Fraunhofer Energy Alliance
Fraunhofer Energy Alliance

Energy Storage

CHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE

Test facility to measure a PEM electrolyser stack with currents of up to 4000 A to produce hydrogen.

© Fraunhofer ISE | Josha Feuerstein

Chemical Energy Storage

In the context of increasing sector coupling, the conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy plays a crucial role. Fraunhofer researchers are working, for instance, on corresponding power-to-gas processes that enable the chemical storage of energy in the form of hydrogen or methane.

Competencies of the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance in the field of Chemical Energy Storage

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Power-to-X

In order to be able to reliably provide energy based on renewable generators despite the fluctuating energy supply, power-to-X technologies are gaining in importance. Whether in the context of power-to-gas, power-to-heat or power-to-liquid - the storage of energy in times of oversupply is indispensable, especially in the context of the desired sector coupling. In the field of power-to-gas technologies, the long-term storage of renewable energies in the form of hydrogen (through water electrolysis) or methane holds a key position. Hydrogen has a high energy density and offers possibilities for emission-free energy supply. Fraunhofer’s researchers have realized a solar-powered hydrogen filling station as a reference project for emission-free mobility. In further projects, concepts for the methanation of hydrogen and biogas to carbon dioxide, including co-electrolysis, are being investigated and validated.

Projects

 

© H2UGS

H2-UGS

The basic research-oriented collaborative project H2-UGS is developing a standardized and transferable methodology for the future construction and retrofitting of salt caverns for hydrogen storage...

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© www.arenha.eu

EU project ARENHA: Green ammonia for the energy transition

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© Energieinstitut Linz

HydroMetha

With the flagship project HYDROMETHA a novel, fully integrated system of CO2+H2O high-temperature co-electrolysis (Co-SOEC) and catalytic methanation will be developed.

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Electrolysis

The generation of hydrogen via water electrolysis is an essential part of the hydrogen infrastructure. Regeneratively generated electricity can thus be stored as hydrogen and used flexibly. Our expertise includes the application of a wide range of electrolysis methods. The portfolio of the Fraunhofer’s institutes covers the entire spectrum from material development to system integration. The application in practice is tested in the operation of different electrolysis units from laboratory scale to MW pilot scale. In particular, the focus is on cost reduction, for example through new catalysts or membranes. Furthermore, approaches to increase the operational safety, e.g. by inserting additional catalytic layers for the recombination of hydrogen and oxygen in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), are investigated to avoid dangerous concentrations of hydrogen in oxygen. Further information on electrolysis as a central component in the hydrogen value chain can be found in our field of “Hydrogen Technologies”.

Projects

 

© Project Management Jülich, on behalf of the BMBF

PEP.IN

Advances and cost reductions in PEM electrolysers span all stages of the value chain involved in the manufacture of an electrolyzer cell stack.

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© Fraunhofer ISE / Photo: Joscha Feuerstein

StacIE

The further development of PEM electrolysis technology, both at the component level and at the subsystem level.

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© Fraunhofer ISE / Photo: Sebastian Kopp

PEM-Electrolysis

Proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolysis offers the possibility of efficiently producing hydrogen using renewable energy.

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Storage Systems

Projects

This site is currently under construction.

 

© Fraunhofer ISE

EARTH2

The EARTH2 project is conducting research on a technology that makes hydrogen easier to store and trade.

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