Fraunhofer Twin Transition Series

We will continue with our series in Autumn 2024 after the elections of the European Parliament. Stay tuned for what's to come!

In this timely edition of the Fraunhofer Twin Transition Series, we delved into the topic of negative emission technologies and their significance in the ongoing political discussions surrounding Certificate Framework Carbon Removals, Industrial Carbon Management, and Sustainable Carbon Cycles.

Our researchers from the Fraunhofer ISE, Fraunhofer ISI, and Fraunhofer UMSICHT emphasized the need for a holistic approach and systemic thinking to achieve efficient and effective decarbonization. Throughout the event, we covered a wide range of topics, including scenario and climate policy analysis, the importance of life cycle analysis for different technologies, and key technologies for the valorization of biogenic residues and waste.

You can find our key messages on the subject in the impulse paper. All the presentations are available.

We were grateful for the participation of Tiemo Wölken, MEP, for taking the time to share his insights on the current negotiations of the proposed Certification Framework for Carbon Removals. His presentation highlighted the ongoing discussions and the complexities of the topic.

The involved Institutes

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI

Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT

In our second webinar in the context of the Battery Regulation, we focused on digitalization and standardization for batteries, built a bridge between materials, production, use and recycling – and showcased the importance and added value of R&I in this process.

The Net-Zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act have only recently highlighted the strategic relevance of batteries for Europe’s independence and competitiveness. Yet, they are the most complex elements in the system with tremendous environmental impact. Within the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Battery Regulation ensures sustainability, performance and labelling requirements, due diligence for social and environmental risks, waste collection, recycling efficiency, material recovery and replacement options. 

To implement the Battery Regulation, we need key enabling technologies and innovative solutions for greening the life cycle of batteries.

Our experts focused on the characteristics and requirements for a digital twin of sustainable cell production as well as the challenges and potential for implementing the Battery Passport.

We were delighted to get input from Anna Cavazzini (Member of the European Parliament) on the political debate about Digital Product Passports, the Battery Regulation and due diligence for social and environmental risks in global value chains.

Take a look at the impulse paper and presentation to find out more about greening the battery value chain. 

The involved Institutes

Fraunhofer Battery Alliance

Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM

Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC

In this much-anticipated edition of the Fraunhofer Twin Transition Series, we talked about challenges of and the potential for reusing, repairing and recycling. High-performance batteries are key for sustainable mobility, smart energy systems and Europe’s climate neutrality. Additionally, they are the most complex elements in the system with tremendous environmental impact. The European Union acts on this dichotomy with the upcoming Battery Regulation as part of the Circular Economy Action Plan.

Our Fraunhofer experts discussed the technological developments and solutions for the creation of a sustainable, resilient and competitive battery value chain. We deploy key enabling technologies for small-scale portable applications, mobility concepts or large-scale stationary systems and develop innovative solutions for manufacturing and the end-of-life phase. Our Patron, Malte Gallée, Member of the European Parliament and shadow rapporteur for the Battery Regulation, shed light on the political processes surrounding these endeavors.  

Have a look at the impulse paper and presentation to find out more about greening the battery value chain.

The involved Institutes

Fraunhofer Battery Alliance

Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF

Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS

The Fraunhofer Green Deal Series goes Fraunhofer Twin Transition Series.
We talk green. We talk digital. We talk green and digital. #WeKnowHow

Against the background of unprecedented challenges to Europe’s energy system, this edition of our Fraunhofer Twin Transition Webinar focused on digitalization as an enabler of the clean energy transition. Based on the Fraunhofer projects OneNet and ENERSHARE, our experts presented their contributions to the forthcoming EU action plan on the digitalization of the energy sector.

As our patron of this webinar, Markus Pieper (MEP), rapporteur for the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), shared his view of current challenges and explained how the European Parliament is addressing them.  

Have a look at the impulse paper and presentationto find out more about digital solutions enabling the creation of an energy sector fit for the future.

