Electrochemical Energy Storage

Against the background of an increasing interconnection of different fields, the conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy plays an important role. One of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s research priorities in the business unit ENERGY STORAGE is therefore in the field of electrochemical energy storage, for example for stationary applications or electromobility.

By 2030, battery production will expand fifteenfold from today's 38 gigawatt hours per year to 576 gigawatt hours in Europe alone, according to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI. Against the backdrop of such immense growth forecasts, the aspect of sustainability and circular economy becomes just as important as technological innovation and functionality.

Our offering extends along the entire value chain from the development of battery technologies (Li-Ion: solid state, LiS, LiO2, Na-ion, redox flow), materials and components, cell design, process and manufacturing  engineering, and system development and integration.

Competencies of the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance in the Field of Electrochemical Energy Storage

Battery Technologies

Battery Technologies (Li-ion: Solid state, LiS, LiO2, Na-ions, Redox Flow (RFB))

Against the backdrop of the energy transition, high-performance batteries have advanced to become key components of mobile and stationary electrically powered applications. In the technical implementation of novel stationary battery concepts, cost reduction, efficiency, durability and cycle stability as well as operational safety are the most important features. For electromobile applications, battery concepts are evaluated on the basis of their compactness and energy density as well as their cost and operational reliability. For both use cases, experts of Fraunhofer Energy Research advise customers and develop custom-fit solutions. Just as important as technical functionality is the sustainability of technologies and processes, for example in the development of sodium batteries or redox flow batteries from locally available, non-strategic base materials or through efficient manufacturing processes for lithium batteries or redox flow batteries. At the end of the product life cycle, we also focus on economic and ecological optimization in the form of recycling best practices.

Projects

 

“DigiBattPro 4.0 - BW” - Digitized Battery Production 4.0

The aim of the DigiBattPro 4.0 - BW project is to completely digitize a battery cell production facility.

 

FEST BATT - 21+1 Projects

The sub-project focuses on the production and processing of the phosphate solid electrolyte LATP (Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3). 

 

ELuStat

A new type of iron-air battery is being developed as part of the project. It will have an energy density of 250 Wh/kg, an efficiency of at least 60 percent and be capable of 500 full charge/discharge cycles. 

 

VAFLOW®

Efficient energy storage systems require economically strategic raw materials. The aim of the »VAFLOW« joint project is to pyro- and hydrometallurgically process industrial vanadium-containing residues and by-products to make a quality-assured vanadium electrolyte.

 

KOBIBATT

The main objective of the »KOBIBATT« isroject is to develop a battery system with higher energy density and greater safety at lower costs. In battery research, these goals have so far been seen as contradictory and incompatible.