technology exhibition. No registration required.

Daily Programme

Interactive Activity Station

Bicycle Generator

You won’t go anywhere with this bike – but you can generate electricity. Find out how much energy you need to make a light bulb shine. How many watts can you produce?

More about the Interactive Activity Stations for Families

Publications and Supplementary Materials on the Topic

Facts

  • Exhibition area: 600 sqm
  • An exhibition at the Deutsches Museum since 1983, fully redesigned in 1996, entrance area modernized in 2007, Renewable Energy exhibition area modernized in 2012
  • The exhibition is on Level 1

Any Questions?

Do you have organizational questions?

Further Exhibitions about Energy

Power Machinery exhibition.

Power Machinery

Step into what feels like an old machine hall, with spinning water wheels and steam engines – many of which look like works of art and can still be set in motion today!

Demonstration of a high-voltage current with a lightning discharge.

Electric Power

One of the Deutsches Museum’s most popular attractions is the high-voltage demonstration. With heart-stopping flashing and crackling, the show takes place three times daily and features the famous Faraday cage in action!

Mine

Mine

A unique experience! Walk through this 500-metre long exhibition mine and gain a very realistic insight into an underground world of days gone by.

[Translate to English:] Das System Erde dargestellt durch verschiedene Globen.

Environment

Examine the causes of pollution and learn about the complex history of environmental awareness.