Dr.-Ing. Olaf Schäfer-Welsen

Dr. Olaf Schäfer-Welsen is a highly accomplished Mechanical Engineer and a results-driven technical manager, distinguished by over 20 years of professional experience, including 12 years in leadership roles.

He possesses strong expertise in R&D, product development, strategy, business development, and digitalization within the energy sector, with a keen focus on sustainability, environment, and innovation.

Currently, Dr. Schäfer-Welsen serves as Head of the “Hydrogen-Initiatives” at naturenergie AG since 2024. He leads the hydrogen initiatives of naturenergie AG, overseeing the development and operation of green hydrogen production based on renewable hydropower. His responsibilities include managing electrolyzer operations, addressing technical and logistical challenges, and advancing regional hydrogen infrastructure and partnerships to enable efficient storage, transport, and use of sustainable hydrogen.

In his former role as Head of the department “Thermal Energy Converters” and Chief Digital Officer at the  Fraunhofer IPM, he has successfully reorganized the department, significantly improved key performance indicators (e.g., doubling the departments industrial revenue share in four years), and implemented a digital project management tool to enhance efficiency. He also led the acquisition of a €9 million project for the development of an electrocaloric heat pump.

His extensive career includes significant leadership positions at MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH / Rolls Royce Power Systems, where he was Program Manager for “Intelligent Applications and Capabilities” (2016-2017), Director Research and Technology Engines (global) (2012-2015), and Director New Technologies and Design Studies (2011-2013).

Earlier, he served as Executive Assistant to the CEO at Tognum AG (2007-2011) and was a Development Engineer/Project Manager for the “world’s first railcar with a diesel particulate filter” at MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH / Tognum AG (2004-2007).

He earned his Dr.-Ing. (summa cum laude) from the University of Karlsruhe’s Institute for Thermal Fluid Machinery (1995-2004) and his Dipl.-Ing. (very good) in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Energy and Heat Technology, from RWTH Aachen (1989-1995).