Energy research areas

Alternative fuels

Alternative fuels have become a major subject in energy supply and mobility in recent years and are more relevant today than ever before: as fuel in aircraft engines, as fuel for decentralised power plants and as a storage medium for the fluctuating energy supply from wind and solar plants. Alternative fuels stand out due to their high energy densities, simple handling and exceptional versatility in their use.

Decarbonised industrial processes

Industrial processes contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Since industry often uses fossil, carbon-based energy sources as raw materials and often requires high process temperatures, replacing them with renewable energy sources and carriers is difficult. It is not only the raw materials that need to be replaced.

Energy converter gas turbine

A networked energy system in which the electricity, heat and transport sectors are viewed comprehensively as a complex unit requires the use of various different energy converters. Gas turbines can be used to efficiently generate electricity from gaseous or liquid fuels. Today, gas turbine power plants almost exclusively use natural gas.

Energy storage – heat and electricity

The high proportions of fluctuating energy sources in a future energy system based predominantly on renewable energies require the extensive use of efficient technologies for storing energy. Various DLR institutes are researching and developing electrochemical storage systems for electricity (batteries) and thermal and thermochemical storage systems for heat.

En­er­gy sys­tems anal­y­sis

Energy policy and decisions made in the energy sector generally have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. DLR's energy systems analysis helps to identify the opportunities represented by new technologies at an early stage and to reduce the negative effects of today's actions on the environment and on society.

En­er­gy sys­tem tech­nolo­gies

In an overall energy system, local elements as well as technical information and communication elements play an increasingly significant role. This is why the interaction of various spatial levels, the interplay of individual technologies, the adjustment of generation and demand, and increasing digitalisation are such central subjects of research at DLR.

Fuel cells and electrolysis

Hydrogen fuel cells are highly efficient. They use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and heat. Electrolysers reverse this process. They split water into hydrogen and oxygen with the help of electrical energy. Technically speaking, electrolysers and fuel cells are thus closely related.

Mar­itime en­er­gy sys­tems

The maritime sector offers great potential for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. DLR is supporting the transformation of this sector and is developing innovative solutions to reduce emissions and increase the use of renewables through to 'defossilisation'. The research is pooled at the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems.

Solar energy

The conversion of solar radiation into usable energy plays an important role in environment-friendly and climate-compatible energy systems. DLR’s research focuses on the further development of components and systems for solar thermal power plants. The work on components for parabolic trough power plants and tower power plants is carried out at DLR’s own test facilities in collaboration with partners from research and industry.

Wind energy

'From wind to torque with the Smart Rotor' describes the focus of DLR’s wind energy research. This uses expertise derived from DLR’s extensive aeronautics research work to develop more powerful, quieter and simpler wind turbines.

Contact

Dr. Sarina Keller

Head of Directorate Energy
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne