BFH-CSEM Energy Storage Research Center ESReC Institute for Energy and Mobility Research IEM
BFH-CSEM Energy Storage Research Center The BFH-CSEM Energy Storage Research Center ESReC is a joint research and development center embracing several research groups within the Department of Engineering and Information Technology of Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) and the CSEM PV-center. ESReC is one of the largest battery technology research platforms available to industrial R&D projects in Switzerland. The overall aim of ESReC is to develop knowledge and technologies essential for the transition towards a sustainable and efficient Swiss energy system. The common undertaking of building the ESReC helps partners in enlarging visibility and strengthening their capacities in their research and development activities. These activities have wide range from the system characterization to the development of system integration for various applications. Our team includes experienced scientists and qualified engineers to carry research and development projects successfully. Our big assets are bachelor and master students who participate in our research activities enthusiastically. For example ESReC supports electrochemical energy storage testing and analysis, power system conversion, system integration with photovoltaic or other systems, grid distribution network research and E-mobile applications such as (hybrid) electric vehicles. Manufacturing technologies for large-scale battery cells Integration of energy storage units in PV systems Electrochemical energy storage systems ENERGY STORAGE RESEARCH CENTER Battery and energy management systems Fuel cell systems Grids and decentralized energy storage R&D activities at ESReC 3
BFH: Electrochemical energy storage devices Dr. Andrea Vezzini Head of the Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems research group Head of the BFH-CSEM Energy Storage Research Center ESReC Deputy Head SCCER Efficiency in Mobility Rechargeable batteries have already underpin their key advantages in terms of lower environmental impact and reliable energy supply capabilities in the mobility sector e.g. in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. Further, batteries are most desirable sources to support the electrical grid power smoothing and to improve the power quality. Grid connected battery bank has capabilities to smooth intermittent feed-in power from renewable energy conversion technologies such as wind turbines and photovoltaics, regularization of voltage and frequency, peak shaving and demand discharge. Batteries sure have potential in enabling Switzerland to develop a reliable, stable and efficient electricity supply system. «We test and characterize high-capacity cells and packs.» The prime objective of the electrochemical energy storage research group at BFH is to increase the suitability of rechargeable batteries like lithium-ion in today s energy market for applications in mobile and stationary systems. We in the ESReC address the technical challenges such as performance, reliability and lifetime of the battery by testing, characterizing and modeling battery systems in order to determine optimized solutions for penetration of electrochemical energy storage technologies in today s market. developing battery systems and researching on Lithium-ion cells testing and characterizing battery and supercapacitor cells and packs developing battery system integration for mobile and stationary applications investigating electrical energy storage for combining it with renewable energies, e.g. PV Dr. Andrea Vezzini Professor of Industrial Electronics Institute for Energy and Mobility Research IEM Quellgasse 21, 2501 Biel Phone +41 32 321 63 72 andrea.vezzini@bfh.ch 4 Test rig for investigating the thermal characteristics of electrochemical energy storage systems
BFH: Battery and energy management systems Battery and energy management systems (BMS and EMS, respectively) are real-time controllers that have many vital features to the correct, compensate and make safe operation of battery systems. Important functions of a BMS include monitoring of electrical and environment parameters, maintenance scheduling, performance monitoring, optimization of operation, failure prediction and/or prevention, data logging and system analysis. BMS and EMS are two important modules that need an appropriate interfacing. BMS should be able to accurately estimate the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SoH) of the battery to optimize their operation. In parallel, the EMS should check, monitor and optimize generation and flow of electric power of the system. Applications of EMS and BMS range from mobile applications such as hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles as well as stationary applications such as uninterruptible power supplies and storage of PV-generated power in off- and on-grid power systems. These management systems are in high demand because it is almost indispensable to control the cell, pack and energy system in a robust, reliable and optimal way without a controller. With this idea, the electrochemical energy storage research group at BFH aims at the development of highly efficient and reliable BMS and EMS software which are able to estimate system health regardless of I-U-characteristics and energy system requirements. Both the softwares are capable to offer a secure and reliable battery based system solutions. Dr. Andrea Vezzini Professor of Industrial Electronics Dr.Sébastien Mariéthoz Professor of Mechatronics and Control Technology Institute for Energy and Mobility Research IEM Quellgasse 21, 2501 Biel Phone +41 32 321 63 72 andrea.vezzini@bfh.ch Phone +41 32 321 64 11 sebastien.mariethoz@bfh.ch «We develop and test software and hardware for energy efficient and reliable battery operation.» developing and testing mathematical models for efficient and reliable BMS and EMS developing soft- and hardware for BMS and EMS testing and validating algorithms for batteries for the estimation of remaining capacity and lifetime State-of-the-art battery management systems developed at ESReC 5
