Ongoing Research Project

Peatlands and other organic soils cover almost 7% of the agricultural land in Germany and their drainage-based use causes around 44% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture and agricultural land use due to the mineralization of peat soils, approx. 43 million t. CO2-eq. in 2021 (UBA 2023). Rewetting is the most effective measure to reduce emissions. In order to achieve the climate targets that Germany has set itself, at least 50,000 ha of currently drained peatlands must be rewetted each year. The combination of PV systems and rewetting could be a significant lever for achieving this goal. | Duration: 12/2024 - 06/2028

The Power-to-X Colombia 2.0 project deepens the analysis of the potential for the production and use of sustainable energy sources in Colombia identified in the previous Power-to-X Colombia project. These are also being expanded with a focus on innovative hybrid concepts. To this end, technical concepts for hybrid first-mover projects are being developed that combine biomass residues with Power-to-X technologies. This reduces production costs and enables more efficient use of resources. Under the leadership of Fraunhofer ISE and with the support of partners such as the Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia (ANDI) and the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the project promotes the establishment of regional hydrogen hubs, opens up export opportunities, and drives forward the green transformation. | Duration: 09/2025 - 05/2026

In the “HeriSol” project, listed buildings are being transformed from pure energy consumers into prosumers. Three real-life demonstrators show planners, architects, monument conservators, and building users how such a transformation can be achieved and how coloured building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) with MorphoColor® technology, bio-based thermal insulation, and micro heat pumps with Peltier elements can contribute to this. Digital tools such as BIM, digital twins, WLCA (whole life carbon assessment), PV simulations and visualisation, and living labs support planning with the goal of architectural, legal, and social integration. | Duration: 12/2024 - 11/2027

The WESPE-SHK project creates a platform that, together with the HVAC trade, facilitates the installation and its upfront- and follow-up-process when switching from fossil-fuel heat generation to heat pump-based systems in single family houses. The aim is to significantly reduce the installation times so that the target of over 500,000 newly installed heat pumps per year can be achieved - despite a shortage of skilled workers in the sanitary, heating and air-conditioning (SHK) trade as a key partner for implementing the energy transition in the building sector. | Duration: 10/2023 - 09/2026

In the HUMAX research project, various measures to build humus and improve soil carbon content will be investigated in different combinations. The aim is to identify possible synergies of the measures and to show combined application options. A unique feature of the HUMAX project is that these measures are to be applied in agrivoltaic systems (AV) and agroforestry systems (AFS). In an innovative approach of the HUMAX project, humus increasing measures (cover crops, winter greening, compost application, etc.) will be combined and tested with other promising measures such as biochar. By combining the various humus-building measures, new ways shall be found to maximize the build-up of humus, the carbon sequestration and therefore the function of the soil as a carbon sink. For this purpose, the effects of the combinations of measures on soil carbon and agriculture in AV and AFS systems are examined. Building on this, a modular system will be developed that will allow farmers to put together the best possible combination of measures for targeted carbon and humus management in their business, given their general conditions at the site. As part of the project, research at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems focuses on the systemic and microclimatic analysis of various AV systems. The results are statistically evaluated and modeled in connection with the agronomic and soil physical studies in order to optimize AV systems with regard to microclimatic changes and build-up of soil organic carbon i.e., humus. | Duration: 05/2023 - 04/2029

For the energy transition to be successful, significant amounts of renewable energy capacity must be added in Germany alone by 2045. In the field of photovoltaic systems alone, the planned expansion figures will require enormous resources, not only in Germany. Achieving these goals will require very large quantities of valuable resources such as aluminum, copper, and steel. The resulting demand will lead to shortages and thus cost increases, so that the relative cost share of material-intensive components will increase significantly, leading to a change in the cost structure of PV power plants and the associated inverters. This is exactly where the project comes in. | Duration: 03/2025 - 02/2028

The electrification of the transport sector will require a huge expansion of fast-charging infrastructure in the medium-voltage range. According to forecasts by the Electric Mobility Control Center, approximately 440,000 to 843,000 public charging points for passenger cars will be needed by 2030. In particular, at high-traffic locations along transport routes, charging stations will need to integrate 2 to 6 charging points for heavy-duty vehicles in addition to the charging points for passenger cars. These in particular pose a major challenge in accordance with the megawatt charging system standard due to their potential charging capacity of 1 to 3 MVA, as this causes the required charging capacity to skyrocket and can amount to up to 30 MVA depending on the location of the charging station. Charging stations with power requirements comparable to those of small towns will therefore be built along transport routes. At the heart of this innovation is local energy distribution with direct current at medium-voltage level. | Duration: 07/2025 - 06/2028

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

SMARTLINE-PV, an EU-funded project, aims to develop tin perovskite solar modules with selectable colours for specific applications, which will be realized by the Fraunhofer ISE MorphoColor® flexible technology. Significant R&D efforts are orientated towards (i) module fabrication on glass and flexible PET substrates with the lowest possible efficiency losses compared to single small area devices and (ii) their integration in façade elements and roof tiles | Duration: 01/2024 - 12/2027

Hops are grown on a large scale in the Hallertau region: Almost a third of the hops produced worldwide are grown on around 17,200 hectares of Hallertau hop gardens. As a crop that remains in the same location for several years, hops are particularly exposed to climatic influences. Dry periods in July and August sometimes led to significant yield losses: in the particularly affected years of 2013, 2015 and 2018, yields were up to 40 % lower, depending on the hop variety. This is where the "HoPVen" project comes in, in which the world's first agri-PV system in hop growing is being scientifically investigated. The dual use of the land for both agriculture and energy generation through photovoltaics can increase resilience to the consequences of climate change and diversify the income streams of farms. | Duration: 11/2023 - 10/2026