Fraunhofer Energy Alliance
Fraunhofer Energy Alliance

Energy Storage

FUEL CELLS

Hydrogen fuel cell system with an output power of 1.5 kW.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Fuel Cells (PEM, SOFC, DMFC, DEFC)

Fuel cells convert chemical energy in the form of hydrogen, methanol or natural gas, for example, into electrical energy. Due to their high efficiency, fuel cells play a key role as a conversion technology in the future energy system. The institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft identify optimization potentials for design, material selection and operating strategy and work on the continuous further development of fuel cell components, stacks and systems, for example by rapid ageing tests for PEM/ SOFC fuel cells. Specially developed test rigs are available for detailed tests and forecasts. The use of energy carriers such as natural gas and methanol, but also ethanol and synthetic hydrocarbons, in most cases requires reformation technology for the conversion of these fuels into hydrogen-containing gas. Experts at Fraunhofer Energy Research are working on catalyst and reactor technology and system designs for reforming technology. Further information on fuel cells in connection with hydrogen can be found in our field of "Hydrogen Technologies".

Competencies of the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance in the field of Fuel Cells

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Material and Component Development

The institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft identify optimization potentials for design, material selection and operating strategy and work on the continuous further development of fuel cell components, stacks and systems, for example by rapid aging tests for PEM/ SOFC fuel cells. Specially developed test rigs are available for detailed tests and forecasts. The use of energy carriers such as natural gas and methanol, but also ethanol and synthetic hydrocarbons, in most cases requires reformation technology for the conversion of these fuels into hydrogen-containing gas. Experts at Fraunhofer Energy Research are working on catalyst and reactor technology and system designs for reforming technology.

Projects

 

© Fraunhofer IKTS

CFY-Stacks

The development of CFY-stacks is a long-standing focus of R&D activities at Fraunhofer IKTS. With stack design MK351, a good platform for enabling proliferation of SOFCs in a wide range of applications was created. 

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© Fraunhofer IKTS

Joining Technology

The Fraunhofer IKTS develops brazing and soldering materials as well as brazing technologies for high temperature applications such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), sensor components, ceramic reactors and thermoelectric. 

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© Fraunhofer IMM

FCGEN

It is the main objective of the FCGEN project to develop a complete, fuel cell-based, 3kW auxiliary power unit and to demonstrate the proof of concept in a real environment on board of a truck.

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© Diehl Aerospace

GETPower

The goal of the GETPower project series is the further development of the already existing reformer system, to achieve an optimized integration of the entire system into a standard trolley and, thus, to get as close as possible to a scenario which can realistically be applied in aviation.

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Production Engineering

Against the backdrop of the energy transition, hydrogen technologies are beginning to ramp up. Average expansion rates of about four to eight gigawatts per year are expected by 2050. Particularly with regard to future hydrogen mobility, the fuel cell industry is about to be scaled up to mass production. In addition to the automated production of individual components, researchers of Fraunhofer are focusing on the production process as a whole and are working, among other things, on setting up a platform for production research from component to stack production, which will offer the fuel cell industry and machine and plant manufacturers opportunities for contract and collaborative research with regard to series production, including quality assurance. By aligning with related industrial processes, we try to create synergies and transfer technologies from more digitalized industries. Together with industrial partners, we work out quality features along the process chain from the membrane to the fuel cell stack and jointly develop training plans and workshops to transfer our know-how to industry.

Projects

 

© Fraunhofer ISE I Photo: Thomas Klink

»HyFab«

The "HyFab-BW" project is intended to create an open, flexible platform for companies in the plant engineering, automotive and supplier industries in which technologies for component production and component qualification can be researched and tested with regard to the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly.

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© Fraunhofer UMSICHT

KONTIFLEX

In the “KONTIFLEX“ project, the weldable, flexible polymer bipolar plates already developed by Fraunhofer UMSICHT for flow batteries are being further developed for use in LT-PEM (low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells).

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System Development

Fraunhofer’s researchers support industry in Germany in fields where fuel cells are to be introduced on a large scale, e.g. in the automotive sector, by providing testing facilities for system components and by participating in projects and committees for the quality assurance and standardization of such components. We also offer solutions based on alternative technologies or the development of customized systems based on commercial components for our customers in smaller industries where fuel cells are used, for example, with special fuels or under special environmental conditions. For further information on system development and system integration of fuel cells in connection with hydrogen, please refer to our field of “Hydrogen Technologies”.

Projects

 

© Fraunhofer ICT

System Development for Special Applications

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© Fraunhofer ISE

Prometheus

Fraunhofer ISE has been involved in PEM water electrolysis for more than 30 years and supports the industrial consortium in this project in various areas of component qualification and stack development.

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