DLR - Blogs

How far has DESERTEC actually progressed?

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:50:00 +0200

In contrast to widespread public perception, DESERTEC, the desert electricity project, is not simply an investment programme of 400 billion euros or more where a start is made today on a project that will reach completion in 40 years. DESERTEC is far more about initiating sustainable development.

Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems (ECAPS) starts its final experiment campaign

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:50:00 +0200

From the 14th of April the ECAPS High Performance Green Propulsion System (HPGP) experiment started its final campaign HPGP-4, the one planned for the extended mission period.

'The Future of Energy' Year of Science: A different question every week, 1 answer and 150 comments

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:40:00 +0100

During 'The Future of Energy' Year of Science, DLR prepared one question each week on the topic of energy, answered by the science journalist, Jan Oliver Löfken. Users were invited to post their questions and comments on the blog, and we responded as they came in – we received a total of 150 contributions. Read 51 posts on our Energy Blog and see how researchers want to safeguard our energy supply in the future and what policies are being put in place for this in the world of politics.

Energy question of the week: Will our appetite for energy continue to increase?

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:50:00 +0100

Our energy demand can be split into three main areas: electricity, heating, and fuel for mobility. In Germany, every person needs about 6000 watts of power to maintain his or her affluent, mobile way of life. Americans use almost twice that amount. Compare that with people in developing countries, like Chad, who only have 11 watts at their disposal. Is there a need for more and more energy?

Energy question of the week: How will energy provision change over the next few decades?

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Several studies forecast that by 2050, it will be possible for Germany to obtain a high proportion of its energy from renewable sources. DLR also has significant involvement in the expansion of wind, hydroelectric and solar power stations. But what specific changes can be anticipated here? The DLR Executive Board Member responsible for Energy and Transport research, Ulrich Wagner, provides insight into future prospects.

Energy question of the week: Complete autonomy - is there a way to total energy self-sufficiency?

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:10:00 +0100

Electricity costs rise every year, as do gas and oil prices. Almost all German citizens are obliged to use the services of gas and electric utility companies to keep their homes warm and supplied with power. Is there no way out of this?

Energy question of the week: Who uses the most electricity in Germany?

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:50:00 +0100

Since 1990, the consumption of electricity in Germany has risen by about one third. Despite more efficient household appliances - for example, refrigerators, energy-saving light bulbs and computers, the VDE (Germany's trade association for the electrical, electronics and information technology sectors) envisages a further increase of almost 30 percent between now and 2025. There is a vast and currently untapped potential for savings. So, who actually accounts for the majority of electricity usage in Germany?

Energy question of the week: How can urban areas efficiently save energy?

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:10:00 +0100

Germany is a country of towns and cities. Almost 90 percent of the population lives and works in urban conurbations – from Aachen to Görlitz, from Flensburg to Friedrichshafen. The need for energy is obviously highest where these people are located, and that is the key to achieving a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. However, what form should intelligent urban redevelopment take, from transport through residential accommodation to workplaces?

Energy question of the week: What is the EU's strategy for securing energy supply for the future?

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:40:00 +0100

20-20-20. The European Union's energy and climate policies have revolved around these figures for years. By the year 2020, 20 percent of our energy will come from renewable sources, reducing greenhouse gases by at least 20 percent and increasing energy efficiency by 20 Percent. All 27 member states are required to achieve these objectives. But now, Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger, has put forward an energy strategy for the entire EU. What are the most important plans for the future of energy supplies?

Energy question of the week: Can nuclear waste be made safe?

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:30:00 +0100

With the decision to extend the service life of German nuclear power stations and the demonstrations against Castor waste transport, the issue of a definitive solution for storage of nuclear waste is a hot topic once again. For instance, the suitability of the salt deposits in Gorleben, Lower Saxony, is being investigated once again, and other potential storage locations in Germany are being looked into. But is there no alternative to storing nuclear waste for thousands of years underground?

Energy question of the week: Why do solar power stations also need so much water?

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:10:00 +0100

Solar power plants either make use of solar cells to generate electricity directly, or they use heat from concentrated sunlight to generate it indirectly. The illuminated surfaces of solar panels or mirrors must be as clean as possible so that sunlight can be used most efficiently. Water is used for cleaning, but with only 70 to 80 litres of water per 1000 kilowatt-hours of power generation, cleaning forms only the smallest use for water in solar power plants. What do these power plants need so much water for?

Energy question of the week: What progress is the DESERTEC project making on power from the desert?

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:40:00 +0100

Last week the industry consortium, Dii (DESERTEC industrial initiative), invited attendees to Barcelona for its first annual meeting on the DESERTEC desert power project. Top of the agenda were current developments in the plan created by DLR for the future supply to Europe of solar power from North Africa and the Middle East. But what projects are bringing us closer to this vision of future energy supply?

Energy question of the week: How much longer will world reserves of the nuclear fuel uranium last?

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:20:00 +0200

As controversial as nuclear power is, with its still unresolved risks, waste storage problems and high capital costs, it currently meets about 14 percent of global electrical power demand through 430 power stations. However, as is the case with crude oil, coal or natural gas, reserves of uranium 235 – the fuel used in atomic power stations – are finite, meaning that they will run out one day. This poses a simple question: how much longer will our natural uranium reserves last?

Energy question of the week: What techniques are available for storing energy?

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 09:50:00 +0200

Batteries are certainly the most familiar energy storage devices – reliable, available everywhere and convenient. Rechargeable batteries are ideal for cell phones and electric cars, but for large amounts of energy, to overcome shortages in the power grid, they are not the best solution. What other options are available to us today?

Energy question of the week: Why is energy storage so important?

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:30:00 +0200

Whether driving a car, switching on a light, or turning up the heating – we take it for granted that there'll be sufficient energy for us to use at that very moment. But this only works if two basics are in place. Firstly, energy needs to be transported quickly and reliably to the consumer in the required form. Second, energy storage guarantees straightforward access and acts as an 'energy buffer' to fill the gaps in distribution. So, what kinds of storage do we get our everyday energy from?