Fraunhofer in Chile

Research and development in Chile are strongly influenced by its unique natural environment. From the Atacama Desert, one of the driest areas in the world, astrophysicists have an unobstructed view of the universe. The proximity to Antarctica and strong seismic activity are also conducive to important fields of research in polar and earth sciences. With its many mineral resources (including copper and lithium) and strong sunshine, Chile is particularly committed to the development of mining and solar technology.

The Fundación Fraunhofer Chile Research FCR was established by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in October 2010 in Santiago de Chile. Founded under Chilean law, it was the first research institution that was funded as part of a program from CORFO — a Chilean economic development agency — aimed at attracting international centers of excellence. The foundation currently operates the Fraunhofer Chile Center for Solar Energy Technologies CSET. Fraunhofer Chile Research is the only legally independent Fraunhofer affiliate in Latin America.

Center for Solar Energy Technologies CSET

In May 2015, the Fraunhofer Chile Center for Solar Energy Technologies CSET was opened in Santiago. The center aims to promote the development of a sustainable solar economy and the energy transition in Chile. CSET cooperates closely with German Fraunhofer institutes, in particular with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, and forms part of the Fraunhofer Hydrogen Network.

The center mainly researches innovative solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies. Its focus lies on applied solutions for industry and the public sector, e.g., for the use of process heat in mining and other industries, the implementation of pilot projects in agro-photovoltaics or the improvement and maintenance of photovoltaic power plants. Green hydrogen, decarbonization, water treatment and desalination, and electromobility are important extensions of these application fields.
 

Business areas:

• Photovoltaic systems
• Solar thermal systems
• Hydrogen and new technologies

The center improves and adapts technologies to country-specific climatic and economic conditions together with industrial customers and partners from research and development. The aim is to use high-quality and durable components in optimized solar systems. Fraunhofer Chile CSET offers market introduction services to both German and international partner companies. Feasibility studies, prototype installation, quality monitoring and troubleshooting for photovoltaics and solar thermal systems are just a few examples. In addition, they also address issues in the fields of soiling, forecasting, grid integration of renewable technologies, decarbonization and operations management.

• www.fraunhofer.cl/en/cset.html

Contact

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Dinter
General Manager
Fraunhofer Chile Research

Bernarda Morin 510
Providencia, ZIP 7500781
Región Metropolitana
Santiago, CHILE

Phone: +56 2 2378 1660
email: CSET@fraunhofer.cl