Ceramic cutting edge technologies in green energy

Advanced ceramics allow for pushing the limits of what is technically feasible upward in almost all areas of conventional and renewable energy. As a world-leading R&D partner, the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS provides cost-efficient solutions with regard to local increasingly complex challenges.

A reliable and clean energy supply is crucial for a flourishing economy in emerging countries such as in the BRICs, where the demand is soaring due to rapid industrialization and the growing prosperity of the population.

One-stop-shop research services for SMEs

Its outstanding properties such as the high mechanical strength, chemical durability and thermal resistance make ceramic an ideal material for a wide range of industrial appli-cations. Research and development at Fraunhofer IKTS covers the entire value chain – from ceramic high-performance materials and production technologies up to intelligent system solutions. Developments can be scaled up from laboratory to pilot scale. This way technology transfer to industry partners can be significantly accelerated.

Green technology innovations

Membrane-based biomass separation processes

With its broad portfolio, Fraunhofer IKTS offers customized key components and high-performance systems for the smart energy generation, storage and consumption.
For more than 20 years the institute deals with bio- and thermochemical methods that are used to convert biomass into solid, liquid or gaseous energy sources. The efficiency core for separation processes are ceramic membranes that are tested and piloted in an appropriate Bioenergy Application Center to close the gap between laboratory and industry. Further developments on filtration membranes are pioneering for water treatment in municipal as well as in the industrial sector.

High-temperature fuel cells (SOFC)

Fraunhofer IKTS also serves as an experienced partner for cost-effective SOFC devices and strives to provide efficient, eco-friendly systems with integrated multilayer stack technology patented by Fraunhofer. Products vary from hand held size up to stationary solutions in the MW range using different fuels like biogas that is cleaned and concen-trated by ceramic membranes, LPG or hydrogen. This competence enables to realize the development of specific systems based both on market and customer requirements and on available technological options. An exceptional system design for off-grid
power supply comes with the 100 W portable energy generator eneramic®. The robust fuel cell system provides reliably stable energy for industrial applications e.g. for traffic management and information systems, corrosion protection, monitoring systems, meas-uring stations as well as leisure applications. eneramic® is currently tested in the field and is going to be extended for higher power classes.

Energy storage systems

Not all generated energy is immediately spent. Ceramic components such as the electrolyte play a leading role in developing efficient energy systems for the stationary storage, too. Therefore, Fraunhofer IKTS considers different aspects of Li-ion batteries, sodium-based high-temperature and metal-air batteries or supercapacitors and heat storage materials; and is able to develop mass-market suitable technologies from a de-sign-to-cost point of view.

You are cordially invited to get to know the IKTS R&D services and the portfolio on Booth 205 at Greenergy and Biogas Brasil from July 16 to 18, 2014 in São Paulo. Fraunhofer researchers will be pleased to meeting you.

http://www.greenergyexpo.com/en_geb/index_geb.asp