➀ The UK's Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee will hold its first public evidence session to examine shifting public attitudes toward net-zero policies and the clean energy transition.

➁ The inquiry focuses on evolving public support and opposition, regional differences in attitudes across the UK, and the role of information sources in shaping opinions.

➂ Witnesses include experts from polling organizations, academia, and environmental groups, highlighting the political and social challenges in achieving the 2050 net-zero target.

➀ According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity demand from datacentres is expected to more than double in the next five years;

➁ By the end of the decade, around half of the global energy demand for datacentres is expected to come from renewables, including solar PV, wind, and hydro;

➂ A range of energy sources will be needed to meet global datacentres’ growing electricity needs, with coal and natural gas being the next most important energy sources after renewables.

➀ The Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS) is participating in the European project '4A4PEDs' to promote the energy transition in local communities.

➁ The project, funded under the EU Partnership Driving Urban Transitions (DUT), aims to develop innovative solutions for local energy systems.

➂ The project focuses on four central principles: availability, accessibility, affordability, and the alliance of all relevant stakeholders.

➀ The University of Duisburg-Essen introduces Prof. Dr. Florian Ziel;

➁ Ziel's research focuses on data science in energy and environment;

➂ Ziel develops algorithms for efficient data analysis and pattern recognition.

➀ The Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI), in collaboration with other institutions, demonstrates the potential of heat storage systems in Berlin's quest for climate-neutral heating;

➁ The project highlights the importance of land availability, legal uncertainties, and geological conditions for the implementation of heat storage solutions;

➂ Seasonal heat storage systems, particularly aquifer heat storage, are suggested as suitable for Berlin, helping to shift excess heat from summer to winter and increase the use of renewable energy sources.

➀ The Fraunhofer CINES excellence cluster provides recommendations for achieving a climate-neutral industry in Germany by 2045;

➁ Emphasis on the role of electricity and hydrogen as central energy carriers and the importance of energy infrastructure development;

➂ Discusses the challenges and opportunities for cost-effective and competitive energy systems, including the development of hydrogen infrastructure and electricity pricing.

➀ The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is establishing a unique research environment at the High Power Grid Lab (HPGL) to study the behavior of innovative power grid components under realistic conditions.

➁ The test platform is designed to mimic real power grids and will focus on low and medium voltage networks for regional electricity distribution.

➂ The HPGL is scheduled to be operational by 2030 and is being funded with 32.8 million euros from the Helmholtz Association's strategic expansion investment fund.

➀ The PCIM Europe Expo & Conference in Nuremberg, Germany, is the premier international event for power electronics, intelligent motion, renewable energy, and energy management.

➁ As the leading forum for industry and academia, PCIM Europe drives innovation across the entire value chain.

➂ It has been the established home of power electronics for decades.

➀ Dr. Kathrin Goldammer has been appointed as an honorary professor at HTW Berlin, Faculty 1 Engineering – Energy and Information.

➁ She brings extensive experience in the energy industry and expertise in applied energy research to the renewable energy programs.

➂ Goldammer's professorship focuses on the energy and electricity industry, energy policy, and the social framework for the use of renewable energy.

Dr. Kathrin Goldammer has been appointed as a Honorary Professor at HTW Berlin, starting from the summer semester of 2025. She brings extensive practical experience in the energy sector and expertise in applied energy research to the Bachelor and Master programs in Renewable Energies.

Goldammer has been teaching at HTW Berlin as a lecturer since 2023, focusing on the economic aspects of renewable energy utilization.

Her teaching focuses on energy and electricity economics, energy policy, and social frameworks for the use of renewable energies. Goldammer emphasizes problem-based learning, using practical cases and specific questions related to energy economics to teach her students.

➀ Swansea University's Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) is partnering with the SAFEPOWER project to develop efficient MVDC converters.

➁ The project aims to improve energy systems by creating small, eco-friendly MVDC converters for applications such as offshore wind, solar farms, electric vehicle charging, and HPC data centres.

➂ CISM will demonstrate next-generation power chips based on wide bandgap materials like silicon carbide and gallium oxide, aiming to transfer the learning into high-volume manufacturing.

➀ The European power supply system is undergoing a transformation due to the energy transition, with more and more facilities feeding into the decentralized power grid through power electronics.

➁ The InterSCADA project aims to develop a modular SCADA platform that will help grid operators across Europe maintain system stability in increasingly hybrid AC/DC power grids.

➂ The platform is designed to be flexible and adaptable to dynamic network situations, and will be tested in four European countries to ensure its replicability in diverse geographical environments and regulatory and technical requirements.

➀ The Baelz Foundation has for the 22nd time awarded outstanding Bachelor's and Master's theses;

➁ Johannes Spangler, a graduate of HBC, received the second prize in the Master's category;

➂ Spangler's thesis focused on the analysis and evaluation of refrigeration systems using new software tools.

The formal inauguration of Prof. Dr. Martin Braun as the director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE in Kassel was held recently. The event was accompanied by a symposium on 'Sustainable and Smart Energy Systems,' which addressed the central challenges and future perspectives of the energy transition. The focus was on the current key themes of the Institute: resilience, digitalization, and sector coupling.

In his speech, Timon Gremmels, the Minister for Science, Research, Art, and Culture of Hesse, welcomed Prof. Braun to his new position and emphasized the importance of the work of Fraunhofer IEE in the transition to renewable energies. Prof. Constantin Häfner, the Board Member for Research and Transfer at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, also praised Prof. Braun's contributions to the practical application of research results in the economy.

Prof. Martin Braun, who has significantly shaped the development of Fraunhofer IEE for many years, views the leadership of the Institute as a central responsibility. The Institute aims to develop innovative solutions for the design and automation of energy plants and the entire energy system, with a particular emphasis on close collaboration with partners from science and industry.

➀ Researchers at IIT Dharwad have developed bifacial perovskite solar cells with enhanced efficiency and durability.

➁ The cells incorporate a hybrid three-layer transparent electrode (NiO/Ag/NiO) that allows for high power conversion efficiencies from both sides.

➂ These solar cells exhibit strong near-infrared transparency and maintain 80% of their initial efficiency after over 1,000 hours of operation without encapsulation.

➀ Superconductors play a crucial role in energy harvesting, processing, and storage systems across various applications;

➁ Eaton Electronics, a leading supplier, provides a diverse range of supercapacitors from miniature components to larger modules for commercial vehicles;

➂ These components are essential for renewable energy, IoT devices, and more.

➀ The topic of heating, renovation, and energy has caused dissatisfaction and resignation in society;

➁ Professor Dr. Michael Schaub discusses the current situation and the use of heat pumps;

➂ The cost of converting to a Propan heat pump and the challenges of energy efficiency are addressed.