Press Release

The Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE in Kassel has a new leader: Prof. Dr. Martin Braun is taking over as the new director of the research institute on November 1, 2024. He is also a professor for sustainable electrical energy systems at the University of Kassel.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE has developed an underwater energy storage system that transfers the principle of pumped storage power plants to the seabed. After a successful field test with a smaller model in Lake Constance, the researchers are now preparing a test run off the Californian coast with partners: In the "StEnSea" project, they will anchor a hollow, 400-ton concrete sphere with a diameter of nine meters at a depth of 500 to 600 meters. By emptying the sphere, the storage is charged. When water flows in, electricity is generated – it is discharged. The power of this prototype is 0.5 megawatts, the capacity 0.4 megawatt-hours.

Inverters are crucial for modern energy systems. Despite the high level of quality that has been achieved for these complex components in recent years, device failures can also occur here. The causes of defects and failure processes are not yet sufficiently well understood. In the “Reliability Design” project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS has supported the development of more precise methods for lifetime predictions. This can also reduce the costs of electricity production.

Green hydrogen, produced by means of water electrolysis using renewable energies, is considered a key element for a successful energy transition. In her doctoral thesis, Dr. Franziska Hönig focuses on the potential of oxygen, which is also produced during electrolysis, in particular for the economic efficiency of decentralized energy systems. Her doctorate is based on the results of the "LocalHy" project, which was carried out at the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP, and was supervised by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and ITEL - Deutsches Lithiuminstitut GmbH. The dissertation was awarded the Innovation Award of the German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (DWV) today.

Fraunhofer IWES, together with its partner companies Tetra Tech RPS Energy Limited and Geowynd Limited, was commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to further develop the 565 km² Doordewind Wind Farm Zone (DDWWFZ). The contract, lasting ap-proximately two years includes the planning of upcoming offshore geotechnical site investigations in DDWWFZ, the development of a fully Integrated Ground model (IGM) for the entire Investigation Area and the preparation of a comprehensive Geotechnical Interpretative Report (GIR). The aim of the project is to prepare, interpret and integrate marine exploration data in order to enable potential investors to assess the cable, layout and foundation conditions within the DDWWFZ and assist their preparation and submission of bids within the Wind Farm Zone.

Building-integrated photovoltaics makes it possible to generate electricity directly where it is needed. To do this, solar modules are integrated into the structure of buildings. At the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP, a new project is researching production processes for connecting photovoltaic modules with aluminum components so that efficient energy generation, architectural freedom of design and cost-effective manufacturing processes are combined. Initial results will be presented at the EU PVSEC from September 23 to 27 in Vienna.

Three Fraunhofer Institutes and the Korean Institute of Energy Research (KIER) want to intensify their exchange on hydrogen, photovoltaics and wind energy topics. To this end, a cooperation agreement was signed today in Halle (Saale). The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Dresden Branch and the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES are involved. The collaboration is intended to support the faster establishment of a hydrogen economy and sustainable energy supply in South Korea and Germany.

Sustainability and resource efficiency in the photovoltaic industry will have a significant impact on the future of renewable energies. Currently, raw materials and materials are still being used in solar modules that cannot be recycled at all or can only be partially recycled and have weaknesses in terms of environmental compatibility. This is where the recently completed project “E2 - E-Quadrat. Renewable energies from renewable raw materials”. Together with partners, the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP in Halle (Saale) has developed a solar module in which the components that are not directly required for light-to-electricity conversion are made from biodegradable materials, recyclable materials or renewable raw materials.

In the highly competitive photovoltaic industry, technical innovations can bring decisive advantages, especially for European market participants. The prerequisites for this are functioning competition and the ability to enforce the protection of intellectual property. This is where the new "IP Protection" project comes in, in which the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP in Halle (Saale) is researching preparative and analytical methods together with partners in order to be able to provide legally secure evidence of patent infringements.

For the first time, German research partners have demonstrated the practical implementation of an aluminum nitride-based value chain for power semiconductors, from base material growth to device fabrication.