The department of Energy System Integration conducts application-oriented research and is particularly concerned with innovative energy storage and energy conversion systems as well as the development and analysis of engineering processes.
The topics of the department form a bridge function between the main focuses of electrochemical and thermochemical energy storage (traditionally located at the institute) and an interdisciplinary and application-oriented focus.
The main objective is on the development of technologies to reduce the emissions of the airborne and waterborne transport. For that, the research efforts cover low/no emission fuel cell powertrains and power systems as well as the development and integration of electrolysers for supply of sustainable fuels.
The declared aim of the work in the Department of Energy System Integration is the transfer of scientific findings from basic electrochemical research towards application, considering established, industry-oriented and quality-assured development processes.
For the powertrains we develop efficient battery systems and effective, multifunctional fuel cell systems. Both the selection of suitable components and targeted system designs based on detailed modelling and simulation calculations are part of their work. The tailor-made system design depends on the specific application and requirements, for example for on-board power generation (Auxiliary Power Unit - APU) for A320 aircraft, propulsion systems in aircrafts or marine vessels. The strive is towards critical system component development, improved integration, optimized operating strategies and up-scaling approaches.
In addition, the researchers are working on concepts for the integration of renewable energy into large-scale industrial processes for hydrogen and other alternative fuels for aviation. Not only the concepts, but also technology aspects of electrolysers, and integrated processes are developed, the options for renewable industrial processes are also mapped and optimized in terms of efficiency, CO2 savings and costs. Moreover, the methodology of process engineering is transferred for cost estimation.
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