Two directors take over as head of Fraunhofer ISE
Effective as of July 10, 2017, Prof. Dr. Hans-Martin Henning and Dr. Andreas Bett officially assume the directorship of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. Through their academic careers and past leader positions at Fraunhofer ISE, both have already played a large role in building up and establishing the scientific standing of the institute to date.
Prof. Hans-Martin Henning's focus is in the area of building energy technology as well as the system integration of renewable energies. Recently he was in charge of developing a simulation model for complex energy systems, which involved pioneering investigations on the path for Germany's future energy supply.
Dr. Andreas Bett has been working for many years in the area of concentrator photovoltaics and has been distinguished multiple times for his groundbreaking work in this field. The researchers in his division "Materials "“ Solar Cells and Technology" at Fraunhofer ISE are among the leading experts worldwide. With their multi-junction solar cells for use in concentrator photovoltaics, they achieved an efficiency of 46 percent, the highest world record reached to date for the conversion of solar energy into electricity.
Since 2009, both scientists served simultaneously as deputy institute directors and most lately as acting institute directors, organizing the R&D topics at Fraunhofer ISE within the context of the energy transformation. They will continue on this path together. "In the future, we will continue to make the transfer of R&D developments into industrial production our highest priority," says Dr. Andreas Bett. "This includes maintaining our lead in the international race for record solar cell efficiencies. We intend to increase our competence in combining different cell concepts, as in tandem solar cells, and thus cross over into new boundaries." Beyond continuing dedicated research in our five business areas, the system integration of renewable energy will play an increasingly bigger role in Fraunhofer ISE's research portfolio.
"In the past years, we have successfully developed technologies for energy generation which convert solar radiation into electricity and heat. We are adhering to this strategy," says Prof. Dr. Hans-Martin Henning. "The transformation of our energy system is moving now into a new phase: A comprehensive integration of renewable energy at all system levels and within all end-use sectors is pertinent for its success. With this in mind, Fraunhofer ISE is consequently expanding its research activities to include all of the necessary technologies including digitization that will contribute to its success. At the same time, systemic issues are gaining ever more importance."
Besides system integration, these include sector coupling and related technologies, especially storage, hydrogen technologies, building energy technology, power electronics and also solar thermal energy.
