News
Humboldt-Universität and quantumReality extend their research collaboration in electrochemistry
Successful Research Collaboration Enters the Next Phase: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Potsdam-based Science VC quantumReality Extend Cooperation to Develop Digital Twins for Electrolysis Plants by Two Years with…
Materials chemistry shapes the future of catalysis
Emerging developments in operando analytics, data-driven discovery and autonomous robotics are transforming synthesis into the central tool for the targeted development of smart and adaptive electrocatalysts:
The synthesis of materials can serve as a tool for developing smart, adaptive electrocatalysts. This rapidly evolving field of research involves in-situ analytics, data-driven discoveries and autonomous robotics.…
New calculator supports the planning of electric commercial vehicle fleets
Reiner Lemoine Institute develops an easy-to-use, hands-on service for businesses:
Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI) has released the STELE Calculator, a new online tool designed to help companies plan their fleets of heavy-duty and commercial electric vehicles. For the first time, the tool enables a…
Electrocatalysts: New model for charge separation at the solid-liquid interface
New model describes the processes at the interface for the first time, thereby enabling targeted strategies for material design:
Hydrogen is at the heart of the transition to carbon neutrality, as both an energy carrier and a reagent for green chemistry. However, large-scale production of hydrogen via electrolysis, as well as the production of…
Humboldt Fellows at HZB Institute for Solar Fuels
Grants for two researchers are funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation:
Alexander R. Uhl, UBC Okanagan School of Engineering in Kelowna, Canada, aims to develop with Roel van de Krol from the HZB Institute for Solar Fuels an efficient and inexpensive photoelectrolyser for producing…
Einstein Professorship for HU chemist Kallol Ray
The Einstein Foundation is funding the scientist’s research in the field of green chemistry:
Chemist and leading expert in bioinorganic chemistry and catalysis Prof. Dr. Kallol Ray will receive an Einstein Professorship from 1 April. His research in the field of green chemistry will be funded. Kallol Ray is…
Catalysis research at HZB gets new facility
The facility built by ILS is the largest single investment in the CatLab project:
As part of the CatLab project, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) has acquired a unique facility for measuring the catalytic performance of thin-film catalysts. Built by ILS in Adlershof, it has now been delivered.…
Open data infrastructure for municipal heat planning
New research project launched by Reiner Lemoine Institute and University of Osnabrück:
Launch of the project for open data infrastructure for municipal heat planning results: The partners from the Reiner Lemoine Institute and the University of Osnabrück met in Berlin to kick off the project. What they…
A record year for the HZB living lab for building-integrated solar facades
The solar modules on the facade of the Adlershof research building produced almost 32 MWh of electricity in 2025:
In 2025, the solar facade of the BIPV living laboratory (BIPV – Building integrated photovoltaics) in Berlin-Adlershof generated more electricity than in any of the previous four years of operation. With about 32…
A proving ground for pioneers
Researchers and developers at the Adlershof Technology Park are still making history in the aviation and aerospace sector:
The aviation pioneer Melli Beese died a century ago. In the very place that she once helped shape, researchers and developers are still making history in the aviation and aerospace sector—with excellent technologies…
Energy-efficient renovation of your own home
Research project shows need for information and helps with online guide:
It is difficult for homeowners to get an overview of the topic of energy-efficient building renovation. There is a lack of information, especially with regard to suitable heating technologies, subsidy conditions and…
Flexibility could reduce electricity generation from gas-fired power plants by up to 45 percent by 2045
Analysis by BUND and Gaswende with calculations by RLI shows advantages of flexibility in the energy system:
The German government is currently pushing ahead with the construction of new climate-damaging gas-fired power plants as part of its power plant strategy. A new analysis by the organizations Bund für Umwelt und…
Bright prospects for tin perovskite solar cells
Tin-based perovskites promise enormous potential for the production of environmentally friendly, stable solar cells:
Perovskite solar cells are widely regarded as the next generation photovoltaic technology. However, they are not yet stable enough in the long term for widespread commercial use. One reason for this is migrating ions,…
Joint Kyiv Energy and Climate Lab goes live
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy establish joint centre for research and education:
The Academic Council of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy approved the establishment of KECLab - the Kyiv Energy and Climate Lab. KECLab is designed to become a modern, internationally connected energy…
Peat as a sustainable precursor for fuel cell catalyst materials
Research at BESSY II for more economical and sustainable energy production:
Iron-nitrogen-carbon catalysts have the potential to replace the more expensive platinum catalysts currently used in fuel cells. This is shown by a study conducted by researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin…
How can a successful transformation of the heat supply be achieved?
RLI is part of a research project on climate-neutral development of the heating and electricity sector in Birkenwerder and Hohen Neuendorf:
How can the Brandenburg municipalities of Birkenwerder and Hohen Neuendorf supply themselves with climate-neutral heat using renewable energies? What impact will this have on the power grid? What measures are…
Helmholtz Investigator Group on magnons
Dr Hebatalla Elnaggar wants to create the foundations for a new extremely efficient information technology:
Dr Hebatalla Elnaggar is setting up a new Helmholtz Investigator Group at HZB. At BESSY II, the materials scientist will investigate so-called magnons in magnetic perovskite thin films. The aim is to lay the…
Successful tests on underground heat storage in Berlin-Adlershof
Preliminary investigations by the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences for Berlin's largest heat storage facility have been completed:
Energy storage is an essential component of a secure, resilient and renewable energy supply. In order to balance supply and demand in the field of renewable heat supply, large heat storage facilities are needed, for…
In Memoriam Klaus Thiessen
Optoelectronics specialist and solar energy pioneer:
Professor Klaus Thiessen passed away on 3 July 2025 at the age of nearly 98. The internationally recognised expert in optoelectronics remained a committed bridge-builder between science, industry, and society well…
Long-term stability for perovskite solar cells: a big step forward
A Teflon-like layer ensures exceptional stability and consistent efficiency:
Perovskite solar cells are inexpensive to produce and generate a high amount of electric power per surface area. However, they are not yet stable enough, losing efficiency more rapidly than the silicon market…