Increasing the energy density of thermal storages

Scientists optimise materials and components for soprtion-based thermal energy storages of high energy density. Sorption reservoirs for buildings currently achieve an energy density of about 130 kWh / m³. In the project MAKSORE the researchers want to achieve an effective usable volumetric energy density of at least 180 kWh / m³. ... more

Increasing efficiency of power plants and electric arc steelworks

How can energy efficiency in industry and thermal power

plants be increased by using thermal energy storages? Researchers are studying

the integration of thermal storage in different industrial and CHP processes.

The focus is on high temperature storages with a storage temperature above 200

°C. A highlight of the project TESIN is the development, design, build,

commissioning and operation of a latent heat storage unit in the operating CHP

plant in Wellesweiler, Saarland of STEAG New Energies. ... more

Quantum mechanics replaces laboratory experiment

To get a better understanding of Li-Ion batteries, junior researchers are using quantum mechanical methods. The multiscale modelling of batteries, which is based on quantum mechanical principles, is an option to develop electrodes and electrolytes using computer-based simulations. The virtual development of batteries is not only accurate and fast, but also offers other benefits, since the costs are lower than those of laboratory experiments. In this way one single experiment can be sufficient to confirm the computer-based results. ... more

Bundling storage in the cloud

Scientists did research how battery storage systems can be optimally operated and the supply network supported as part of the green2store project. The aim is to bundle decentralised storage systems in a virtual cloud and make them accessible to various players. ... more

Determining the potential of the substructure

In the ANGUS+ project, scientists examine the potential for energy storage in the geological subsurface. In addition to the storage options for natural and synthetic methane, hydrogen and compressed air in caverns and porous formations, the storage of heat in the shallow subsurface is investigated. ... more

Saisonal storage in aquifers

Aquifers have a large storage capacity and offer considerable potential as seasonal thermal or cooling storage systems. In a research project, researchers developed an improved storage concept for supplying heating and cooling energy to buildings and entire urban districts. For this purpose, they are combined the expertise from various specialist areas such as energy technology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, architecture and urban development. ... more

Super batterie combines high performance and capacity

In the project NovaCap scientists determine in a study new materials for the realization of a new concept for hybrid and asymmetric supercapacitors. The concept provides for battery electrode material with capacitor material in one cell unite. This will create a super battery that combine both: high performance and high capacity. ... more

City as Storage

A central

management system in a City can make electricity producers and consumers work

together. The result is a virtual energy storage for the energy system.

Scientists developed a management system that bundles cogeneration systems, heat

pumps , night storage heaters, photovoltaic batteries and other equipment. .

Grid stabilization using battery power plants

How can a battery storage system be further developed to form a plant for balancing power production? This is the question that the researchers are investigating in the SDL-Batt project. Here they are testing various system services and evaluating them in economic terms, whereby the research is focusing on the operating data, energy balancing and the simulation of different methods. ... more

Coupling renewables with electricity and gas grids

In the KonStGas project scientists examined the potentials to integrate renewable energy sources, resulting from the coupling of energy networks. For this purpose, they model the energy flows of the total energy supply structure and evaluate the results from an economic perspective. They derive recommendations for the adjustment of energy infrastructure and future energy market. ... more