Ongoing Research Project

The agricultural sector is facing new challenges. In the wake of climate change, strategies must be developed to avoid negative impacts on harvests. Orcharding in Germany is already affected by the consequences of climate change: rising temperatures, changes in precipitation distribution and increasingly frequent extreme weather events such as hail and heavy rain. As a result, commercial fruit growers are increasingly using hail protection nets and foil roofing to prevent quality and yield losses. The project "APV-Obstbau" (Agrivoltaic Orcharding) will investigate to what extent agrivoltaics can replace these protective measures in apple cultivation, which system design makes sense for this crop and in which way the agrivoltaic system affects crop yields. | Duration: 04/2020 - 03/2025

Currently, low-temperature PEM fuel cells, such as those used in mobility, require membranes that typically contain PFSA, a type of PFAS. The project “GIRAFFE” (Generic Investigation Regarding Alternative Fluorine-Free Electrolytes for Fuel Cells) will examine commercially available PFAS-free and low-PFAS materials, with a focus on hydrocarbon polymers. These materials are environmentally benign and could offer advantages in cost and functional merits. The aim is to evaluate the technology readiness level of these materials. | Duration: 01/2024 - 12/2027

Lithium-ion batteries used as energy storage are a key element of the energy transition. This type of battery is being used in ever greater numbers, especially in electromobility. At the end of their life in the vehicle, the batteries can continue to be used in stationary storage before being recycled. Even though this significantly minimizes the CO2 footprint and makes the recycling economy more effective, many new questions arise, e.g. about the qualification of the cells, cooling and the integration of stationary storage into the infrastructure. These issues are being investigated in detail in the ecoLEPuS project. | Duration: 09/2022 - 05/2026

Project in the Business Area: Hydrogen Technologies and Electrical Energy Storage; Topic: Thermochemical Processes; Duration: 08/2022 - 06/2026

Business Area: Photovoltaics; Research Topic: Photovoltaic Modules and Power Plants; Field of Work: Forecasting of Solar Irradiance and Power; Duration: 09/2022 - 11/2025

The interconnection and module integration of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells based on Qcells' Q.ANTUM technology is to be brought to a higher TRL in preparation for future industrialization. The project aims to develop novel, innovative methods, including low-temperature soldering, conductive bonding and low-temperature lamination for glass-glass modules. In addition, lead-free cell interconnection contributes to the reduction of the harmful substance, which in turn contributes to the development of a sustainable product and the simplification of recycling. Finally, cost savings, increased efficiency and the development of highly efficient high-throughput concepts for industrial production will be investigated. | Duration: 09/2022 - 10/2025

Project in the Business Area: Energy-Efficient Buildings, Solar Thermal Power Plants and Industrial , Topics: TThermal Storage for Buildings, Thermal Storage for Power Plants and Industry, Duration: 05/2021 - 04/2026

The research project »SynAgri-PV: Synergetic Integration of Photovoltaics into Agriculture as a Contribution to a Successful Energy Turnaround - Networking and Accompanying the Market Take-off of agrivoltaics in Germany« pursues the overarching goal of describing and evaluating central technical, legal, economic and social framework conditions and prerequisites for the establishment of agrivoltaics on the German market and developing proposals for a broad establishment of agrivoltaics. | Duration: 07/2022 - 04/2028

Project in the Business Area: Hydrogen Technologies and Electrical Energy Storage; Topic: Electrolysis and Power-to-Gas, Sustainable Synthesis Products​; Duration: 04/2021 - 09/2025

Project in the Business Area: Hydrogen Technologies and Electrical Energy Storage; Topic: Battery Cell Technology; Duration: 11/2022 - 12/2025