Fraunhofer ISE spin-off launches heat pump information platform
Heat Pumps Watch will work to change consumer attitudes towards heat pump adoption by delivering evidence-based information on the technology aimed at professionals, policymakers and homeowners.
Fothermo debuts immersion heater for excess PV power
The German company said its new device features a DC input supporting up to 3 kW of photovoltaic power. The heating output can be continuously adjusted between 0 W and 1,000 W. Priced at €549 ($635) including VAT, the heating element is designed for hot water storage tanks with capacities of up to 500 L.
The Hydrogen Stream EU funds eight hydrogen projects under NetZero call
The EU Innovation Fund has awarded €2.9 billion ($3.4 billion) to 61 projects, including eight advancing hydrogen technologies across aviation, shipping, and heavy transport.
Fluence to supply Leag’s 4 GWh battery project, Europe’s largest, in Germany
Fluence Energy says it will supply a 1 GW/4 GWh battery energy storage system for German power producer Leag, marking both Europe’s largest such project and the company’s biggest single installation to date using its Smartstack platform.
Forschungszentrum Jülich achieves world record 23.08% efficiency for copper-metallized heterojunction solar cell
The cell reportedly exhibits only a 0.4% efficiency loss compared to a reference device that underwent full silver metallization.
Bosch starts up 2.5 MW hydrogen electrolyzer in Germany
German industrial group Bosch says the Bamberg facility complies with European Union renewable hydrogen rules and will produce over one ton of green hydrogen daily.
Eco Stor breaks ground on Germany’s largest battery storage project
Eco Stor says construction has begun on a 300 MW/714 MWh battery storage facility in Förderstedt, Saxony-Anhalt, now the largest such project under development in Germany.
Four-year testing finds heat pumps run efficiently even in older homes
Researchers at Fraunhofer ISE have tested various types of heat pumps in existing buildings across Germany over four years, finding that the systems achieved seasonal performance factors between 2.6 and 5.4. The team also showed that PV-driven heat pumps can boost self-consumption rates, particularly when paired with battery storage.
Sonnen launches trade-in program for old solar battery storage systems regardless of condition or manufacturer
The initiative by the Allgäu-based company targets owners of photovoltaic storage systems installed before the end of 2020. The value of the trade-in bonus depends on the capacity of the new Sonnen battery. Sonnen describes the campaign as a “targeted growth initiative in a new market segment.”
The Hydrogen Stream: Germany audit warns of missed H2 goals
Germany’s Federal Court of Audit (Bundesrechnungshof) says the nation’s hydrogen strategy is falling short despite heavy subsidies, while Pulsenics and Endua have launched the first commercial AI-based monitoring system to improve electrolyzer performance under fluctuating renewable power conditions.
