Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg

What Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg does

Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN) is a German publicly-funded research institute operating within the Helmholtz Association under its parent organization, Forschungszentrum Jülich. Established in 2013 and headquartered at Immerwahrstrasse in Erlangen, with additional offices in Jülich and Nürnberg, the institute is structurally co-located with Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and focuses on three research areas: electrocatalysis, hydrogen storage and processing, and next-generation solar energy materials.

Its core technical capabilities center on liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) chemistry, electrochemical catalyst development — exemplified by a TiO2@IrOx core-shell iridium oxide catalyst that reduces iridium loading in PEM water electrolysis — and perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics. The institute also operates Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy (LP-TEM) for operando analysis of materials, and is currently exploring end-of-life solar module recovery via its ERC-funded CYBEX project. International collaborations span MIT, UC Irvine (hosting of Prof. Iryna Zenyuk via the Humboldt-Bessel Research Prize), the University of Maryland, and CNRS.

HI ERN's business model is non-commercial: it is funded through institutional allocations from the Helmholtz Association via Forschungszentrum Jülich, supplemented by competitive third-party grants (e.g., €150,000 ERC Proof of Concept grant for CYBEX; €50,000 Archimedes Science Award to Prof. Wasserscheid) and bilateral partnerships such as the strategic collaboration with Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) on tandem photovoltaics. It does not sell products or services to end customers; its "users" of outputs are the broader energy research community, industry partners, and policymakers.

Name

Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg

Legal name

Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg für Erneuerbare Energien (IET-2)

Website

https://hi-ern.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg is a publicly funded German research institute under the Helmholtz Association, advancing renewable energy through electrocatalysis, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and next-generation solar photovoltaics, serving the energy research community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Research

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAGAHAM

Hydrogen Energy Storage & Power-to-X Equipment (electrolyzers, storage, fuel cell systems)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Electrical Equipment & Industrial Electronics/Batteries, Energy Storage & Charging Equipment (Industrial ESS, chargers)

Keywords

• Renewable energy research
• Hydrogen technology
• Electrocatalysis research
• Photovoltaic materials
• Liquid-phase electron microscopy

Headquarters

HQ city

Erlangen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

HI ERN conducts fundamental and applied research in renewable energy, focusing on electrocatalysis, chemical hydrogen storage (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers), photovoltaic materials, and operando characterization of electrochemical processes. The institute develops material- and process-based solutions for climate-neutral and cost-effective utilization of renewable energies through structural and functional characterization, modeling, and manufacturing of hydrogen- and solar-relevant materials at the mesoscale.

Product overview

Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg für Erneuerbare Energien (HI ERN) is a research institute, not a product company. It conducts fundamental and applied research in renewable energy technologies, focusing on electrocatalysis, hydrogen storage (particularly LOHC - Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers), photovoltaic materials, and sustainable energy conversion processes. The institute does not offer commercial products or services; its outputs consist of research publications, scientific collaborations, and educational programs (including the Clean Energy Processes master's program in partnership with FAU).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clean Energy Processes Master's Program Master's-level educational program in clean energy processes offered jointly with Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), targeting prospective graduate students interested in renewable energy conversion, hydrogen storage, and sustainable energy technologies.
• TiO2@IrOx Core-Shell Electrocatalyst for PEM Water Electrolysis Proprietary iridium-based catalyst developed using photodeposition synthesis with 40 wt% iridium content, designed to halve iridium loading requirements and reduce PEM electrolyzer costs in hydrogen production applications.
• Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) Hydrogen Storage and Dehydrogenation Process Technology Process technology for chemical hydrogen storage using Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers, including autothermal LOHC dehydrogenation, process design and intensification, and active coatings/catalyst technologies developed and offered as part of HI ERN's research portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Doubles iridium utilization in PEM water electrolysis
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHI ERN is a branch office (Aussenstelle) of Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH. Forschungszentrum Jülich is the parent organization providing institutional framework, administrative support, and employment for researchers.
• Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAU is a key cooperation partner of HI ERN. Scientists work closely together on sustainable energy technologies. Doctoral students are officially awarded through FAU and can join FAU's graduate programs. Joint research on hydrogen technologies, photovoltaics, and related fields.
• Dual Career Netzwerk NordbayernminorOthersHI ERN is a member of the Dual Career network for Northern Bavaria, supporting dual career couples and helping partners find suitable placements when relocating to the region.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Frances M. Ross GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on liquid-phase electron microscopy (LP-TEM) research. Prof. Frances M. Ross's group at MIT, a leading LP-TEM expert group, co-authored a review article on radiation effects in LP-TEM published in Advanced Materials.
• University of Maryland (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Taylor Woehl's research group on nanoparticle formation mechanisms and liquid-phase electron microscopy. Joint publication on non-classical nucleation mechanisms in nanoparticle formation.
• University of Washington (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in collaborative research on nanoparticle formation using LPTEM and reaction kinetic modeling.
• UC Irvine (USA) - Prof. Joe PattersonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration on LP-TEM research studying electron beam effects on electrochemical analyses.
• CNRS France - Dr. Damien AlloyeauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration on LP-TEM research and radiation effects in electrochemical processes.
• Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong institutional links between Forschungszentrum Jülich, FAU, and HZB enable interdisciplinary research in energy-related issues using complementary facilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• ITM Power plc: UK-based PEM electrolyzer manufacturer and hydrogen solutions provider. Comparable downstream commercial counterpart that translates hydrogen-related research into industrial deployments; thematic connection through PEM water electrolysis catalyst technology.
• Nel ASA: Commercial PEM and alkaline electrolyzer manufacturer that could be a downstream licensee or customer for HI ERN's PEM catalyst IP. Not directly comparable as a research entity but represents the commercial path HI ERN's work could enable.

Direct peers

• Institut für Solarenergieforschung Hameln (ISFH): German research institute focused on photovoltaic research and solar cell technology. Closely comparable in PV materials, characterization, and process research; smaller in scale but highly focused on solar.
• Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI): Swiss national research institute with prominent hydrogen, fuel cell, and solar research programs and large-scale user facilities. Comparable to HI ERN's role within the Swiss energy research landscape.
• Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion (MPI CEC): Germany-based Max Planck institute focused on chemical energy conversion, including catalysis and hydrogen-related chemistry. Adjacent in topic overlap to HI ERN's hydrogen and electrocatalysis work.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): US Department of Energy's primary national lab for renewable energy and energy efficiency research, with very strong programs in hydrogen production/storage and photovoltaics. Closest international functional analogue to HI ERN's research scope.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE): Germany's largest applied solar energy research institute and the most direct counterpoint in PV materials, solar cell processing, and hydrogen-related research. Operates under a different umbrella (Fraunhofer) but covers the same topics with overlapping industrial translation focus.
• Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB): Core strategic partner of HI ERN with shared focus on solar PV thin-film materials, X-ray spectroscopy at interfaces, and renewable energy materials. Operates large-scale synchrotron (BESSY II) which complements HI ERN materials characterization.

Broad incumbents

• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT): Major German research university with strong activity in hydrogen and PV research. Comparable in operating model (combination of university and large-scale research infrastructure) and topic overlap.
• Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH: Direct parent organization of HI ERN; operates across a broad range of energy, information, and life sciences but shares the same Helmholtz mission in renewable energy materials research. Most comparable research operating model and infrastructure access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hi-ern
• Xx.com/hiern_de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg