The future of energy: recommendations from science to politics
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Experts from HZB have contributed their expertise to the position papers briefly presented here. The topics include the development of innovative materials for a sustainable energy supply and the circular economy. Experts from different areas have jointly formulated solutions and recommendations for action.
Opportunities and challenges for the further development of energy research funding
This impulse paper was written by the advisory board for the energy research programme for applied energy research. This advisory board has the task of advising the Federal Government's Energy Ministry on the development of energy research funding and transfer. In the paper, the members from industry and research emphasise specific areas for action and make suggestions. For example: "We recommend that research and industrial policy objectives be more closely interlinked and addressed in suitable programmes. This includes agile project formats, which are particularly attractive for start-ups, as well as large programme lines in which consortia of companies cooperate with scientific institutions along value chains through to application."
To the position paper (Ger) >
Press release of the Federal ministry of economic affairs and climate action >
Innovative materials: the key to an affordable, safe and sustainable energy supply
This report was written by the Helmholtz Energy research field. It provides an overview of the development of innovative materials for sustainable energy systems and recommendations for action to politicans: the contents include the promotion of multidisciplinary research projects, investment in modern research infrastructures and the strengthening of industrial competitiveness as well as the creation of an innovation-friendly regulatory environment.
To the position paper (Ger) >
Circular economy as the basis for a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials and energy
This position paper was also written by Helmholtz Energy and emphasises the need for a sustainable circular economy to protect planetary resources and the environment, reduce dependence on imports and secure energy supplies.
To the position papier (Ger) >
Building a resilient solar industry
This position paper has been formulated by the German solar research and industry and contains strategic
recommendations for strengthening the solar industry and the energy transition.
To the position paper (Ger) >
- MXene as a frame for 2D water films shows new propertiesAn international team led by Dr. Tristan Petit and Prof. Yury Gogotsi has investigated MXene with confined water and ions at BESSY II. In the MXene samples, a transition between localised ice clusters to quasi-two-dimensional water films was identified by increasing temperature. The team also discovered that the intercalated water structure drives a reversible transition from metallic to semiconducting behaviour of the MXene film. This could enable the development of novel devices or sensors based on MXenes.
- Lithium-sulphur batteries with lean electrolyte: problem areas clarifiedUsing a non-destructive method, a team at HZB investigated practical lithium-sulphur pouch cells with lean electrolyte for the first time. With operando neutron tomography, they could visualise in real-time how the liquid electrolyte distributes and wets the electrodes across multilayers during charging and discharging. These findings offer valuable insights into the cell failure mechanisms and are helpful to design compact Li-S batteries with a high energy density in formats relevant to industrial applications.
- Self assembling monolayer can improve lead-free perovskite solar cells tooTin perovskite solar cells are not only non-toxic, but also potentially more stable than lead-containing perovskite solar cells. However, they are also significantly less efficient. Now, an international team has succeeded in reducing losses in the lower contact layer of tin perovskite solar cells: The scienstists identified chemical compounds that self-assemble into a molecular layer that fits very well with the lattice structure of tin perovskites. On this monolayer, tin perovskite with excellent optoelectronic quality can be grown, which increases the performance of the solar cell.