Electrical Energy​ Storage

The energy transition and a sustainable transformation of the mobility sector can only succeed with the help of safe, reliable and powerful battery storage systems. The demand for corresponding technologies for electrical energy storage will therefore increase exponentially. A sustainable circular economy, as addressed by the European Battery Regulation, will also be necessary in order to achieve the goals that have been set. In this context, digitalization plays a central role in the areas of production, usage phase and end-of-life (EOL). The requirements for battery management systems defined as part of the battery passport - for example with regard to transparency in terms of condition and remaining service life - are also driving this development forward.

At our Center for Electrical Energy Storage, we are researching the next generation of lithium-ion batteries as well as promising alternatives such as zinc-ion or sodium-ion technologies. We are looking at the entire value chain - from materials and cells to battery system technology and a wide range of storage applications. In our laboratory infrastructure in Freiburg's "Haidhaus", we offer extensive scientific tests and inspections at cell and system level, as well as state-of-the-art characterization processes.

Research Topics

In the Business Area "Electrical Energy Storage​", our work focuses on the following research topics:

 

Battery Materials and Cells

 

Battery Engineering

 

Production Technology for Batteries

 

Battery Integration and Operational Management

 

Technology Evaluation for Batteries

 

Digitalization in Battery Research and Production

Industry Meets Research @ Freiburg Battery Days 2026

The Freiburg Battery Days 2026, held from April 27 to 29, showcased the latest scientific findings and industrial applications in the field of battery technologies. With over 100 participants from industry and research, as well as numerous exhibiting companies, the industry-focused conference was very well attended. The short presentation sessions followed by speed dating were particularly popular, as they facilitated targeted networking between researchers, mechanical and plant engineering firms, SMEs, and other industry partners.
The positive feedback from participants shows that Freiburg is further establishing itself as a strong hub for battery research and development, where science and industry are jointly advancing solutions for the energy transition and sustainable battery systems.


Services and R&D Infrastructure

We offer comprehensive services for characterization, quality assurance, performance and ageing tests, thermal tests, abuse tests and post-mortem analyses for battery materials, cells and systems:

 

Center for Electrical Energy Storage

Novel materials and innovative production processes for battery systems technology

 

Lab Battery Materials and Cell Production

We develop and optimize sustainable processes on a laboratory and pilot scale to reduce the production costs of battery cells.

 

Lab Characterization and Post-Mortem Analysis

Through our analyses, we identify the causes of performance issues and improve the safety of battery cells.

 

Lab Battery Engineering, Production and Testing

Our tests on the efficiency, aging, safety, and reliability of battery cells and systems.

 

Lab Energy Storage
Application and Innovation

We develop management strategies for battery storage in energy systems.

News on the Business Area "Electrical Energy Storage"

 

Press Release / September 2026

More Energy at the Same Weight: Fraunhofer ISE Optimizes Battery Cells

Together with partners from research and industry, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has modified the structure of battery electrodes so that the battery cells can store 10 to 15 percent more energy at the same weight.

 

Press Release/ March 2026

New Process on Proven Machinery: Projection Welding of Copper on Battery Cells

A consortium of scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and Smart Battery Solutions GmbH succeeded in replacing the steel connectors used to interconnect battery cells with copper during resistance projection welding.

 

News / December 2025

AI-based quality control for sustainable battery production

Dr. Moritz Kroll, team leader of Battery Data Science at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, will establish the independent junior research group NADINE (Battery Data Science) at the University of Freiburg as part of the “BattFutur – Junior Research Groups in Battery Research” program.

Research Project

HELIOS

Silicon-Carbon Composites for Highly Efficient Lithium-Ion Batteries

Research Project

ZACK

Zinc-Ion Batteries with Modified Interfaces Between Electrodes and Electrolyte

Research Project

BatterSense

Multimodal AI-Based Quality Assessment of Battery Cells

Research Project

GRISU

Holistic, Realistic Testing Methods and Innovative Fire Protection Measures in Mechanical Environmental Simulations for Electric Mobility Batteries

Contact

Daniel Biro

Contact Press / Media

Dr. Daniel Biro

Electrical Energy Storage

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5246

Lea Eisele

Contact Press / Media

Dr. Lea Eisele

Battery Materials and Cells

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-2585

Nina Kevlishvili

Contact Press / Media

Dr. rer. nat. Nina Kevlishvili

Battery Engineering

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-2042

Marc Kissling

Contact Press / Media

Marc Kissling

Production Technology for Batteries

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-2838

Nils Reiners

Contact Press / Media

Dr. Nils Reiners

Battery Integration and Operational Management

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5281

Manuel Bergmann

Contact Press / Media

Manuel Bergmann

Technology Evaluation for Batteries

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-2818

Moritz Kroll

Contact Press / Media

Dr. Moritz Kroll

Digitalization in Battery Research and Production

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-2554

Current Publications on the Topic “Electrical Energy​ Storage"