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South Africa could play an important role in the coming years as a reliable producer of green hydrogen – including as a supplier for Germany. However, the storage and distribution of this resource currently poses challenges. This is where the recently launched Fraunhofer joint research project HySecunda comes in, which is a cooperation between nine Fraunhofer institutes and the Fraunhofer Academy. The project aims to find optimized solutions for produc-ing, storing and certifying green hydrogen. In addition, the consortium is sup-porting efforts to build capacity in the region and in current projects on hy-drogen-based fuels for the aviation industry.

Avoiding waste, conserving resources, saving energy, reducing CO2 production: On the path towards climate neutrality and in times of energy crises, the circular economy is of particular importance. This is also reflected in the Europäische Woche der Abfallvermeidung (European waste-prevention week), which takes place annually in November in order to increase public awareness regarding the sustainable utilization of resources.

It was delivered this week: The next funding notification for the utilization of funds provided under the program for structural reinforcement. Once again, more than one million euros will flow into the further diversification of regional value creation. Specifically, the funds will be used for the project conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS entitled “Aufbau und Etablierung eines Innovationszentrums durch das Fraunhofer IST als Impulsgeber für Wissens- und Technologietransfer Maßnahmen” (Development and establishment of an innovation center by the Fraunhofer IST as a catalyst for knowledge- and technology-transfer measures).

Who are the hydrogen protagonists in South-East Lower Saxony? How do they work together? And where do the region’s cities and districts stand with regard to dealing with this key technology and the associated challenges? Answers to these and other questions were provided today at the concluding event of the HyExperts funding project “Wasserstoffregion Südostniedersachsen” (Hydrogen region South-East Lower Saxony). Around 70 representatives from regional companies and institutions gathered together at the start-up and business center in Helmstedt in order to obtain information regarding the results of the approximately one-year project work of the Allianz für die Region (Alliance for the region) and its partners. The participants provided a comprehensive insight into their assessment and analysis of potential, thereby illustrating how hydrogen can be created and used in the region. According to the analysis, the region is already well positioned and the protagonists are planning initial solutions or have already initiated them. According to those responsible, it would, however, make sense to improve the networking of regional activities in the future. HyExperts project partners are the district of Helmstedt as the responsible regional authority, Wirtschaftsregion Helmstedt GmbH, Allianz für die Region GmbH, the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, and IAV GmbH.

The Wilhelmshaven region will receive 3,155,217.56 euros for the further implementation of structural change. The money will flow into the “Transformation Wilhelmshaven” project which is being conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST and the Jade University of Applied Sciences. “Transformation Wilhelmshaven” is intended to help strengthen local transition in the industrial structure and the energy industry in order to increase value creation in the region, thereby sustainably improving the quality of life. The funding stems from the so-called “Kohlemittel” (coal funds), which are provided by the federal government for the management of structural change in the former coal-mining areas and which are administered by the Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Bundes- und Europaangelegenheiten und Regionale Entwicklung (Lower Saxony ministry for federal and European affairs and regional development). The Federal Office of Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) has now approved the funding. It will run for three years.

The knowledge platform floating on Braunschweig’s Oker river provides visitors with information in the form of posters which focus on the fields of education, water-treatment technologies and ecological sustainability. “Sauberes Wasser durch Diamant” (Clean water through diamond) is the topic with which the Fraunhofer IST is participating; on the raft, the institute provides an overview of its expertise in the field of water treatment by means of diamond technology. The floating dock will remain open to the public until mid-October.

Shipping the sunshine - How can green hydrogen be transported cost-efficiently from Australia to Germany? This question is being addressed by the Fraunhofer IST in collaboration with German and Australian project partners. The consortium plans to go beyond feasibility studies and to transport green hydrogen from Australia to Germany by means of validated developments in electrolysis technology and model-based evaluations of the hydrogen value chain.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sabrina Zellmer, Head of Department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST in Braunschweig, has taken on not one but two new functions simultaneously. In April, Prof. Zellmer was appointed Professor for Battery and Fuel-Cell Process Technology at the Technische Universität Braunschweig. Located at the Institute for Particle Technology (iPAT), the professorship further strengthens the close alliance between the TU Braunschweig and the Fraunhofer IST. In addition, Prof. Sabrina Zellmer has held the position of Deputy Director of the Fraunhofer IST since 1st July 2023.

A number of companies and research institutions from South-East Lower Saxony are, within a joint consortium, pooling their expertise along the battery-recycling chain and thereby driving forward the circular economy in Lower Saxony.

Information for visitors, customers and partners of the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST: The street Bienroder Weg has been renamed Riedenkamp by the City of Braunschweig. As a result, our address at the institute will also be changing.