Aachen: German scientists on Thursday launched what is being billed as the world’s largest artificial sun with the intention of conducting research on the creation of climate-friendly fuel.

German space agency DLR has launched the so-called Synlight device — made up of 149 high-powered lamps totalling about 350 kilowatts — in Juelich, a small town in the western state of North Rhine Westphalia. One of the main areas of research will be efficient hydrogen production with the aim of making climate-friendly fuel for planes, DLR chief Karsten Lemmer said.

The device uses as much energy in four hours as a four-person household does in a year, Lemmer said.

— dpa