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News from applied energy research

Floating photovoltaic system from a bird's eye view. (Symbolic photo) © eakarat – stock.adobe.com
Photovoltaics

Global installed photovoltaic capacity exceeds 2,260 gigawatts in 2024

The International Energy Agency's Photovoltaic Power Systems programme highlights PV developments in 2024 in its trends report.

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Overview photo of the Bracht solar heating network facilities at the opening ceremony on September 20, 2025. © University of Kassel, Department of Solar and Plant Technology

100 per cent renewable: Solar heat powers most of Bracht’s energy needs

Bracht has commissioned a pioneering system comprising solar thermal energy, heat pumps, wood-fired boilers, and a large underground storage tank.

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During hydraulic testing, researchers brought over 1,000 cubic meters of thermal water with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius to the surface. © Baker Hughes
Exploration strategy for geothermal energy

Geothermal drilling in Lower Saxony: researchers extract large quantities of hot thermal water

Promising results in Ahnsbeck in Lower Saxony: Production tests of thermal water indicate a good geothermal reservoir.

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A technician stands in front of silver piping at the geothermal energy plant and holds a gate valve in his hand. © dpa
Geothermal Energy

Geothermal plant provides climate-friendly heat in Schwerin

Since last October, a geothermal plant has been supplying environmentally friendly heat to the city of Schwerin.

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A shell for a sandwich facade element is being manufactured. You can see tubes being cast in a mould. © TU Kaiserslautern/IZES gGmbH
Renovation of existing buildings

More renewable energy with sandwich elements

New heating systems could be integrated into the exterior walls of buildings. It would also be possible to generate, insulate and store energy.

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Agri-PV is an important area of application and development for photovoltaics, as the trends report for 2023 highlights. © Cloudy Design – stock.adobe.com
Photovoltaics

Record year: 456 gigawatts of new photovoltaic capacity added worldwide in 2023

The International Energy Agency's Photovoltaic Power Systems programme highlights PV developments in 2023 in its latest trends report.

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energieforschung.de is the central information site for project funding by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in the energy research programme. Original picture: © Rymden – stock.adobe.com; screen content: www.energieforschung.de
Research communication

Portal world for applied energy research merged

The previous range of topic-specific portals for applied energy research is now combined on energieforschung.de.

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Research should help to accelerate the systemic implementation of municipal heating plans. © FrankBoston – stock.adobe.com
Missions Heat Transition 2045 and Energy System 2045

BMWK publishes call for funding „Vom Plan zur Wende“

The BMWK promotes innovations and new solutions that accelerate the systemic implementation of municipal heating plans.

 

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Aerial view of the Duisburg Gateway Terminal in Duisburg’s inland port, Europe’s first climate-neutral container terminal, opened in September 2024. © duisport/Ilja Höpping
Hydrogen-based electricity and heat

Container terminal tests climate-neutral operations

Duisburg’s inland terminal takes a major step toward climate-neutral logistics as hydrogen systems and smart energy tech undergo on-site testing.

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