Whilst the utilisation of offshore wind energy promises higher electricity yields per turbine than on land, it also places higher technical demands on all components. The wind turbines therefore have to be specially adapted and designed for use at sea. In order to have precise planning data available and to close gaps in knowledge, research platforms have been constructed that are equipped with scientific measurement instruments. These are FINO 1 (2003, North Sea), FINO 2 (2007, Baltic Sea) and FINO 3 (2009, North Sea). The BINE Projektinfo brochure “Conducting research in the middle of the ocean” (17/2011) gives an overview of the scientific focal points for the individual platforms and a selection of results.  more...

An estimated 1.4 billion people worldwide (mostly living in rural regions) and approximately 300,000 buildings in Europe are not connected to a central electricity grid. Stand-alone grids can be used here to establish a cost-effective and reliable electricity supply. In these stand-alone grids, different renewable power generators such as photovoltaics, wind energy and biogas are combined with a battery system and diesel generator (if required due to the geographical position). The BINE Projektinfo brochure “New operating system for stand-alone grids” (16/2011) introduces newly developed technical standards which optimise the construction, operation, control and administration of stand-alone grids.  more...

Rotor blades on wind turbines are highly stressed, complex components that must be capable of withstanding enormous loads for many years. This especially applies to new offshore wind farms, where the blades are also confronted with salt water and gale-force winds. Additionally, technicians are only able to work on-site when the weather is calm. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES) in Bremerhaven can now simulate the harsh reality of offshore conditions in four to six months on an onshore test rig for rotor blades, and are thus able to provide statements on the complete service life of more than 20 years. The work of the Competence Center Rotor Blades is detailed in the BINE Projektinfo brochure “The time machine for rotor blades” (15/2011).  more...

In spring and autumn in particular, there are many short periods of fluctuating temperatures caused by alternating warm and cold days. Inside a building, the effect of such temperature fluctuations is felt with a significant time lag. Quite often, enough heat is stored in building components and fixtures for a while; there is still plenty of waste heat or solar energy influx. Researchers have developed a new concept for a heating control system with integrated weather data, which is currently being tested in three administrative buildings. The BINE Projektinfo brochure “When weather forecasts control the heating” (14/2011) introduces the system, the demonstration buildings and initial results.  more...

Much waste heat is generated in industrial production and power generation. It is estimated that a quarter of energy production in Germany is lost this way. Waste heat is currently often emitted into the atmosphere unused because there are no suitable technical procedures that allow it to be used efficiently. In order to utilise these untapped energy resources and turn them into electricity, a technology company from Saarland, Germany, has combined a steam expansion engine with ORC technology. The BINE Projektinfo brochure "Transforming waste heat into electricity" (13/2011) introduces the system and some initial results from a field test.  more...

Short circuits are expensive for power plants and electricity grids. Already during the construction of the plants, each component has to be designed to withstand the maximum possible loading in the case of a short circuit. If an incident does actually occur, downtimes and damaged system components can cause additional costs. The BINE-Projektinfo brochure “Superconductive fault current limiters in power plants” (12/2011) presents a new kind of system for controlling short circuits that can substantially increase the safety, availability and reliability of electrical systems in power plants and when expanding electricity grids.  more...

In Germany, industrial process heat comprises around 10% of the energy requirements. Part of it can be generated with solar thermal systems. Using twelve collectors that track the sun’s position, a metal processing company in Ennepetal, Germany, has for the first time generated saturated steam and integrated it into an existing steam network. The pilot system is presented in the new BINE-Projektinfo brochure “The sunny side of saturated steam” (11/2011). In this research project, the process’s operational basis for utilising solar process heat was tested and optimised, whereby a particular focus was on the future use of such systems in more southern parts of the globe.  more...

Freely travelling through the countryside with the mobile home, as and when it suits them, is a very popular leisure activity for modern, recreational nomads. People stop where the landscape and weather pleases them, but would nevertheless like to have mobile accommodation with comforts similar to home. However, fridges, TVs, lighting and air conditioning systems require electricity, which remote from all grids is expensive and difficult to obtain. The BINE-Projektinfo brochure “On-board power supply with fuel cells” (10/2011) presents a newly developed on-board fuel cell system that provides mobile homes, boats and holiday chalets with the desired comfort.  more...

