Fraunhofer and MIT establish research center for renewable energy

This release is available in German.

The Americans are still the world champions in energy consumption, but global warming is causing people to change their way of thinking in the USA too. At renowned universities like MIT in Cambridge, research scientists are working intensively on new concepts to increase energy efficiency, save energy and harness renewable energy sources. Their aim is not just to develop new technologies, but also to implement existing technical solutions as marketable products – for example energy-saving houses and cost-efficient solar-energy systems. “MIT will cooperate closely with Fraunhofer in this field,” explains Professor Hans-Jörg Bullinger, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. “The new cooperation proves that our know-how is highly appreciated by elite American universities.”

Alternative energy and energy-saving techniques have so far been a niche market in the USA, but in the opinion of Prof. Eicke R. Weber, Head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg, that is about to change. “Up to now the market for solar energy has been disproportionately low in the USA. In our work with the research scientists at MIT, we would like to create mechanisms which will support dynamic growth in this area.” The partners in the cooperation complement each other ideally: “ISE is one of the world’s leading institutions in the field of energy efficiency and utilization of renewable energy, but our experience has been primarily focused in Europe. The economic and climatic conditions are different in the USA, as are the standards and regulations, and we benefit from gathering this experience locally.,” states Prof. Roland Schindler, who has been appointed executive director of the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems at MIT. “The laboratory will enable us to expand our portfolio and help German companies gain a foothold in the U.S. market.”