Cooperation with the Korea Institute of Energy Research
President of the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), Yi Chang-Keun (left) und Bernd Rech scientific director at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. © HZB / A. Anselmo
On Friday, 19 April 2024, the Scientific Director of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Bernd Rech, and the President of the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), Yi Chang-Keun, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Daejeon (South Korea).
The MOU between KIER and HZB formalises the existing collaboration between the two institutes. The broad scope enables them to build on their shared values and visions and to pursue joint research paths for the further development of renewable energy technologies.
Following the recently launched EU project SolMates (Scalable High-power Output and Low cost Made-to-measure Tandem Solar Modules Enabling Specialised PV Applications), which is coordinated by the University of Innsbruck, this MOU will pave the way for further projects.
Signing ceremony in Daejeon
The signing ceremony was a highlight of the Helmholtz Association's delegation trip to Southeast Asia (for more information, see article on the right) and took place at the KIER headquarters in Daejeon. Around 40 representatives from both institutions took part, including KIER President Yi Chang-Keun and the President of the Helmholtz Association Otmar D. Wiestler. KIER signed an MOU in the field of "green" energy with HZB and another with Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), whose director Pieter J. Jansens was present.
At the signing ceremony for the MOUs, KIER’s President Yi Chang-Keun, said, "International cooperation with leading technology countries is essential to secure global technological sovereignty in response to energy transition and climate change," and added, "starting with this agreement, we will utilize the KIER’s global cooperation network, which has been built up over many years to advance strategic international cooperation with global top research groups."
Memorandum of Understanding between KIER and HZB
Since December 2023 and over a period of three years, KIER and HZB will conduct joint research within the Horizon Europe programme in the field of tandem solar cells. They plan to strengthen technical collaboration in various areas, including green hydrogen energy production, next-generation secondary batteries and the production and characterisation of high-efficiency tandem solar cells.
In addition to technical cooperation in the fields of hydrogen, photovoltaics, batteries and clean energy, KIER, FZJ and HZB are also planning substantial collaborations such as the exchange of information and personnel as well as the organisation of scientific conferences and workshops. In this way, they aim to create a solid foundation for close international co-operation between Korea and Germany and build a partnership that will lead the energy market by ensuring scientific and technological competitiveness.
FK with press release from KIER
> Original press release from KIER (22.04.2024)
- New Helmholtz Young Investigator Group at HZB on perovskite solar cellsSilvia Mariotti is returning to HZB as head of the new Helmholtz Young Investigator Group ‘Perovskite-based multi-junction solar cells’. The perovskite expert, who was previously based at Okinawa University in Japan, aims to advance the development of multi-junction solar cells made from different perovskite layers.
- Hydrogen storage in MXene: It all depends on diffusion processesTwo-dimensional (2D) materials such as MXene are of great interest for hydrogen storage. An expert from HZB has investigated the diffusion of hydrogen in MXene using density functional theory. This modelling provides valuable insights into the key diffusion mechanisms and hydrogen's interaction with Ti₃C₂ MXene, offering a solid foundation for further experimental research.
- HZB and National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy start cooperation in Energy and ClimateHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (HZB) and the National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" (NaUKMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU serves as the starting point for collaborative research, academic exchange, and capacity-building between the two institutions. Actions will be taken to establish the Joint Research and Policy Laboratory at NaUKMA in Kyiv. The aim of the future laboratory is to jointly develop research and policy analysis, focusing on the energy and climate dimensions of Ukraine’s EU integration.