"The sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly use of energy is one of the major global challenges of the future," says Fraunhofer President Professor Reimund Neugebauer. "Consequently we combine our advanced energy competencies in the USA with an excellent research partner, the University of Connecticut. The Fraunhofer Center for Energy Innovation CEI adds to Fraunhofer USA’s portfolio of energy related technologies and will closely cooperate with the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE in Boston."

Fraunhofer and UConn will cooperate in several areas. In order to develop highly efficient and cost-effective energy conversion and storage systems, the research will concentrate on modern functional materials such as metals, ceramics, micro- and nanostructures, as components for fuel cells and electrolyzers. On the UConn campus, components and subsystems are validated and integrated into flexible microgrid architectures. New methods of membrane and catalyst preparation will be developed, particularly for energy-efficient biofuel production.

To realize common goals, the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS will closely cooperate with the UConn Center for Clean Energy Engineering and the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. “The Fraunhofer Center for Energy Innovation CEI combines the expertise of the founding partners for the development and commercialization of new materials and technologies to improve future energy production and storage owing to an efficient use of resources,“ explains Dr. Prabhakar Singh, the director of the Center. His aim is to accelerate the global supply of affordable and sustainable energy technologies.

About the Partners

Fraunhofer USA, Inc., headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fraunhofer, the leading organization for applied research in Europe. Fraunhofer USA, a 501(c)3 non-profit research organization, operates labs in sustainable energy, biotechnology, computer security, manufacturing innovation, laser technology, and industrial coatings. Its research centers collaborate with major research universities in the United States to bring innovative technologies to the marketplace.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, located in Dresden and Hermsdorf, Germany, covers the complete field of advanced ceramics, from basic research to applications.

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection DEEP is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the State of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the State.

The University of Connecticut UConn has a rich history of excellence in energy innovation. The Center for Clean Energy Engineering, with support from regional, State and industrial entities, has a diverse portfolio of energy technologies addressing emerging global energy and environmental challenges.