Energy research
The largest artificial Sun in the world
Synlight consists of a total of 149 high-power light sources, each of which is a seven-kilowatt xenon short-arc lamp, as used in cinema projectors. Each source can be individually controlled, which allows various configurations and temperatures in the focal point – even in three simultaneous experiments.
Thermobattery TESIS
With TESIS, DLR is providing a test facility with which storage technologies can be developed on an application-oriented and industrial scale.
Smart rotor blades
The 20-metre-long rotor blade was constructed at the DLR Center for Lightweight-Production-Technology in Stade.
Testing performance and durability of reflectors and receivers
Researchers at the DLR Institute of Solar Research test the receiver performance at the QUARZ Center in Cologne, investigating the percentage of sunlight that the tubes convert into heat . The tests are carried in the ElliRec test stand.
Mirror field of the solar tower in Jülich
At the Jülich site, set up on an area covering about eight hectares, are 2153 moving mirrors that concentrate the solar radiation onto a receiver atop the 60-metre tower.
DLR solar furnace in Cologne
A 57 square metre mirror collects sunlight and directs it towards the facetted mirrors (left in the picture). These mirrors concentrate the incoming radiation up to around 5200 times and direct it to the research laboratory of the Cologne solar furnace (the beam of light can be seen on the right of the image).
Hydrogen production using solar energy
DLR scientists and their research partners test and develop new ways to produce hydrogen using solar energy at the Plataforma Solar de Almería
DLR is developing a hydrogen tank
The test facility for the hydrogen tank at the DLR Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics in Stuttgart.
Hydrogen from wind and solar energy
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers can go from start-up to full load operation within minutes and thus adapt to the fluctuating supply of wind and solar power.
Micro gas turbine
Researchers at the DLR Institute of Combustion Technology are developing special combustion systems in Stuttgart.
Flameless combustion
Nitrogen oxides play an unpleasant role during the combustion of fossil fuels. They are responsible for acid rain and are also harmful to the respiratory tract. DLR researchers have been able to demonstrate that the principle of flameless combustion (‘FLOX®’, or FLameless OXidation) in typical gas turbine conditions promises reliable combustion in power plants with low nitrogen oxides emissions.
Production of hydrogen at DLR
Electrolysis test stand with DLR-developed electrodes for alkaline water electrolysis. DLR researchers are working on more efficient methods of producing hydrogen by electrolysis.
Direct solar steam generation and storage
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Endesa test direct solar steam generation and energy storage in this pilot plant in Carboneras, located in southern Spain. In this type of solar power plant, steam is produced directly from concentrated solar radiation and used to drive a generator. The highlight of this facility is a new system that efficiently stores energy, both as sensible and latent heat. The stored energy can be used to generate electricity even at night.
1978: For the first time, a car in Europe is fuelled with hydrogen
1978: For the first time, a car in Europe is fuelled with hydrogen.
The energy system of the future must be sustainable. Ideally, it should not generate emissions that affect the climate or be at risk of major malfunctions or hazardous environmental impact. Energy should be economical and socially acceptable and its provision should be reliable. Required highly efficient technologies to produce and use this energy are the focus of the DLR energy research.
Media items
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The largest artificial Sun in the world
Synlight consists of a total of 149 high-power light sources, each of which is a seven-kilowatt xenon short-arc lamp, as used in cinema projectors. Each source can be individually controlled, which allows various configurations and temperatures in the focal point – even in three simultaneous experiments. -
Thermobattery TESIS
With TESIS, DLR is providing a test facility with which storage technologies can be developed on an application-oriented and industrial scale.
