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Energy of the Future
Research from Germany for the energy of tomorrow
A globally rising demand for energy. Limited resources. Climate change. Germany’s Science Year 2025 addresses one of the key challenges we are facing: How can we ensure a safe and sustainable energy supply in the future?
Research and innovation are essential to find solutions. And Germany has a great deal to offer in this regard. Fusion energy, clean hydrogen technologies, sustainable lithium extraction and much more: Our special issue showcases exciting energy research conducted at German universities and research institutes. And international scientists share insights into their work and life in Germany.
Videos
Rachael brings fusion energy from the sun to Earth
Fusion is the process that powers the sun. It has great potential to provide us with clean and safe energy here on Earth. Rachael is a leading scientist to make this happen in the future.
Isabella helps companies become part of the energy transition
Industrial companies need solutions to reduce emissions while maintaining cost-effective production. Isabella develops such solutions through her research into direct current and energy flexibility.
Julián develops clean hydrogen technologies
Hydrogen plays an important role in the transition towards a clean and resilient energy supply. Julián develops materials and systems to store hydrogen more efficiently – based on hydrides.
Gabriela makes battery cell production sustainable
Battery cells are crucial in clean energy storage. The production, however, is very energy-intensive and relies on critical materials. Gabriela wants to make battery cell production truly sustainable.
Josua makes hydrogen safe for everyday use
Hydrogen fuel is a clean yet unsafe medium for energy storage and usage. Josua uses AI to predict the explosion characteristics of hydrogen gaseous mixtures to help building safe hydrogen facilities.
Youssef makes floating offshore wind farms more efficient
Floating offshore wind is a promising technology to generate clean and renewable energy. However, it is still very expensive. Youssef aims to increase the efficiency of floating offshore wind farms to make the technology more profitable.
“Solar fuels are an investment in the future”
Nathalie Monnerie is Head of Department at the DLR Institute of Future Fuels. The institute is one of Europe’s leading research centres for solar and sustainable fuel technologies. With projects spanning several continents and a rapidly growing international team, the institute is helping to drive forward the energy transition from a scientific perspective. In this interview, Nathalie talks about green energy, solar fuel production, and what motivates her to help shape a better future.
“Innovating deep geothermal technologies to facilitate a sustainable energy transition”
Frank Sachse is Head of Transfer & Communication at Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG. With a focus on technologies like geothermal energy, hydrogen, and carbon storage, Fraunhofer IEG plays a key role in driving the heat transition and developing sustainable energy solutions for the post-fossil era. In this interview, Frank talks about shaping the future of energy through cutting-edge, hands-on research and international cooperation.
“Sustainable lithium extraction isn’t a dream – it’s our mission”
Marten Huck and Andreas Kuhlmann are doctoral students at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ). Together with their professor, they set up a start-up company and developed an electrochemical process that can isolate lithium from seawater and other aqueous sources. This process has previously been energy-intensive and environmentally harmful. In this interview, they explain how their electrochemical technology is breaking new ground in lithium production, what role international collaboration plays, and how they turned research into innovation.
“Breaking energy barriers: From quantum tunneling to next-gen storage”
Peter R. Schreiner is a Professor at Justus Liebig University Giessen and Director of the Institute of Organic Chemistry. From organocatalysis to novel nitrogen-based energy storage, he explores groundbreaking solutions for tomorrow’s energy supply. In this conversation, he discusses why, despite the necessary technology and ideas already existing, research requires time and political foresight. The energy transition can only succeed sustainably through patience, international cooperation, and a diverse energy mix.
Charging ahead: Research for the energy future
How can we supply the world with electric cars, renewable energies and secure power grids? Daniel Stetter, Head of Smart Energy and Mobility Solutions at Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO, addresses precisely these issues. In this interview, he discusses designing sustainable energy systems, the importance of digital data, the challenge of keeping the lights on during “dark doldrums,” and why he believes research can inspire both industry and society.
Images
Amazing research, amazing images – flip through and learn more about selected examples of energy research in Germany.