The involved Institutes

Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT

Advanced System Technology branch AST of Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB

During the 5^th Fraunhofer Green Deal Webinar, our researchers presented their contribution to the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy. Drawing on the Fraunhofer projects COGNAC and FutureProteins, our experts presented their research in the areas of smart farming, contained agriculture as well as smart processing and sustainable products.

We were delighted to welcome Norbert Lins as our patron of this webinar, who elaborated on the political perspective and the relevance of research and innovation for the Farm to Fork strategy.

Have a look at the impulse paper and presentation to find out about innovative and coordinated solutions, and marketable products that will enable a highly efficient, climate-neutral, and resilient food system. 

The involved Institutes

Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering IESE

Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME

Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV

Renewable offshore energy is of utmost importance for Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent until 2050. To this end, the EU-Commission published the EU strategy on offshore renewable energy to harness the full potential of the ocean without emitting greenhouse gases.

Further research, technological development, and investment efforts are crucial to realize the ambitious goals for offshore wind energy and enable its reliable grid integration.

Fraunhofer experts presented their contributions in the form of practical knowledge and innovative solutions during our 4^th Green Deal Webinar.

Learn more about the needs and potential of research and innovation in the field of wind energy and energy system technology, upscaling and grid integration in our impulse paper and the presentation. 

The involved Institutes:

Website of the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES

Website of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE

Photovoltaics (PV) offer great opportunities to accomplish the goals of the European Green Deal but their full potential remains untapped to this day. The time has come for a Photovoltaics Renaissance: Europe is world leading in PV R&D, the cost of solar electricity has decreased significantly, and the number of installations is expected to increase sharply in the coming years. The market conditions offer great opportunities. However, there is a gap in Europe’s PV market due to the lack of production of PV within the EU.

Read about the latest scientific insights into potentials for PV in the EU in our impulse paper and the presentation of the 3rd Fraunhofer Green Deal Webinar.

The involved Institute:

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Initiative for a 10GWGreen Fab

Just before summer 2020, the European Commission presented its new dedicated strategy on hydrogen – announcing a set of initiates to strengthen research and innovation, to increase the demand for hydrogen and its production as well as upgrading the necessary infrastructure.

With this webinar we sought to bring you up to speed. We shared with you the latest scientific insights about potentials and policy options for hydrogen in the EU. You were able to directly interact with Fraunhofer experts online:

Prof. Christopher Hebling (Fraunhofer-Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE) welcomed and introduced you to hydrogen technologies in Europe and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and Dr. Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament), as the patron of this webinar, set the scene. After those introductory remarks, the expert presentations by Prof. Mario Ragwitz (Fraunhofer-Institute for Energy Infrastructure and Geothermal energy IEG) on “The hydrogen transformation: Future pathways, sectors and measures for Europe” and Dominik Härle (Fraunhofer-Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS and EU delegate of the Fraunhofer Hydrogen network) on “Next step: Integration of industrial hydrogen applications and large scale demonstration” were given.

Useful links:

Website of the Fraunhofer-Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Website of the Fraunhofer-Institute for Energy Infrastructure and Geothermal energy IEG

Website of the Fraunhofer-Hydrogen Network

In Germany and Europe, the energy policy discussion is currently strongly shaped by hydrogen as a universal energy source for the energy transition. However, the different sectors require a differentiated view and the question arises to what extent a new assessment of the fields of application must be made if compared to the power-to-gas approach (conversion from electricity to hydrogen to methane) with an overall efficiency of around 60%, whereas hydrogen has an overall efficiency of around 75%.

To find answers to those questions, the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE undertook a study and examined the use of hydrogen in the future energy system with a special focus on building heat supply and related it to the direct use of electric power in heat pumps.

In this Webinar, said study and its findings were presented to you by Jochen Bard (Fraunhofer IEE) and in conversation with Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (Hydrogen Europe) and Patrick Crombez (European Heat Pump Association) linked, amonst others, to the EU Strategy for Energy System Integration and the EU Hydrogen Strategy.

Useful links:

Website of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE

Study: "Hydrogen in the energy system of the future: Focus on heat in buildings"

Hydrogen Europe 

European Heat Pump Association

EU Hydrogen Strategy / EU Strategy for Energy Integration