Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
Research for the Energy Transition: From Sector Coupling, Hydrogen, and Heat Planning to Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Processes
The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the need for decarbonization and the introduction of sustainable energy systems. Decarbonization spans various sectors of the energy supply, including electricity, heating, and mobility, as well as the basic materials industry. Fraunhofer IFAM supports these efforts through its expertise in materials science and manufacturing technology. It is actively involved in the development of renewable energies such as solar and wind power and also conducts research on batteries, thermal energy storage, the hydrogen economy, and renewable materials. Overarching research priorities include the transformation of the energy system, sector coupling, and increasing energy efficiency.
Use of Renewable Energies Leads to Reduction in CO2 Emissions
Global energy consumption, particularly in the G20 countries, has increasingly decoupled from economic development and has recently grown more slowly than economic output. CO2 emissions were reduced despite a slight increase in energy consumption. This demonstrates that the path taken – through the increased use of renewable energies and the improvement of energy efficiency (including through combined heat and power, sector coupling, modern energy storage, and electromobility) – is viable and has a significantly positive effect on greenhouse gas emissions.
Our Research in the Field of Sustainable Energy: Innovation through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
To drive innovation in the field of renewable energy, we at Fraunhofer IFAM take a comprehensive approach. In addition to overall system analysis, careful planning, and efficient approval processes, we focus primarily on the development of new materials, material combinations, and joining processes, as well as the application of efficient manufacturing processes and production chains. These must meet the technical and economic requirements of the transforming energy systems. Scientists from various disciplines – including materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, and process development – combine their expertise to develop customized system solutions. From the development of new materials through manufacturing technology and surface functionalization to the complete characterization and qualification of component and system behavior, we cover a broad spectrum. Close collaboration with our customers is at the heart of our work.