Electrochemical Energy Storage

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Electrical energy storage and sector coupling technologies are the key to a successful energy transition. Fraunhofer UMSICHT develops electrochemical energy storage for the demand-oriented provision of electricity as well as concepts to couple the energy and production sectors.
 

Battery Development

The development and production of bipolar flow and non-flow battery storage devices are the core of our research. In addition to battery systems and stack design, we also develop optimized materials (electrodes, bipolar plates, and membranes). In addition, we have extensive testing facilities for various battery types.
 

Power-to-Chemicals

In addition to increasing the share of renewable energies in the electricity sector, reducing fossil raw materials in other sectors of the economy is also a declared goal of the energy transition. In light of this, concepts and production methods are currently being discussed that can use green electricity as a cheap resource for the producing industry. This approach of power-to-x production will have an impact on existing economic structures. We develop techno-economic evaluation methodologies for power-to-x technologies and thus answer systemic questions arising from the coupling of the energy and production sectors.
 

Component Development and Fabrication

We develop materials and components for bipolar flow and non-flow batteries as well as fuel cells. Our portfolio includes the design of electrochemical reactors, the system development of redox flow battery and the development of optimized materials such as electrodes, bipolar plates and membranes.

 

Information material of the department Electrochemical Energy Storage | Reference projects of the department Electrochemical Energy Storage

Information material of the department Electrochemical Energy Storage

 

Making PEM electrolysis cost-efficient and scalable

Carbon-based bipolar plates can be a more cost-efficient and scalable alternative to bipolar plates made of titanium – this is what researchers from Fraunhofer UMSICHT and Ruhr University Bochum have discovered.

 

ProPower

The aim of the project is to develop an evaluation basis for power-to-X concepts (PtX). This should make it easier for stakeholders from industry to include and evaluate suitable technologies and business models in their planning.

 

Marvin Kosin on iron-air battery

In the search for reliable stationary energy storage systems that can compensate for the fluctuating power generation by means of photovoltaic or wind energy plants, researchers have once again come across the iron-air battery. Among them is a team from Fraunhofer UMSICHT and the Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences. Marvin Kosin talks about the joint work on a demonstrator.

Reference projects of the department Electrochemical Energy Storage

 

BiFoilStack

Stack designs for fuel cells

The "BiFoilStack" project focuses on the development of stack designs for NT-PEM fuel cells with novel compound bipolar foils from the calendering process for the target application "commercial vehicles".

 

ELuStat

Iron-air battery as stationary energy storage

Within the framework of ELuStat, an iron-air battery stack is created as a stationary energy storage system. It will compensate the fluctuating power generation by photovoltaic or wind energy plants and at the same time contribute to the reduction of CO2.

 

FlexBlue

Making cooling supply systems more flexible

Aim of the "FlexBlue" project: Finding solutions for flexible cooling supply systems against the backdrop of increasing decarbonization

 

HyCoFC

Hybrid compound bipolar plates

 

The "HyCoFC" project is developing a cost-effective, scalable manufacturing process for both hybrid compound bipolar plates and customized fuel cell stacks. The aim is to increase the performance and long-term stability of fuel cells. 

 

H2Giga_PEP.IN

Designing the PEM electrolysis of tomorrow

Fraunhofer UMSICHT is developing a novel stack design for PEM electrolysis based on composite bipolar foils. The stack design is to be manufactured exclusively from thermoplastic cell components using conventional joining processes.

 

KOBIBATT

New fully welded
bipolar battery

Space-saving, scalable and seal-free: Innovative, fully welded polymer-based bipolar battery for mobile and stationary applications increases energy density, avoids the risk of fire, and is cost-effective to manufacture.

 

KONTIFLEX

Mass production of graphite bipolar plates

The project researches the development of continuous production of bipolar plates using roll-to-roll processes. Within the scope of the project, the world's largest bipolar plate has already been developed and produced.

 

PolyFoleR

Compound bipolar foils for electrochemical reactors

The "PolyFoleR" project focuses on systematic map-based material development for compound bipolar foils for electrochemical reactors using membrane electrolysis and PEM fuel cells as examples.

 

P2H compounds

Polymer-based electrical heating components

 

The "Power2Heat Compounds" project focuses on the material and product development of polymer-based panel heating elements and heatable heat-shrinkable tubing.

 

VaFlow

Metallic residues for
energy storage

Industrial vanadium-containing residues are processed into a quality-assured vanadium electrolyte. These are then available to operate efficient energy storage systems.