Climate and environment

For the energy transition to succeed and the ambitious climate targets to be achieved, the building stock must be designed to be almost climate-neutral by 2050. To this end, the surfaces of buildings offer large and untapped potential that can be activated and used for decentralized power generation with photovoltaics. This applies to both new buildings and existing buildings. As a bridge between the construction industry and photovoltaics, the Consulting Office for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics, BAIP, has been imparting comprehensive knowledge to architects, planners, those responsible for construction, investors and urban developers since 2019. Topics include available technologies, design options, products, technical feasibility, and legal frameworks. With an experienced team, BAIP offers product-neutral, targeted and personal advice on the use of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and the activation of building surfaces. This team has meanwhile advised on more than 300 construction projects. This initial free advisory service lowers the barriers to the integrated use of photovoltaics and contributes to the widespread use of this technology.

At the same time, BAIP transfers knowledge in the form of further education, e.g. in the context of regular architect training courses, in the training of young professionals at the HTW Berlin (master's course in renewable energies) and the University of Kassel (courses in architecture and design), as well as in numerous round tables, e.g. on fire protection, monument protection and in specialist workshops, such as the Berlin Energy Days. Furthermore, BAIP is involved in the implementation of solar legislation and is a partner in the Berlin BAUinfo Center, among others.

BAIP is embedded in the HZB and thus close to research and development on photovoltaics. Its unique real laboratory for BIPV in Berlin-Adlershof with its solar façade serves as both a research and demonstration object. The scientists study the interactions between the solar façade and the actual building over a long period of time. At the same time, it provides experience from planning, construction and operation from the perspective of architecture and facility management.

Further information

• www.helmholtz-berlin.de/projects/baip/

Climate offices

Global climate change poses enormous challenges for cities and municipalities, companies and private individuals. Stakeholders need advice, detailed data or contact with experts. This is where our climate offices can help: They provide projections and climate models, arrange for suitable experts or develop a forward-looking climate strategy together with their customers.

The offices are staffed exclusively by proven experts. They not only advise decision-makers in politics, business and administration, but also inform private individuals, educational institutions, the media and NGOs. If necessary, they can also put you in touch with scientists at our research centers.

North German Climate Office at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG)

Central German Climate Office at the Environmental Research Centre Leipzig (UFZ)

South German Climate Office at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Climate Office for Polar Regions and Sea Level Rise at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)

GERICS

The Climate Service Center Germany GERICS is our think tank for climate services. Experts from the natural sciences, architecture, economics and the humanities support politics, business and administration in adapting to climate change. Our employees develop, for example, management systems for rainwater so that cities are better prepared for heavy rainfall in the future, or advise companies that have to adapt their supply chains to climate change, for example because rivers are no longer navigable during dry periods. GERICS, a facility of the Helmholtz Center Hereon, offers regional data, information and maps to interested parties.

The focus of the service is on water, energy, ecosystems and cities.

GERICS: Climate Service Center Germany

Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information at the German Aerospace Center (DLR)
In an emergency, every second counts: In the event of natural disasters, on-site orientation is particularly important for relief workers. Which areas have to be evacuated, which access routes are blocked, where can victims be cared for? This is where the Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI) of the German Aerospace Center can help. It provides up-to-date satellite images of the affected areas as well as maps or geodata - anywhere in the world.

This service is now used by numerous governments, situation centers and aid organizations.

Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI) 

Optical Technologies for Situational Awareness Lab OPTSAL
In civil protection and disaster management, during police operations or major events, authorities need a situation picture that is as up-to-date and reliable as possible. The Optical Technologies for Situational Awareness Lab (OPTSAL) uses intelligent surveillance systems such as networked camera drones. In the event of fires, floods or storm damage, they provide images to police, firefighters and rescue workers. Thanks to artificial intelligence, such systems can independently inform emergency services or notify control centers of necessary closures of airspace or roads.

OPTSAL is a Helmholtz Innovation Lab at the German Aerospace Center. Together with industrial partners and the fire department, the team develops and tests innovative technologies and processes for camera surveillance.

Earthquake Hazard: The Geofon network of the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

Where does the earth quake? Which regions are particularly at risk? And what do planners in such areas have to consider before designing building projects? The GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences informs about this with the seismic network GEOFON. Together with numerous international partners, the GFZ produces, for example, live seismograms, but also special zoning maps. The maps indicate which regions are at low risk from earthquakes and are suitable for the construction of complex, highly sensitive facilities, such as chemical plants or dams.

One result of this work is the "European Macroseismic Scale": Developed at GFZ, the scale is now considered an international standard for intensity and risk assessment.

Earthquake Information (GFZ)

Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB)

We are enthusiastic about creative technical innovations. We always keep an eye on possible risks, be it accidents, data leaks or ethical issues. Our central information point is the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB). The office is an independent scientific institution and advises the German Bundestag and its committees. TAB conducts studies and projects, monitors important technical trends and analyzes related social developments. The office is operated by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and cooperates with other research institutions.

Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag