Research at a glance
The Institute for Energy Conversion has its research focus on the experimental characterisation and modelling of hybrid fuel cell propulsion systems in mobile applications on land, at sea and in aviation.
In the field of integrated propulsion systems and power management, hybridisation concepts are developed and investigated. The focus here is on electrical, thermal and mechanical integration, as well as power management and control of the entire system to ensure high efficiency and safety.
Components such as fuel cell systems, batteries and electric motors are characterised, and operating strategies are developed for extreme conditions – such as low pressure and low temperatures in aviation applications.
To this end, the institute has experimental facilities available for testing individual components and complete powertrains up to 250 kW in a climate-controlled low-pressure chamber.
The second research group, ‘Traction Power Converters’ (Prof. Xie), focuses on power electronics for and fault diagnosis of traction power supply systems. On the one hand, high-power and balancing converters for traction power supply from the
50 Hz three-phase grid, as well as new concepts for controlling decentralised converter stations, are being developed; whilst, on the other hand, grid interactions – such as the impact of increased converter use on the functionality of power-frequency control, as well as resonance phenomena and the propagation of harmonics via overhead lines and rails – are investigated.