At the Institute for Energy and Process Systems Engineering, energy converters such as batteries, fuel cells and electrolysers are investigated and optimized. By combining model-based analysis and experimental validation, the interaction of the processes in the systems as well as limiting processes and the system state are identified. This includes, for example, the modeling and analysis of heterogeneous electrode structures and their influence on performance or the simulation of the complex dynamic behavior of energy converters. For the parameterization and validation of the models, tailor-made experiments are carried out at the institute. Approx. 250 m² laboratory space is available for this. The laboratories are equipped with climate chambers and measuring devices for the dynamic characterization and cycling of fuel cells and batteries.

As a long-standing member of the Battery LabFactory Braunschweig, the institute has proven expertise in the modeling and simulation of Li-ion batteries and their manufacturing processes. This includes, for example, physicochemical modeling on various scales or the simulation of complex dynamic processes. The models are systematically used to analyze and improve production processes such as formation, calendering or blending. In addition, the influences of uncertainties within the production process on the final product properties were systematically investigated and supplemented by advanced sensitivity studies.

Project participations

FastChargeLongLife

In both research and teaching, elenia deals with the technological and economic challenges of electrical power supply in the 21st century.

In the three focus groups of smart grid, electric mobility and components for power supply, many different current research questions are being addressed. The integration of renewable resources into the future energy supply system, the charging behavior of electric vehicles and the analysis of switchgear are examples of the broad spectrum of research at elenia.

The competencies of the electromobility research focus are in the areas of charging infrastructure and charging management with the aim of system and grid integration of electric vehicles, as well as in battery technology from the cell to the system level. The research activities deal with the entire life cycle of a battery from production to mobility application to second-life applications.

Since 2010, elenia has been working on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods in the field of battery modeling based on equivalent circuit models and state diagnosis. Since 2013, elenia has been researching cell forming strategies in the context of battery production. In the DaLion project, an innovative and reproducible pilot line (Battery LabFactory Braunschweig, BLB) for the production of lithium-ion batteries was developed and set up. The combination of data analytics (machine, process and product data monitoring), statistical surveys through predictive simulations and evaluation methods enable the determination of relevant key figures along the process chain. As part of the OptiZellForm project, time-optimized fast-charge profiles were developed during forming, which both significantly reduce process time and result in improved cycle stability. In addition, the first model-based approaches for deriving optimized fast charging strategies were developed and successfully applied.