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

30 June 2026 | Press release

ERC Funds Recycling Technology for Solar Modules

Materials scientist Dr. Ian Marius Peters of the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nuremberg for Renewable Energies (HI ERN), a branch of Forschungszentrum Jülich, has been awarded an ERC Proof of Concept Grant from the European Research Council. The grant, in the amount of 150,000 euros, will support the CYBEX project. The project aims to further develop a novel technology for recovering critical raw materials from end-of-life solar modules to the point of commercial viability.

24 June 2026 | Press release

World-Leading Researcher Joins HI ERN for Research Stay

Internationally renowned scientist Prof. Iryna Zenyuk of the University of California, Berkeley, has been awarded the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Prize by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. As part of the award, she will spend several months conducting research at the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HI ERN).

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.”

UPCOMING Events

June - July

New Prevention Project “Safe(r) Place HI ERN”

The “Safe(r) Place HI ERN” prevention project is an initiative by the institute to raise awareness of sexual violence and discrimination early on and to promote a respectful and safe work environment. The project is designed as a preventive approach to develop and strengthen existing structures before conflicts arise.

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.