IWES facts and figures 2024

Fraunhofer IWES is constantly expanding its scientific expertise and, in recent years, has invested millions of euros in a unique test infrastructure in cooperation with partners and funding bodies. Alongside test rigs for wind energy, the portfolio also includes test sites for systems and components for the production of hydrogen on the basis of renewable energies. In 2023-2024, the Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven (HLB), which has been put into operation, has complemented the portfolio. The ENGEL project is establishing a globally unique testing facility that lays the foundations for a structured and holistic process for connecting offshore wind turbines to the grid. The operating budget for 2024 was down by more than two percent compared with the previous year. At the same time, the funds available for future investments are also declining significantly. This is where the loss of funding from the Climate and Transformation Fund at Federal level was noticeably affecting the institute.

Fraunhofer IWES’ budget of 45.497.669 euros consists of 61 per cent of personnel expenses, and 39 per cent material expenses. In the 2023–2024 period, work continued on expansion of the infrastructure and the Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven (HLB) entered operation. As part of the ENGEL project, a globally unique testing facility is being constructed.

With business earnings of just over 16 million euros for 2024, the institute continues to meet Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s financial targets. The fluctuations were predominantly due to accounting-related allocation of business earnings.

The important internal Fraunhofer key figure "RhoWi" (ratio of business earnings to operating budget) of 35.9 per cent was reached again.

In addition to contracts from industry, Fraunhofer IWES also successfully acquired public funding from the German federal and state governments as well as EU funds, with the largest provider of funding being the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

Scientific excellence is of central importance in acquiring and retaining customers as an attractive cooperation partner and in being perceived by politicians and funding bodies as an outstanding player in the German science system. In 2024, Fraunhofer IWES worked on a total of 82 publicly funded national and EU projects and contributed to technological progress and the innovative strength of companies with eight invention disclosures in cooperation with partner companies and 10 patent applications.

73 master’s theses were completed, 6 research-focused postgraduate students earned their doctorates, and Fraunhofer IWES employees published 92 scientific publications.

At Fraunhofer IWES, specialists work closely in interdisciplinary teams with colleagues from internal service areas to achieve both scientific and economic success. With more than 300 experts from a wide range of disciplines at nine different locations, Fraunhofer IWES can boast continuous growth in an inspiring environment with a modern infrastructure.

Personnel growth in 2024

Due to its broad range of expertise in the field of wind energy, Fraunhofer IWES brings together experts from a wide variety of backgrounds: from wind physics to mechanical engineering, from seismics to software engineering – plus specialists from the in-house service department – a total of 340 highly motivated employees. On this basis, the institute can offer its research partners excellent expertise for all challenges in the wind energy and hydrogen sectors.

A large number of new employees started work at Fraunhofer IWES’ various locations in 2024. Increasing diversity via new hires is of strategic importance to the institute.

The creative minds working at the institute are its key success factors. An active HR serviceaids across all areas to support the "IWES spirit" and foster a positive working environment. The opportunities for training and further development are readily accessible to all employees and transparent and diverse.