Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB
CAMPUS FES Fraunhofer IISB Multilevel Inverters Foto bei Kurt Fuchs / © copyright by Kurt Fuchs, Tel. 09131-777740 Am Wei chselgar ten 23, 91058 Erl angen www.fuchs-foto.de

Intelligent Energy Systems

Enabling the all Electric Society

The department “Intelligent Energy Systems” develops the technologies for the digitalization of the power electronic and energy conversion in the transportation and energy domains. The department integrates these technologies in interconnected intelligent energy systems, building the “Cognitive Power Electronics” ecosystem initiated at the Fraunhofer IISB. Its research and development efforts are focusing on cutting-edge power and control electronic hardware, as well as on advanced software algorithms and data processing technologies making intensive use of artificial intelligence, targeting electrical power conversion and electrical energy storage in mobile and stationary applications, covering the entire power range from a few watts up to several gigawatts.

 

Organization of the department

The department is organized in five working groups with a total of about 35 researchers. A highly skilled staff in mechanics, mechatronics, electronics, embedded software, informatics, and computational mathematics with long-term experience in industrial R&D projects and technology transfer allows us to successfully support and accompany our customers in addressing today’s digitalization and tomorrow’s digitalization challenges in the energy and power businesses. The close cooperation with the Chair of Power Electronics (LEE) at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany provides us with access to the latest fundamental research results and an attractive pool of highly skilled and motivated students.

Activities of the Research Groups

 

Data Analytics

The group “Data Analytics” helps our partners and customers to get the most out of their data in the context of IoT and Industry 4.0. The group takes an application-oriented approach that includes system analysis, conception, data collection, filtering, clustering, and finally the development and implementation of intelligent algorithms in industrial processes or in embedded systems.

Data Analytics
 

Energy Technologies

The group “Energy Technologies” investigates and optimizes intelligent and decentralized energy systems like fuel cells and redox-flow batteries for the energy and transportation domains. The focus is on the integration of different physical storage systems (i.e., electrical, thermal, hydrogen), and on the intelligent interconnection as well as control – also based on forecasts – of different energy areas (sector coupling, peak load reduction).

Energy Technologies
 

Industrial Power Electronics

The group “Industrial Power Electronics” supports our customers in solving power electronic challenges in the field of multi-level converters of all voltage ranges. Whether development support or problem analysis for running facilities and equipment, the list of strengths in the field of troubleshooting of this group is large: longstanding industrial application experience, fast response time, and familiarity with industrial processes.

Industrial Power Electronics
 

Battery Systems

The group “Battery Systems” is working on innovative solutions for lithium-ion-based electrical energy storage systems for stationary and mobile applications. The activities range from the development of battery management systems (e.g., BMS platform foxBMS®), algorithms for battery state estimations and predictions, up to the design of full-custom battery systems for large applications like racing cars, submarine exploration robots, airships, and electric gliders.

Battery Systems
 

DC Grids

The group “DC Grids” focuses on innovative solutions for local DC grid systems. Their work ranges from applied research, e.g., on safety and stability issues of DC networks, through concept studies, up to the development of innovative grid components, such as customized DC/DC converters, DC plugs, and protection devices. Bernd Wunder also represents the DC topic on boards such as VDE/DKE, IEC, eMerge Alliance, and IEEE Smart Grid.

DC Grids

Energy Electronics – Solutions for tomorrow's challenges

A continuously growing share of electrical energy is processed by power electronics along the whole energy supply chain from generation over transportation and distribution up to the consumers. The ongoing transformation of the public energy supply to a self-sufficient system based on renewable energy sources will speed up this process significantly. Advanced power electronic systems are the key to increased energy efficiency along the whole supply chain, and to ensure highest availability and stability of the grid.

Since 2005 Fraunhofer IISB successfully concluded numerous research projects with the focus on power electronics for advanced electrical energy networks. This includes basic research work as well as industrial development projects with the objective of developing and qualifying components ready for series production. Main goal is to increase the efficiency, availability, and lifetime of the systems at reduced overall system costs.

Publications

Brochures