With this letter of intent, both sides confirm their plans for cooperation. On the one hand, Fraunhofer and the MOEI intend to drive innovative research and development projects. These projects include integrated energy systems, sustainable energy, green and blue hydrogen technologies and infrastructure, water desalination and treatment technologies, sustainable building materials as well as the decarbonization of transport, health care, bioeconomy and food chains. On the other hand, this will also examine potential research and development services that Fraunhofer could provide for the establishment of a sustainable MOEI R&D and innovation center in the UAE.

So far, four Fraunhofer institutes are involved in the collaboration between the MOEI and Fraunhofer: the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Energy IEG.

Global demand for Fraunhofer research

Robert Habeck, the German Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, said: “I welcome the planned collaboration between Fraunhofer and the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Fraunhofer is one of the leading players in the field of applied energy research. When it comes to the development of energy strategies, the establishment of living laboratories and hydrogen in general, we see great potential for the German-Emirati Energy Partnership to take our cooperation to the next level. The aim is to jointly create the basis for decarbonizing the energy sector in a timely manner and thus to contribute to achieving the Paris Agreement. In particular, there is great need for research in the fields of production, storage and transport of green hydrogen in the UAE as well as the import and application in Germany.”

“Moving away from conventional energy sources is a challenge that requires a global effort and cooperation at the supranational level. International research cooperation in particular is needed to leverage synergies and develop new sustainable technologies that support the global energy transition,” explains Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. “The signing of the MoU between the MOEI and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is an important step in paving the way for future research and development projects from which both sides benefit. Our goal is to establish an innovation ecosystem for shared and sustainable economic activities in which elements of the energy and hydrogen economies interact — with closed material and substance cycles following the principles of a circular economy.”