The energy transition is directly coupled with the resource transition, as fossil fuels are replaced by sustainable raw materials to generate clean electricity and heat. In the bioeconomy, bio-based raw materials and biotechnologies are used to produce sustainable products, such as textiles, paper, building materials, but also basic chemicals for further processing. At the end of the products' lifetime, bio-materials can then be used to release or store energy, for example by using them in pyrolysis processes to produce hydrogen as well as synthetic fuels. Through the principle of cascade utilization, materials are thus used many times over and fed into a closed-loop process in which material and energy recycling also go hand in hand.

Furthermore, when biological feedstock is produced in crop cultivation, electricity can be generated at the same time. Concepts such as agri-photovoltaics combine electricity and crop production by constructing solar modules in such a way that agricultural use remains possible on one and the same area.

On the one hand, Agri-PV offers the possibility to use land with an agricultural connection several times, for the cultivation of food, the generation of renewable electricity and even the production of biodiversity areas. For this purpose, solar modules are mounted so high that plants can grow well underneath and the farmer can farm comfortably.

On the other hand, the Agri-PV provides a benefit in that it also offers the plants protection against extreme weather situations. Damage caused by heavy rain, hail, storms or heat and frost can be cushioned and major crop losses prevented. At the same time, we are already seeing in some studies that the microclimate in Agri-PV systems can be designed favorably so that, for example, water loss through evaporation is reduced.

In our projects, we conduct research on the topics of plant growth, technology conception and social acceptance. Only if agricultural use works will Agri-PV have a future.

Plants under power

A pyrolysis process is used to convert biological residues into hydrogen and then synthetic fuels. In a high-temperature process under a defined atmosphere, the starting material is converted into a synthesis gas consisting of H2 and CO, which can then be further processed. The residual material is ash.

Our task in the current initiatives is to identify and analyze biological residual material flows, for example for their energy content. We see the cultivation of energy crops as problematic due to the growing pressure on land and are therefore focusing on the cascade use of organic products, in which energy can be released at the end of the material use of materials. Potential analysis of residual material flows can then provide information, for example, on the sectors - transport, industry, buildings, etc. - in which synthetic fuels could be used. - the use of synthetic fuels can take place against the background of resource availability.