ContiTech Press Releases

Hanover, April 2010Innovative partner to a dynamically growing sector • Tailor-made hose solutions for harnessing solar heat • Further step in reducing CO2 emissions.

An inexhaustible source of energy, the sun supplies the earth roughly 15,000 times more energy than humans consume. Solar energy still has only a small role to play in our energy household but its share is expanding – both in Germany and worldwide. Experts assume that in 2020 photovoltaics will cover as much as twelve percent of Europe’s power needs. According to a study of the European Solar Thermal Energy Federation (ESTIF), solar heat will be able to defray around 47 percent of the EU’s low temperature heat demand by 2050. Alongside this, solar thermally powered processes are also providing a boon for the cooling and air conditioning of buildings. With its potential for ferreting out and tracking technological trends, ContiTech is an innovative partner for the dynamically growing solar industry.

Cross section of a solar roof: ContiTech solar hoses have a part in transforming solar energy into heat.

Photo: Bemo

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Highly flexible hoses transport solar heat
ContiTech solar hoses have a part in transforming solar energy into power and heat. Günter Frölich, head of the ContiTech Fluid Technology business unit: “Embedded in the profile of the solar thermal absorber made by our customer Bemo-Systems, our solar hoses transport the heat transfer medium – i.e. water or glycol mixtures. The heat transfer medium absorbs solar heat and the heated water is conducted to the consumer or into a buffer.”

Whether it‘s Bemo-Sol for generating heat with low-temperature water, Bemo-Sol Glas for higher water temperatures or Bemo-Sol Plus for generating heat and power – hoses used in solar thermal systems have to satisfy extremely high demands in terms of resistance to UV, temperature and chemicals as well as with respect to reliability and durability. As Willi Emde, head of the Industrial Hose segment at ContiTech Fluid Technology, explains: “The material mix and ingenious process technology enable us to greatly influence hose characteristics like chemical resistance, durability and aging.” That’s why, thanks to their material design and construction, ContiTech solar hoses are up to coping with all challenges. Made of EPDM synthetic rubber, the black, pressure-resistant hose boasts excellent ozone, UV and chemical resistance as well as outstanding aging characteristics. It exhibits good low-temperature and thermal resistance and is highly resistant to glycol-based media.

Helps reduce greenhouse gases
Power and heat from the sun make use of a CO2-neutral energy source. In 2009, for instance, around 109 million tonnes of greenhouse gases could be avoided by using solar, wind, water, biomass and other renewable energy sources. ”As a company, it is our duty to minimize CO2 emissions wherever possible,” emphasizes Frölich. ContiTech is, moreover, also development partner and supplier to companies constructing plants exploiting other types of the aforementioned renewable energy sources as well as biogas. “And with a host of components and systems, ContiTech is among those constantly striving to make cars cleaner.”