Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics

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Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics

The Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt -DLR) in Stuttgart, with further research facilities in Cologne, Ulm, Oldenburg and Hamburg, does research in the field of efficient energy storage systems that conserve natural resources, and next generation energy conversion technologies with a staff of 180 scientific and technical employees, engineers and doctoral candidates. The spectrum of activities ranges from theoretical studies to laboratory work for basic research and to the operation of pilot plants. These experimental and theoretical studies are accompanied by systems analysis studies to analyse the associated technological, environmental and economic potential and situate it in a larger overall context of the energy economy by means of scenarios.
A tight network with the University of Stuttgart -especially with the Institute of Energy Storage- and with the Helmholtz Institute Ulm at the University of Ulm is existing.

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	22 November 2023: "Best Innovation Award" for HEAVEN The EU project HEAVEN received the "Best Innovation Award" from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. As part of the project, the DLR Institute of Technical Thermodynamics designed the propulsion system, including a tank for liquid hydrogen and the fuel cell system.
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Institute's Departements & Groups

Thermal process technology

The research area Thermal Energy Storage deals with issues of energy storage, heat management and heat transfer, which are important in all areas of energy use and energy supply. The overarching goal is to increase the efficiency of energy process engineering, as a key element in fuel saving and climate protection. The department's work includes the development of advanced concepts, components, processes and system technologies in the field of thermal and chemical energy storage, thermal management, as well as fuel treatment for applications in industrial process technology, combined heat and power, and conventional and solar thermal power plant technology.

Electrochemical Energy Technology

The research area Electrochemical Energy Storage focuses on the development of efficient electrochemical energy converters, primarily batteries, fuel cells and electrolysers, whose importance in future energy systems, both in stationary energy supply and in electromobility, is continuously increasing. Activities range from cell design, manufacturing processes and diagnostics to system optimization and demonstration. Scientific or technical challenges of electrochemical storage technology and energy conversion lie in overcoming the trade-offs between efficiency, operating time, comfort, safety and cost.

Computational Electrochemistry

The research area of Energy Storage Simulation is concerned with improving the efficiency, longevity and costs of fuel cells and batteries. The prerequisite for this is a detailed understanding of the underlying physical, chemical and fluid mechanical processes. In the field of modeling and simulation, multi-scale and "multi-physics" models are developed and applied for this purpose. Special expertise is available in the areas of detailed electrochemical kinetics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Work is devoted to solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), polymer membrane fuel cells (PEFC), and lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries (LIB).

Energiesystemintegration

The Energy Storage Integration research area conducts application-oriented research and is particularly concerned with innovative energy storage and energy conversion systems. The area focuses on the development of fuel cell systems for applications in aviation. The focus is on systems for commercial aircraft, such as emergency power generators and on-board energy systems ("more electric aircraft"), as well as propulsion systems for small aircraft ("all electric aircraft").


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University Stuttgart - Institute for Energy Storage


HIU - Helmholtz Institute Ulm


Hamburg’s Center of Applied Aeronautical Research

Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics

22 November 2023: "Best Innovation Award" for HEAVEN

Thermal process technology

Electrochemical Energy Technology

Computational Electrochemistry

Energiesystemintegration

Jobs at the Institute