Pioneering Research of Future Technologies and Solutions for Industry

Applied Research Institute for Prospective Technologies is established

The Applied Research Institute for Prospective Technologies (Protech) was established as a private non-profit research institute under FP5 Centres of Excellence project for Candidate Countries “First Step”. From the very beginning institute is focusing its activities on industry relevant research supporting SMEs and manufacturing industries in Lithuania and EU countries. Successful implementation of research projects with strong industry involvement triggered interest of private investors to work with Protech as a performer of industry level reasearch and technology developer. 

Successful collaboration of the ProTech team with industrial partners promoting PV technologies resulted in establishment of the PV Technology Cluster. Today FETEK under  ProTech coordination is integrating most of the Lithuanian companies, research centres and other stakeholders active in PV area. Main objective for FETEK operation is to provide support for PV industries in terms of technological roadmap studies, industrial research, technology evaluation and transfer, testing and measurement services.     

Open-access RTD and testing infrastructure was established for co-creation

To provide FETEK cluster with important for PV industry competitiveness RTD, testing and measurements services ProTech jointly with industry partners invested into open research infrastructure which was put into its operation in 2011.  Such approach created open RTD environment for companies to test their innovations and novel products to evaluate their efficiency and cost competitiveness before launching industrial production. Successful co-creation of PROTECH with SME’s resulted in innovative business cases, among such: REDIGA, METSOLAR, MET and others. 

In 2011 PROTECH was recognised and included in the list of Research and Studies Institutions of Republic of Lithuania (Order No. V-615, 2011 March 14 signed by Minister of Education and Science ).

Achievement and quality of the FETEK services for PV industry were recognized by EUCLES awarding FETEK by bronze management label, being one o the very first few clusters in Lithuania, receiving such recognition. 

REDIGA

Although ProTech team was already involved in several PV companies launch providing relevant competencies and technologies laying background for their operation and business (Modern E-Technologies, PreMET SC, Intelligent Solar), REDIGA was established by direct ProTech involvement as shareholder with the aim to commercialise developments in smart power electronics dedicated to PV plans operation and IT support.  

Previous technology commercialization activities: 

Modern E-Technologies: so-gel technology, novel PV module technology and thermal storage technology,  

PreMET SC: Solar Cell technology based on self-formation concept with self forming Cu-Ni contacts,  

Intelligent Solar: non-standard PV module technology. 

FETEK won Silver Management Label (one of the two awarded to LT clusters) as high recognition of its efforts supporting PV industry and PV sector.  

PROTECH achieved Accredited Photovoltaic Module Testing Laboratory Status

The National Accreditation Bureau of Lithuania (NAB) has approved accreditation of the Photovoltaic Module Testing Laboratory of the Applied Research Institute of Prospective Technologies and confirmed that PROTECH PV module testing meets the requirements of LST EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 and is accredited to perform photovoltaic module tests.