At many places in Germany, deep geothermal heat provides a climate and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels for supplying electricity and heat. However, in order to find sufficient temperatures and water at great depths using expensive boreholes, planners require detailed information in advance. This is where the GeotIS geothermal information system comes into play. The BINE-Projektinfo brochure “On the trail of deep geothermal energy” (09/2011) presents the system, which provides easy access to online data on geothermal potentials and sites in Germany.  more...

New technological developments make that possible. A kilowatt-hour of solar electricity can be generated increasingly cheaper and the industry is close to achieving grid parity. The cost of generating solar power would then be roughly equivalent to what end users currently have to pay for their household electricity. The BINE-Themeninfo brochure “Photovoltaics - Innovations” (II/2011) presents the latest research and development work on new solar cells concepts and production technologies.  more...

In the chemical industry, carbide is an important base material for fertilisers and in the production of raw iron. Until now, the synthesis of carbide has principally been based on the use of coal and coke, which have become increasingly more expensive as a result of the high worldwide demand for energy. However, the carbon required for producing carbide can also be obtained from plastic waste. The BINE Projektinfo brochure “Producing carbide using plastic waste” (08/2011) presents a new process that enables the material- and energy-based use of residues from the processing industry and is now entering regular operation.  more...

The phasing out of nuclear power and the growing contribution of renewable energies will accelerate the structural transformation of electricity supplies in Germany. In future, the electricity generation will be more decentralised, information on the production and demand will be continually exchanged, and there will be more flexible load- and supply-dependent tariff. Two recently published BINE-Projektinfo brochures present research projects within this context.  more...

Gas- and, in particular, coal-fired power plants will have to become more efficient and produce fewer emissions in order to compete in the future energy mix. They will be needed to ensure the stability of the electricity grid for several years by balancing out the electricity generated from renewable energies, which fluctuates according to the time of day and season. The recently published BINE-Projektinfo brochure “Comparison of electricity production from fossil fuels” (05/2011) presents simulation models for making realistic and standardised comparisons of modern, fossil-fuelled power plant processes. The research work was conducted at the Hamburg-Harburg University of Technology.  more...

Last summer Madrid hosted the Solar Decathlon for the first time, which was inspired by the American competition of the same name. In this international competition, student teams are tasked with developing and constructing experimental and pioneering homes that use solar energy as their only energy source. The recently published BINE-Projektinfo brochure “Buildings of the future successful in decathlon” (04/2011) provides an overview of the competition requirements, the four German entries and their results.  more...

Food packaging has to meet high demands: it has to appeal to customers, pose no risks to health and be cheap to manufacture. A central role is played here by the printing process and the inks used. In a joint energy research project, four companies from different areas of the printing industry have developed a new process that has now reached market maturity. The recently published BINE-Projektinfo brochure “The packaging Olympics: Better, quicker and more economic” (03/2011) details the printing process, the optimised production procedures, the energy savings achieved and the environmental benefits.  more...

In part of the “Am Ackermannbogen” housing estate near the Munich Olympic Park, a solar thermal system supplies almost half the heat required for space and domestic hot water heating. Together with a large-scale heat storage tank and heat pump, around 2,800 square metres of collector surface area supply four large apartment buildings and eight town houses. All buildings meet the requirements of the latest German Energy Saving Ordinance. Since it began operation in 2007, the solar project has been scientifically monitored. The new BINE-Projektinfo brochure “Summer sun against the winter cold” (02/2011) presents the local solar heating concept realised there as well as the operating experiences and measurement values from two heating periods.  more...

Since 2007, a research project organised by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment has been providing both conceptual and specialist support to regions that want to transform their energy generation to using 100% renewable energies. This usually starts with a policy decision and the development of general principles. In addition to efficiency measures, a decisive element for the transformation is decentralised energy generation that combines wind and solar energy, biomass, hydroelectric power and geothermal power. The recently published BINE-Projektinfo brochure “On route to renewable energy regions” (01/2011) presents the general principles, approaches and selected examples.  more...

What works for thermos flasks can also be used for thermally insulating buildings: insulation by means of a vacuum. Vacuum insulation panels and vacuum glazing improve the thermal insulation not through having more material but by reducing the thermal conductivity. This means that even a very thin structure achieves excellent performances. The new BINE-Themeninfo brochure “Insulation through vacuums” (I/2011) explains the basic principles behind the new thermal insulation technology, its potential applications and also its special features.  more...