Welcome to “Innovation4E“

Dear Reader,

Welcome to “Innovation4E“ – the blog site of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.  Beyond the classic communication channels, we now offer an exchange platform on our current R&D topics for social media users.  On our blog, solar experts will regularly report on exciting themes chosen from our wide range of  research topics. Fraunhofer ISE carries out solar energy research focusing on the four main areas of energy efficiency, energy conversion, energy distribution and energy storage – thus, our blog name: “Innovation4E”

Energy efficiency is a primary target in the transformation of our energy supply to a system based on renewable energy sources. To this end, we develop technologies and components that, for example, help reduce the building energy consumption, which is responsible for about 40 percent of the final energy consumption in Germany. At Fraunhofer ISE, energy conversion – the utilization of renewable energy sources – means research activities to further increase efficiency and optimize costs of both photovoltaic and solar thermal energy systems. Falling under the topic of energy distribution is the smart grid. Here we develop both intelligent controls for energy supply and demand as well as components. Energy storage includes electrical storage, in batteries and in the form of hydrogen for applications such as mobility, as well as thermal energy storage for applications over a variety of different temperature ranges. Exciting contributions on all these topics and more can be found at “Innovation4E.”

We are looking forward with pleasure to the dialogue with our readers and wish you an informative read.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Eicke R. Weber
Institute Director, Fraunhofer ISE