DLR Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics

Brief description of the Project Coordinator

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is Germany’s research center for aeronautics and space. It is the largest engineering research organization in Germany undertaking applied research and development in Aeronautics, Space, Energy, Transport and Security. Approximately 7700 people are employed at 16 locations in Germany. Research at the Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics in Stuttgart concentrates on efficient and resource-saving energy storage and conversion technologies. It ranges all the way from theoretical studies and basic laboratory research to the operation of pilot installations, complemented by analytical system studies.

The use of fuel cells is considered in many areas, ranging from stationary energy supply to mobile applications. The institute develops and investigates solid oxide fuel and electrolyzer cells (SOFC/SOEC) and systems for many years. High Temperature Systems and Processes group, within the Department of Electrochemical Energy Technology, consists of two teams. The first team focuses on development and testing of systems based on solid oxide cells (SOCs) operating in fuel cell or electrolysis or regenerative modes. The other team is working on processing of fuel cells and stacks components. The former team is at the forefront of development of pressurized SOCs, SOFC/Gas turbine hybrid power plants, large sized stack integration and testing, while the latter has been developing its unique metal supported cell and stack and has demonstrated the most matured technology existing.

Role in the Project

In NAUTILUS, DLR, as a project coordinator leads WP1. Due to expertise in system design engineering and proof of concept testing leads also WP3, under which evaluates the dynamic behaviour of the SOFC-battery genset, and performs experimental tests on the battery technology with alternative fuels. In order to estimate the emission reduction potential of the novel battery technology, outputs from the experimental tests will be included WP7, dynamic genset modelling.