BFH: Fuel cell systems Michael Höckel Head of the Fuel Cell and the Grids research group Fuel cells offer high energy density, reliability and zero environmental impact during operation. They have high potential to play a substantial role in future energy and power supply systems. Fuel cell systems have their own challenges to become a main source for power and energy supplies. These challenges are (a) mass level production of hydrogen with a cost effective technique and (b) portable, lightweight hydrogen reservoir availability. Capacity of fuel cell technologies mostly depends on the capacity of Hydrogen reservoir, so it puts a huge demand for a portable, lightweight reservoir in order to integrate it easily and comfortably with mobile systems. Additionally, integration of fuel cells with hybrid systems requires a reliable management and an adjustable optimal hybridization degree with power demand and operating conditions. The main objective of the fuel cell research group at BFH is to promote fuel cell systems for their efficient use in mobile and stationary applications. Our research group has been very actively researching in finding solutions to address various technological challenges. We focus on the production of hydrogen by applying PV generated power in water electrolyzers and store it for the later usage. Additionally, we have expertise in the research and development of energy management and integration of fuel cells in complex energy systems for a high variety of applications. developing air- and water-cooled PEM fuel cells up to 10kW with H2/air or H2/ O2 developing hybrid systems PEM fuel cells / batteries / super capacitors analyzing performance of hybrid systems testing of PEM fuel cell system performance and endurance on dynamic test benches improving low temperature (-15 C 0 C) start-up of PEM fuel cells developing a self-made innovative FCstack system concept, already commercially available Michael Höckel Professor of Energy Systems Institute for Energy and Mobility Research IEM Quellgasse 21, 2501 Biel Phone +41 32 321 64 16 michael.hoeckel@bfh.ch «We develop fuel cell systems for stationary and mobile systems» 6 The hybrid system based on the IHPoS fuel cell and a lithium-ion battery.
BFH: Grids and decentralized energy storage systems Our power grid system faces challenges as a result of the increase of intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar power in the energy generation portfolio. Grid experiences generation-driven fluctuations. Also, an excess of such variable feed-in power can cause imbalances that generates unexpected voltages or currents in the low and medium voltage grid, and lead to congestion in distribution network. Decentralized energy storage can be a technical solution to limit the localized power generation which then help to mitigate power congestions and to generate a faster response against imbalances in the grid. In addition, decentralized energy storage offers a greater use of intermittent renewable generation technologies, thus making them more efficient and economically viable. In this respect, measurement and modelling of power quality in distribution grids become highly significant. Therefore, the main objective of our research is to support the integration of renewable energy conversion technologies with the electricity supply network. To accomplish this, the research activities at our group focus on the measurement and modelling of distributed power quality in distribution grids with decentralized power generation. developing the dynamic models of power stations studying static and dynamic modelling of transmission and distribution grids including regulation and power quality aspects developing dynamic models of hydro power stations and decentralized generation and storage systems measuring and analyzing the power quality of the distribution grids Michael Höckel Professor of Energy Systems Institute for Energy and Mobility Research IEM Quellgasse 21, 2501 Biel Phone +41 32 321 64 16 michael.hoeckel@bfh.ch «We measure voltage quality model distribution grids and analyze the impact of decentralized energy production and storage on the grid s quality and reliability.» Photo composition of the planned Grimselsee bridge. Photo: KWO 7
CSEM: Management and storage of PV generated electricity With the broad objective of developing next generation PV system, CSEM PV-center in Neuchâtel researches on next generation solar cells, modules and photovoltaic systems. It also aligns with the future goal of Swiss energy system that has ambitious of making solar electricity as prime source of electricity generation. Prof. Dr. Christophe Ballif Vice President Photovoltaics CSEM SA Rue Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel Phone +41 32 720 54 11 christophe.ballif@bfh.ch Prof. Dr. Christophe Ballif Vice President Photovoltaics At ESReC, CSEM leads projects to estimate the potential and impact of PV-tied electricity storage. Also there are continuous efforts in developing hardware and software solutions to improve system performance. At the same time, CSEM supports Swiss utilities to ensure stability of the power networks at a low cost in the context of radical changes in the production capacities. developing PV cells and modules developing reliability of the products developing integration architecture managing and storing of PV generated electricity «It is essential that the technologies which we develop are incorporated quickly into products, processes and services.» 8 Photovoltaic panels in brick-red colour the Archinsolar project with the PV lab of EPFL in Neuchatel. The CSEM has already implemented an initial series of 150 modules. Photo: CSEM 2014
