Vehicle energy concepts

Vehicle energy concepts

How will you get from A to B quickly in future - and save energy in the process?

Between fuel cell technologies, intelligent charging and thermal management strategies: We develop innovative vehicle energy concepts with the clear goal of optimising the energy demand on road and rail. There is a strong, unbroken national and international interest in research and development in this field. We conduct research on energy effect chains - from generation to storage and transmission to use. We optimise the interaction of components in energy chains by collecting and analysing data. In doing so, we work holistically: from the concept, through simulation, to the development of selected technologies and research vehicles. To top it all off, we use an extensive test bench infrastructure with battery, fuel cell and electric motor test benches and an air-conditioned roller test bench certified for hydrogen applications. This enables us to validate complete vehicles and thus makes it possible to research the entire energy effect chain in a vehicle.

Simulation and test environment for the entire process

Developing, testing and applying new methods easily: We achieve this by using our simulation and testing environment throughout, from the complete vehicle to the component level. The main focus is on how future vehicles will function with hydrogen as an energy carrier - and how fuel cells can directly provide electrical energy for the vehicle. Furthermore we are also increasingly working on thermal management in vehicles and on operating strategies for hybridised commercial vehicles.

Current projects and fields of work

  • Design and requirements management of fuel cell trains
  • Electric vehicle with FC range extender
  • FC cargo bikes with hydrogen-powered metal hybrid preheater
  • FC vehicles as mobile power plants
  • Hydrogen-powered air conditioning for commercial vehicle transport refrigeration
  • Hydrogen mobility/hydrogen and fuel cell technologies
  • Sector coupling/energy flow optimisation and intelligent charging
  • Components and complete vehicle tests
  • Air conditioning and thermal management strategies

What we are currently putting to the test

Electric and fuel cell vehicles up to a total weight of 4t.

Always interested in new partners

In our projects, we work closely with partners from the industry, especially with automobile and rail vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers. We place particular emphasis on cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises from the regional environment.

Interested? Get in touch now

You are interested in current concepts relating to energy in vehicles? You are even in the process of making vehicles more efficient in a SME - and looking for project partners? Then contact us.

Contact

Dr.-Ing. Michael Schier

Head of Research Area
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Vehicle Concepts
Vehicles Energy Concepts
Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart