DLR - Institute of Technical Thermodynamics

Departments of the Institute

Systems Analysis and Technology Assessment

Because of the inherent inertia of the energy system, any decisions taken in the energy sector have particularly long term impacts. Opportunities offered by new technologies and potential negative consequences on the environment and on society can be identified in time by provident and pro-active decision making. A pre-requisite for such a course of action is a thorough understanding of complex systems, which allows decision makers to find a balance between the technical and economic possibilities of to-day, and the long term development perspectives.

Thermal Process Technology

Implementation of innovative concepts for thermal and chemical energy storage for effective injection of solar and process heat into power plant cycles. Development of high-performance and high-temperature heat exchanger for novel energy transfer processes and efficient use of energy in power, systems and process engineering.

Electrochemical Energy Technology

Schwerpunkt ist die Entwicklung der Brennstoffzellentechnik einschließlich regenerativer Brennstoffversorgung und Markteinführung kompletter Nutzungssysteme. Basierend auf Grundlagenuntersuchungen zu Elektroden-Elektrolyt-Einheiten werden neuartige Herstellverfahren, Diagnosetechniken und Systemkonzepte entwickelt. Typische Aufgaben sind: Schutz- und Funktionsschichten mit DC- und HF-Vakuumplasmaspritzen für die SOFC, Stacks für den mobilen Einsatz; Entwicklung, Diagnose, Test von Wasserstoff- und Methanol- Brennstoffzellen und Stacks; Entwicklung mobiler und portabler Systeme.

Computational Electrochemistry

The further improvement of performance, durability and cost of fuel cells and batteries requires a detailed understanding of the fundamental physical, chemical, and fluid mechanical processes occurring within the cell. In the Modeling and Simulation Group, multi-scale and multi-physics models as well as modern numerical simulation methods are developed and applied. Our particular expertise is in the areas of detailed electrochemical kinetics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The activities are dedicated to solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC), as well as lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries (LIB).


Since January 1, 2011 an Independent Organisation Unit: Solar Research