Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology

The Fraunhofer IEE in Kassel researches for the national and international transformation of energy systems.

A new study from the Fraunhofer IEE has analysed the economic effects on the European energy system of introducing offshore hydrogen production. The study considers the expansion of the German 70 GW buildout target of offshore wind and examines the economic effects by allowing offshore hydrogen production on two energy islands connected with 10 GW offshore wind each, compared to a scenario where all electricity from offshore wind farms is transported to shore and can be used within the German energy market without further restrictions.

As part of the "Modular, regenerative and self-sufficient energy supply with H2 technology" (MarrakEsH) project, six partners are working on the development and practical testing of new technologies for self-sufficient energy generation and storage using green hydrogen.

The SecDER project has developed a new type of protection system that automatically protects virtual power plants with decentralized energy systems against outages. The system uses artificial intelligence to detect cyberattacks and faults. 

It is not always possible to install as much capacity on designated wind energy areas as originally assumed. . As part of the joint project, MENTOR, the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE is in the process of developing models and methods that show how local restrictions affect the wind energy outputs and yields that can be realized in each case. 

The Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE and its partners in the SyLas-KI research project have therefore developed an AI-supported tool that can be used to create high-resolution synthetic load time series for numerous different consumers. 

Heat pumps are considered an important building block for the heating system of a decarbonized future, as they heat and cool efficiently with electricity. They are particularly useful in an energy system based on renewable energies, as their consumption is easy to plan and the heat can be stored. 

Germany is essentially sitting on a huge treasure trove of unused capacity when it comes to the grid connection of renewable power plants. This is shown by the study on the joint use of grid connection points carried out by the German Renewable Energy Federation BEE together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE.