Solar Energy Engineering - SEE

SEE Summer Lunch - In-person connections! ☀️

Even with our program running online, nothing beats catching up with our students face-to-face here in sunny Freiburg.

Big thanks to Sebastian Rubio, David Josué Henríquez, Jacob Myers, Maryam Jahanpanah, Angelos Wafik and Mahyar Jadidi for joining our Summer Lunch.

These future solar energy leaders are blending their studies in our Solar Energy Engineering Master with hands-on work at our scientific partner, Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE, right here in Freiburg.

Solar Power Takes the Lead in EU Electricity Generation ☀️⚡

In June 2025, solar energy generated 22.1% (45.4 TWh) of the EU’s electricity, becoming the largest power source for the first time ever. This is a 22% increase compared to June 2024, overtaking nuclear at 21.8% (44.7 TWh) and wind at 15.8% (32.4 TWh).

This landmark achievement highlights solar’s growing impact in Europe’s clean energy transition and the importance of continued investment and innovation 🌏

As solar expands, integrating grid infrastructure and storage solutions will be key to sustaining this momentum.

Read the full Ember report here: https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/solar-is-eus-biggest-power-source-for-the-first-time-ever/

Our webinar series starts tomorrow! 🔜
Wind & Solar Synergy Week 2025 starts on June 25 at 15:00 CEST.

If you’re working in energy, research, or sustainability, this is a space you’ll want to be in.
Over three afternoons, we’ll explore how wind and solar are powering the future of green hydrogen, through innovation, collaboration, and real-world application.

It’s free. It’s online. And it starts tomorrow.

🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/epprcFFP
✔️ Check the full list of talks on the registration page or below.

Let’s talk about what’s next for energy.

Wind & Solar Synergy Week 2025 | Featured Online Talk

Practical Experience with Decentralised Hydrogen Projects: Ups and Downs by Dr. Markus Ostermeier, Founder and CEO at ostermeier H2ydrogen Solutions GmbH.

Our hydrogen solutions enable local production, storage, and utilisation—whether as a raw or auxiliary material in technical processes, fuel, or seasonal energy storage. By combining electrolysis with hydrogen storage and fuel cells, we ensure flexible reconversion into electricity.
In this talk, Dr. Ostermeier shares insights from over 30 hydrogen projects, highlighting successful strategies and key lessons learned from real-world decentralised hydrogen applications.

🗓️ June 27, 2025 | 🕒 5:00 PM CEST

🔗 Register for free to attend: https://lnkd.in/epprcFFP

Wind & Solar Synergy Week 2025 | Featured Online Talk

Aspects of Strategic Power Sourcing for Green Hydrogen in Germany: Navigating EEG and RED II/III Regulations from a Business Perspective
by Leonhard Povacz, Project Developer at Verbund Green Hydrogen GmbH

This presentation offers a deep dive into various aspects of power sourcing strategies for RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) hydrogen production in Germany, viewed through a techno-economic lens. It explores the regulatory implications of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and the European Renewable Energy Directives (RED II & III).

Key topics include additionality, timely correlation, and electricity quality—alongside technical considerations such as electrolyser minimum load and pipeline feed-in profiles. The session will also examine commercial aspects like client demand profiles, offering practical insights from a business perspective.

🗓️ June 27, 2025 | 🕒 4:00 PM CEST
🔗 Register for free to attend: https://lnkd.in/epprcFFP

Wind & Solar Synergy Week 2025 | Featured Online Talk

Production and Utilization of Green Hydrogen in the Steel Industry
by Dr.-Ing. habil.Matthias Jahn, Head of the Energy and Process Engineering Department and Head of Environmental and Process Engineering Business Division at Fraunhofer IKTS.

