Research Projects

In order to achieve the Paris climate protection target of net zero emissions in the second half of this century, an unprecedented transformation of the energy supply towards renewable energies (RE) is required in all sectors worldwide. In the target countries of this project, Indonesia, Argentina and Kenya, the potential of RE has so far been insufficiently utilized and the existing national framework conditions are not yet sufficient to increase the share of RE. This project therefore supports cities and regions in these countries in developing strategies for 100% RE supply and in raising awareness and commitment among stakeholders. At the same time, it supports the assessment of local RE potential and the development of eligible projects for the expansion of RE. The project thus provides tools and resources for a RE-based energy supply. | Duration: 03/2020 - 03/2023

The planning, realization and operation of a low-temperature or “cold” local heating network is being demonstrated at the former Shamrockpark mine site in Herne. The project is supported by two research projects funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The planning and optimization of the Shamrockpark energy system is being carried out as part of the “TransUrban.NRW” project. The “CLUE-Shamrockpark” project, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the question of which external flexibilities the Shamrockpark district energy system could provide to the upstream electricity system due to its sector coupling and how the stakeholders in the districts can be won over for the transformation. | Duration: 2019 - 2023

In order to achieve climate neutrality in Germany by 2045, one of the decisive factors is the extent to which energy consumption for living, working, leisure, consumption and mobility in cities can be reduced and replaced by climate-neutral energy sources. In the European Union, the concept of so-called "Positive Energy Districts" (PEDs) is being pursued for this purpose: PEDs are climate-neutral neighborhoods that have a positive effect on the upstream energy system. The buildings in PEDs are energy efficient and their heat supply is climate neutral. PEDs consistently exploit the potential for renewable energy generation in the neighborhood to maximize energy demand for electricity and heat. Mobility in PEDs is electrically driven and multimodal. | Duration: 11/2021 - 04/2025

In this project, we are using a new residential development in Harsefeld to investigate how an agent-based district energy management system (Quartiers EMS) can control residents' decentralised systems in such a way that both the residents' wishes and the requirements of the surrounding energy system are taken into account. | Duration: 12/2023 - 11/2026

The project supports a team of scientists from the three Fraunhofer Institutes ISE, IBP and ISI in their accompanying research on energy transition construction. This joint effort focuses on several areas: Firstly, cross-evaluations of completed and ongoing research projects from the Energy Transition Buildings funding programme are being carried out, which aim to bring together the results from the many individual projects and place them in a broader context. These cross-evaluations cover topics related to the energy transition in the areas of buildings and neighbourhoods, renovation, heating network expansion, integration of renewable energies and others. The cross-sectional evaluations also provide the basis for identifying new research topics and impetus for the further development of the BMWE's 8th Energy Research Programme. In addition, the PTJ is supported in the planning and implementation of events. | Duration: 09/2025 - 08/2029

India has set itself the goal of implementing at least one solar city in every federal state. To be able to call itself a Solar City, the city's electricity generation should be at least as high as its electricity demand. As this is an ambitious goal, the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is supporting several Indian cities on their way to becoming solar cities. In the Solar Cities India project, the cities of Amritsar (Punjab), Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Gandhinagar (Gujarat) and Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) were supported by GIZ through the development of Solar City Energy Action Plans, which were prepared by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. | Duration: 01/2024 - 11/2026

Berlin has set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. The extensive use of solar energy is an important component of this. The Berlin Energy and Climate Protection Program 2030 stipulates the creation of a Solarcity Berlin master plan that will enable solar potential to be tapped as quickly as possible. The Berlin agency “Zebralog” and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) were commissioned by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises to work with a group of experts to develop a catalog of measures to accelerate the development of PV potential. | Duration: 10/2018 - 12/2019

The Project WeGenerate is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action seeking to infuse the elements of people and co-creation in the urban regeneration processes. It fully embraces the paradigm shift from building for the people to building with the people. We – cities, citizens, communities, businesses, researchers, and practitioners – take ownership of the urban regeneration processes and co-create sustainable, people- centric, accessible, and beautiful neighbourhoods.