Helping to shape the battery system of the future

Developing an innovative battery system and thus helping to shape the mobility of tomorrow - this is the task that researchers at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) are tackling together with 16 partners in the EU research project "MARBEL". The project aims to develop an innovative and environmentally friendly lightweight battery system with increased energy density and shorter charging times.

The focus is on a sustainable design of the interior and housing of the modular system. To this end, solutions and processes for sustainable disassembly and reuse of the energy storage units using secondary raw materials are to be developed. The aim is to ensure so-called second-life applications. According to the coordinators, sustainable construction, shorter charging times and thus a longer range will help to promote the acceptance and use of electric vehicles on the European market.

Two sub-projects of MARBEL are being realised at the THI. Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Schweiger, Research Professor for Battery Systems, is responsible for leading the battery tests and for testing and validating the developed system. Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Schweiger: "The THI Institute C-ECOS is very pleased to contribute to the development of safe and sustainable energy storage systems in its second EU-H2020 project. The focus of the research group 'Safe Electromobility' is on the one hand on battery system design, using sustainable materials, and on the other hand on battery load tests."

The research group led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Joachim Hof is contributing to the definition of the system's IT security requirements and the development of the battery management system's connection to a cloud, with a focus on cyber security. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Joachim Hof: "Battery systems of the future represent an attractive target for hackers. In MARBEL, my research group is developing protection methods against attacks in future mobility scenarios."

"MARBEL is funded by the H2020 programme of the European Union with a total volume of 10 million euros. THI receives a sub-project budget of 1.1 million euros of this. The project brings together 16 partners from eight countries. In addition to THI, these are the research centres Eurecat, Energy Research Institute of Catalunya (IREC), SINTEF, Institute of Communication and Computer Systems ICCS Athens and the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology. Other members are IDIADA Automotive Technology, Powertech Systems, OTC Engineering, Centro Ricerche Fiat - CRF and five component manufacturers.