BFH: Integration of energy storage in photovoltaic systems The future of the world s energy production and supply capability depends strongly on the availability and efficient conversion inexhaustible energy sources like solar energy. In order to guarantee a continuous and cost-efficient consumption of intermittent PV generated electricity, it is indispensable to research and develop novel solar inverters for the integration of PV and energy storage. The target of the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050 is to generate significant energy from renewable sources by 2050. The yearwise breakdown looks ambitious: by 2020, 2035 and 2050, at least 2.1 TWh, 7.0 TWh and 11 TWh of the total energy production should originate from PV technology. This corresponds to 47 % (2020), 48.2 % (2035) and 45 % (2050) of the energy production from renewable energies alone. This huge energy generated by photovoltaics could be efficiently used only when it is integrated with secondary storage. Hence, PV inverters and integration has a huge demand and market. The photovoltaics research group of ESReC is researching and developing solar inverters, in order to guarantee the efficient usage of the generated electricity from the PV cells and its storage in electrochemical storage devices. long term measurements and characterization of the behavior and the quality of PV-systems designing help for PV oriented buildings PVOB coupling of electric loads to the PV production (PV2X) e.g. PV to e-car testing of PV inverter with and without storage systems investigating the safety issues of stationary batteries and formulating of test standards for battery connected PV inverters building up test stand for standard measurements of battery connected PV inverters trainings for professionals and engineers in the field of PV Urs Muntwyler Professor of Photovoltaics Institute for Energy and Mobility Research IEM Jlcoweg 1, 3400 Burgdorf Phone +41 34 426 68 37 urs.muntwyler@bfh.ch Urs Muntwyler Head of the Photovoltaics research group «We test solar inverters with batteries and develop the necessary measurement infrastructure for this purpose.» PV generated electricity is vital for future energy supply systems and supporting E-Mobility 9
BFH: Manufacturing technologies for large-scale battery cells Dr. Axel Fuerst Head of the Manufacturing Technologies research group Battery cell manufacturing processes include manufacturing electrodes, cells and packs for large-format batteries. Manufacturing process should be fast and cost-effective to make business viable and successful. In our team, dedicated researchers work for developing and improving battery manufacturing process in order to get a cost effective solution for the high volume production of large-format battery cells. developing manufacturing processes and machines for large-format cells developing innovative cutting and welding techniques developing process-safe shaping techniques based on laser cutting systems developing industrial methods for the processing of micro-structured electrodes developing integration of overall manufacturing process Dr. Axel Fuerst Professor of Mechanical Dynamics Institute for Intelligent Industrial Systems I3S Pestalozzistrasse 20, 3400 Burgdorf Phone +41 34 426 43 64 axel.fuerst@bfh.ch «We develop production methods and machines for manufacturing large-scale prismatic lithium-ion cells.» 10 Efficient mass production methods are critical for the breakthrough of each technology
ESReC and SCCER ESReC has an impressive research collaboration with industry, research centers and academia. Within the research networks Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research (SCCER Mobility, SCCER Grids and SCCER Storage) ESReC s mission is to help catalyze the realization of the goals of the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050. ESReC is actively partnering within academic partners and with the Swiss industrial energy and power sectors to achieve a timely goal. An overview of our association with SCCER is outlined below: Efficient concepts, processes and components in mobility: SCCER Efficiency in Mobility The SCCER Mobility aims at developing the knowledge and technologies essential for the transition of the current fossil fuel based transportation system to a sustainable one, featuring minimal CO2-output and Primary Energy Demand as well as virtually zero-pollutant emissions. Within capacity area «Systems and Components for E-Mobility», ESReC provides its know-how in the characterization, technology assessment and development of state-of-the art electrochemical energy storage systems for (hybrid) electric vehicles. Networks and their components, energy systems: SCCER FURIES Future Swiss Electrical Infrastructure The SCCER Grids aims to study new solutions that cover scientific, technical and environmental aspects to enable a vast connection of non-dispatchable renewable energy resources in electrical distribution networks and to the control of the power demand. ESReC manages the projects of power quality measurements and analysis of power available on distribution grids through decentralized power generation and storage Storage: SCCER Heat & Electricity Storage The SCCER Storage deals with the storage of heat and electricity. We have a strong presence in the battery research area by contributing in several research project such as Lithium-ion batteries, Sodium based batteries and lithium-air batteries. ESReC activities within this SCCER involve the research and development of new, suitable and cost-efficient manufacturing technologies of large-power battery cells. 11
Institute of Energy and Mobility Research IEM BFH CSEM Energy Storage Research Center ESReC Aarbergstrasse 5 2560 Nidau Switzerland iem.bfh.ch/esrec