A sustainable energy supply relies on best possible performance in terms of efficiency, economy, and reliability. In the joint “SEEDs” project, the Fraunhofer Institutes for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB, for Integrated Circuits IIS and for Silicate Research ISC are setting up a one of a kind platform for research and demonstration activities in local energy management with the goal to combine existing approaches and technologies for all forms of energy – electricity, heat, cold and hydrogen – into one optimized overall system. Main focus is on renewable energy. The R&D areas covered by the project also include DC networks and energy storage, power grid simulation, cooling systems, and gas-to-power coupling.

Backed by 20 years of R&D experience in the fields of materials and components for energy storage systems, the Fraunhofer ISC develops a new »smart« battery prototype able to measure in operation a number of key factors that influence life and performance of batteries. Respective sensors are directly integrated in the lithium-ion cell and continuously record the charging and aging behavior.