HI ERN | EN

Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy

The Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HI ERN) investigates and develops material- and process-based solutions for a climate-neutral, sustainable, and cost-effective utilization of renewable energies. The institute works on the structural and functional characterization, modeling, and processing of materials relevant to hydrogen and solar technology. The common goal is the understanding of structure-performance-process relationship on the mesoscale.

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RECENT NEWS

19 March 2026

Research for listening: We’re launching our podcast “Bright Futures”

Research on energy in audio format: With our new podcast, “Bright Futures,” we bring you the latest topics in an accessible, compact format close to research.

13 March 2026

Research with Impact: Archimedes Science Award for Prof. Peter Wasserscheid

The 2026 Archimedes Science Award will be presented to Prof. Peter Wasserscheid. The award honors a researcher who has had a significant impact on the development of modern hydrogen technologies over many years. The ceremony for the award, accompanied by a prize of 50,000 euros, will take place on September 9, 2026, as part of the “Building Bridges” conference in Dresden.

10 March 2026

HI ERN signs the “Erlanger Erklärung“

A clear commitment to diversity and democracy: HI ERN has signed the “Erlanger Erklärung” and is sending a strong message for an open urban society.

28 January 2026

Research in Motion: Understanding and Classifying Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy

On January 24 and 25, young researchers attended this year's Gordon Research Seminar on “Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy (LP-EM),” titled “Deciphering Dynamic Processes Using Correlative In Situ and Operando Microscopy.”

31 October 2025

7Ex Wins JUICE Innovation Contest 2025 – Turning Science into Business

At this year’s JUICE Innovation Contest, six teams from Forschungszentrum Jülich pitched how their science could become real-world innovation. The jury awarded first place to 7Ex, with the participation of Max Meyer (HI ERN), for its breakthrough in sustainable lithium recovery. H2Cycle and NeuroSense took second and third place.

29 October 2025

12th Long Night of Science: Open doors at HI ERN for night owls

Practical demonstrations, exclusive laboratory tours, and exciting questions about hydrogen and photovoltaic research at HI ERN: The Long Night of Science once again offered numerous curious visitors exciting insights into science.

UPCOMING Events

Degree programme | Lecture series

Study for a better future with Clean Energy Processes

The energy transition is one of the great challenges of our time: Where will energy come from in the future? And how can it be stored and used efficiently in a sustainable chemical industry? The focus is on sustainable production as well as the distribution and use of renewable energies for industry - always taking into account socio-economic, ecological and legal factors. Students benefit from a research-strong, interdisciplinary approach as well as FAU's close ties to HI ERN.