The steel industry is among the world’s largest CO₂ emitters due to its fossil-based production methods. This presentation will outline both conventional steelmaking processes and innovative green hydrogen-based alternatives, including carbon direct avoidance strategies. It will compare various technological approaches for CO₂ reduction and energy efficiency, and highlight the SALCOS initiative at Salzgitter AG as a case study. The talk also explores the potential for new value chains in sustainable steel production powered by renewables.

🗓️ June 27, 2025 | 🕒 3:00 PM CEST

🔗 Register for free to attend: https://lnkd.in/epprcFFP

Wind & Solar Synergy Week 2025 | Featured Online Talk

Global Production & Logistics of Green Hydrogen: Key Techno-Economic Insights & Latest Scientific Advances
by Dr.-Ing. Christoph Hank, Head of Team System Analysis and Assessment – Hydrogen Technologies Division at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE)

Green hydrogen is a key pillar in the defossilization of global energy systems. As future energy and chemical demands continue to rise, international imports of hydrogen and its derivatives will play a critical role. In this session, Dr. Hank will present Fraunhofer ISE's research on identifying optimal global locations for renewable energy parks and PtX hubs, along with future cost projections for green hydrogen supply chains.

🗓️ June 26, 2025 | 🕒 5:00 PM CEST
🔗 Register for free to attend: https://lnkd.in/epprcFFP

Wind & Solar Synergy Week 2025 | Featured Online Talk

Regulation and Certification of Green Hydrogen
by Dr. Jakob Wachsmuth, Head of the Renewable Energies Business Unit at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI)

Hydrogen produced from solar and wind energy is critical for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. However, to ensure effective climate mitigation, clear regulation and robust certification systems are essential to guarantee low greenhouse gas emissions in production. This session will explore the current EU regulatory framework for green hydrogen and its practical implications for developing successful hydrogen projects.

🗓️ June 26, 2025 | 🕒 4:00 PM CEST
🔗 Register for free to attend: https://lnkd.in/epprcFFP

Wind & Solar Synergy Week 2025 | Featured Online Talk

Cost-Effective Hydrogen Production in an Environment of 100% Wind & Solar Electricity in Germany by Dr. Eric Rüland, Vice President Sales & Products RCT GH Hydrogen.

In a 100% wind and solar-powered electricity system in Germany, cost-effective hydrogen production plays a vital role in energy storage and system flexibility. This talk analyzes how much hydrogen can be produced under such conditions and assesses the additional costs involved. The results offer insights into the economic and strategic value of hydrogen in a fully renewable energy future.

🗓️ June 26, 2025 | 🕒 3:00 PM CEST

🔗 Register for free to attend: https://lnkd.in/epprcFFP

Wind & Solar Synergy Week 2025 | Featured Online Talk

Creating an Energy Map to Assess Green Hydrogen and PtX Potentials in Kenya by Christoph Zink, Research Associate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE)

This presentation introduces the development of an energy map to assess the potentials for green hydrogen and Power-to-X technologies, including previously unpublished content. It examines geographical and technological factors influencing PtX production and use, with a focus on integrating renewable energies, infrastructure needs, and market opportunities. Energy maps are essential tools in holistic energy system analysis, helping guide decision-makers and industry toward strategic action.

🗓️ June 25, 2025 | 🕒 5:00 PM CEST

🔗 Register for free to attend: https://lnkd.in/epprcFFP

Wind & Solar Synergy Week 2025 | Featured Online Talk

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) for Hydrogen Production in High-Irradiance Regions – Technology Overview and Advantages by Dr.-Ing. Frank Dinter, General Manager of Fraunhofer Chile Research and Director of the Center for Solar Energy Technologies (FCR-CSET)

Our speaker will provide a comprehensive overview of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technology and its potential for green hydrogen production, particularly in high-irradiance regions. The session will highlight the technological benefits of CSP, its integration with hydrogen systems, and its relevance in the global transition to clean energy.

🗓️ June 25, 2025 | 🕒 4:00 PM CEST

🔗 Register for free to attend: https://lnkd.in/epprcFFP