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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Prof. Dr. Joachim Luther, director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, has been chosen as a recipient of the German Environmental Award 2005. Along with the scientist Prof. Dr. Berndt, Prof. Dr. Luther will receive the most highly endowed environmental award in Europe, worth 500,000€ in total. The German President Horst Köhler will present the award to the recipients on October 16 in Lübeck.
The solar energy economy is booming. As a result of government subsidies, increasing energy yields and higher oil prices, photovoltaics and solar thermal collectors have developed into a promising alternative for generating electricity and heat. With more than 300 megawatts of newly installed solar electric power in 2004, Germany was the most dynamic market for photovoltaics worldwide. In total, the installed solar electric power in Germany is more than one gigawatt. Above all, the environment profits from solar energy use: Its use sinks the environmentally harmful carbon dioxide emissions. In total, Germany saves over 70 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year through the use of wind, hydro, solar, biomass and geothermal energy. However, not only the environment benefits from the expansion of the photovoltaic industry. The technology has become an important economic factor and a motor for generating jobs: At present, more than 30,000 employees are working in the solar energy economy. By the year 2012, the German solar industry reckons with the creation of 100,000 jobs, e.g. in photovoltaic factories and as skilled installers. It is also due to the merits of Prof. Dr. Joachim Luther that Germany is one of the technological leaders in the field of photovoltaics. The director of Fraunhofer ISE is awarded the German Environmental Award 2005 due to his achievements in the research area and in promoting the market introduction of solar energy systems.
"In the face of the definitely limited resources of gas, coal and oil, Professor Luther has prescribed the urgent and necessary change in our energy system. If Germany is one of the leading nations in the use of solar energy today, then it is definitely due to his efforts," states Dr. Fritz Brickwedde, Secretary-General of the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt DBU, in praising the work of the solar expert. "With exceptional skill and specialised expertise over a wide range, he has continuously succeeded in an overall successful way to connect knowledge-oriented pure research on the one side and industry-related development and practical application on the other side.
Since its establishment in 1981, Fraunhofer ISE has been concerned with making solar energy directly useful for mankind. Under the direction of Prof. Luther, the Institute has developed into one of the leading institutes in solar research worldwide. ISE holds the worldwide record for polycrystalline silicon solar cells at an efficiency of over 20%. In the meanwhile, solar cell technology is considered mature to a large extent. "However, the demand for research still exists in the areas of reducing the input material, increasing the solar cell efficiency and in integrating the energy generated by the sun into the existing electricity grid," explains Prof. Luther. Together with industry, the Institute is working to further reduce the cost of solar electricity. With the support of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) for a total of 14 million Euro, Fraunhofer ISE is presently building a production line to evaluate the individual steps in the solar cell production. Here, manufacturers of photovoltaics and machinery can test their products starting next year.
A further area of concentration at ISE is the topic of solar and energy efficient building. Presently more energy is consumed in German households than by industry. New concepts help to clearly reduce the energy demand in buildings. Here, together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, ISE has set standards. As well as thermal insulation, efficient hot water heating and space heating systems, sophisticated solar shading systems and innovative cooling are becoming increasingly more important. Today many modern high-rise office blocks require more energy for cooling than for heating. Using its own building as an example, Fraunhofer ISE proves that other alternatives are possible: In the office areas of the Institute, no active cooling is used.
Prof. Luther is convinced that "the transition to a sustainable energy supply is one of the central challenges for the 21st century. We must use energy much more efficiently and increase our use of renewable energy." This is also the goal of the newly founded Fraunhofer Energy Alliance, of which Luther is the chairman.
The director of Fraunhofer ISE is one of two recipients of the German Environmental Award 2005. The other recipient honoured is the scientist Prof. Dr. Berndt Heydemann. He receives the award for his scientific achievements in nature conservation and as a pioneer in the field of bionics. The well-known maker of animal films Prof. Heinz Sielmann is recognised with the honorary prize for his life work. The television station 3sat will broadcast the award ceremony on 16th October at 11 o clock.
At the Fraunhofer Forum "Solarenergie - Wirtschaftsfaktor und zentraler Baustein einer künftigen Energieversorgung" on Nov. 21 in Munich, the future-oriented technologies of photovoltaics and solar thermal will be presented. As well as the award recipient Prof. Luther and the President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Prof. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, Anton Milner, managing director of Q-Cells AG and Dr. Edmund Stassen, managing director Conergy AG Trends will talk on the trends and potential of solar energy.
Information Material
Fraunhofer ISE, Press and Public Relations
Tel. +49 (0) 7 61/45 88-51 50,
Fax +49 (0) 7 61/45 88-93 42
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Text und Photos can be downloaded from our web site: www.ise.fraunhofer.de
Contact person for further information:
Head of Press and Public Relations
Karin Schneider, Fraunhofer ISE
Tel. +49 (0) 7 61/45 88-51 47
Fax +49 (0) 7 61/45 88-93 42
E-Mail: Karin.Schneider@ise.fraunhofer.de
Prof. Joachim Luther
Fraunhofer ISE
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Criteria of this press release:
Electrical engineering, Energy, Mathematics, Physics / astronomy
transregional, national
Personnel announcements
English
Prof. Joachim Luther
Fraunhofer ISE
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