Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
In the »Center for Electrical Energy Storage«, Fraunhofer ISE focuses on two main areas: battery storage technologies and thermal storage technologies.
In the field of battery technologies, we are working with novel materials and developing innovative production processes for battery cells and pursue new approaches for battery system technology – from cells, through the module, up to the complete battery pack including battery management and thermal management. We optimize procedures to determine the state of charge and state of health as well as to predict the lifetime. In addition, we work on optimized charging and operating control strategies as well as battery system prototypes for widely varying application areas. Our activities also include the modelling and simulation of batteries. We work with electrical, electrochemical and thermal models at material, cell and system level. We carry out comprehensive testing and verification of batteries, including performance (efficiency and effectiveness) and aging investigations (calendric, cyclic), thermal investigations, abuse tests and post mortem analyses. Furthermore, we have the expertise to test various PV storage systems such as Pico PV systems, Solar Home systems, PV hybrid systems, grid-connected PV battery systems and storage system components (charge controllers, energy management systems, etc.).
In terms of thermal storage technologies, we are developing new highly efficient storage materials based on classic sensitive storage materials, latent heat storage materials and sorption materials. We examine these storage materials with regard to their behavior in the storage system and carry out performance tests under conditions of use. For this purpose, various test stands and test facilities are available, with which we carry out characterizations of storage systems in a temperature range of -30°C to 550°C. By means of measuring campaigns at existing thermal plants in buildings, industry and trade, we analyze in detail the energy flows to evaluate the optimal energetic and economic integration of thermal storage systems. For analysis, we also use system simulations with which we not only evaluate the storage technology best suited for a given system, but also optimize the operating control strategies of the systems for the integration of thermal storage.
