Energy efficiency

Thanks to the new version of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), operators of home photovoltaic systems have benefited from more favorable conditions since the beginning of the year. This is the opinion of the energy advice service of the consumer advice center. Funding has been extended, remuneration rates increased and bureaucratic obstacles and taxes reduced. These changes particularly affect systems with a...

At the second Photovoltaics Summit, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck presented a strategy to strengthen photovoltaics. The strategy includes action plans in eleven areas, ranging from energy policy and securing skilled workers to technology development. "Photovoltaics is one of the cheapest sources of energy and is one of the...

Sustainability is evolving from a marketing asset to a business necessity for companies. This is the conclusion of the Fraunhofer IPK trend report. Due to raw material shortages and rising energy prices, resource-efficient practices are becoming increasingly important. Using data-based methods and intelligent control technology, companies could find the most energy-efficient...

The Building Owners' Protection Association (BSB) criticizes the current draft of the law to amend the Building Energy Act (GEG) as being too narrowly defined and not sufficiently open to technology. In a statement submitted to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) and the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction (BMWSB), the BSB criticizes the neglect of...

The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT is looking for 30 test households for the "SAM Smart" research project. The research project aims to improve the data protection and security of smart home devices. To this end, practical, user-friendly solutions are to be developed that give users an overview of their stored data and how it is used.

How can water be saved in private households? Energy expert Stefan Materne from the consumer advice center gives advice. For example, consumers can save up to 70 percent water by turning off the tap while soaping their hands or brushing their teeth. Those who replace bathing with showering and use an energy-saving shower head can also save water. However, be...

The Agency for Municipal Climate Protection recently started advising municipalities on energy and climate protection. Among other things, local authorities can obtain advice on funding opportunities and help with applications. They can also obtain information on the e-cargo bike directive, for example. The agency operates nationwide. "Cities, districts and municipalities are key players...

Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), the energy transition can be realized more easily. In addition, AI agents will be able to automate complex control processes that are currently still difficult for humans and technology to manage. These are the findings of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE. In a three-year research program...

From January 1, 2024, every newly installed heating system must be powered by at least 65% renewable energy. This mandatory switch to renewable energies will also be enshrined in law in a new Building Energy Act. In this context, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) points out various funding opportunities. If private owners...

Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZ Jülich), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology are currently investigating how innovative printable solar panels can be used in the future. To this end, they recently launched the "Solar Technology Acceleration Platform for emerging Photovoltaics" (Solar TAP innovation platform). The aim is to work together with partners from the...