The EFZN is a joint scientific centre of the Universities of Braunschweig, Clausthal, Göttingen, Hannover und Oldenburg. At the university locations the research activities are coordinated in internal university research associations – the “Energy Research Nodes“ – where their own focus areas are supported. Following an interdisciplinary approach researchers from engineering science, natural sciences and social sciences cooperate in the EFZN. The central foundation of cooperation of the five universities involved is a systemic, interdisciplinary approach to research and, subsequently, the coordination of a joint energy research agenda in the state of Lower Saxony. National and international collaborative research is conducted in the EFZN lines of research and cross-cutting research areas “Solar Energy", "Wind Energy“, “Integrated Energy Systems / Sector Interlinking“, “P2X Technologies“, “Material Sciences“ and “Social Sciences“. Besides the development and conducting of collaborative research the EFZN presents a permanent Networking and Communication Platform for the university locations involved. This networking of the stakeholders is not limited to the sphere of science. Rather, it is envisaged to integrate the areas of economics, politics and civil society in the discussion processes in order to develop interdisciplinary, implementable solutions in the transformation of the energy system. In order to ensure the necessary exchange on current issues of energy research, the EFZN holds numerous Expert Events together with its partners.