Press

The construction of new LNG terminals with the aim of reducing energy dependence on Russian natural gas raises concerns that the associated fossil fuel infrastructure could hinder the transition of the energy system to renewable energy sources and thus the energy transition. Therefore, the question of convertibility of these LNG terminals for a later use with renewable energy carriers such as liquid hydrogen or ammonia is of particular importance. A new study by Fraunhofer ISI on behalf of the European Climate Foundation (ECF) addresses this question and finds that there is much uncertainty around the proposed conversion of LNG terminals to import liquid hydrogen or ammonia.

The usage of shared micromobility services has increased in recent years, particularly in urban areas. But can shared e-scooters and e-bikes contribute to the sustainability of cities and their transportation systems? To answer these and other questions, Fraunhofer ISI conducted a new study on behalf of the micromobility provider Lime by fusing mode shift survey data with lifecycle emissions data in six cities around the world. The study also sets out what implications these findings have for industry and practice.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI asked more than 200 manufacturing companies in Germany about their resilience to crises following the Corona lockdown in spring 2020. A resulting study, which has now been published, shows how important Industry 4.0 technologies are for the resilience of companies – and which sectors proved to be more resilient than others.

It is half a century since the Fraunhofer ISI was founded in 1972. To mark this occasion, around 200 guests from research, politics, business and society came together on Thursday at the ZKM (Center for Art and Media) in Karlsruhe to celebrate the Institute's 50th anniversary. The numerous guest speakers included Joanna Drake from the European Commission, Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, and Mario Brandenburg, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF. They all acknowledged the high relevance of Fraunhofer ISI's research - not only over the past 50 years, but also for the future.