Fraunhofer ISE develops battery design to increase energy density by 15%

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) have developed a new battery electrode design that can increase energy density by 10% to 15% without adding weight. By increasing electrode coating thickness from the standard 100–200 µm to as much as 800 µm, the design reduces the number of required current collectors, allowing more space for active energy-storing material. This PFAS-free and solvent-free method has been demonstrated in lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and zinc-ion cells.

The technology is designed for cost-effective mass production with lower capital and operating costs compared to current wet-coating systems. This could enable small and medium-sized enterprises to establish battery production facilities in Germany.

In other energy developments, plans are underway in Germany to utilize former industrial sites for grid stability. In Niederaichbach, a large-scale battery storage system and an AI data center are planned for a former nuclear power plant site. In Aachen, Voltfang is constructing a 10 MW/21 MWh battery storage facility on the former Philips site to utilize available grid capacity. Additionally, IBU-tec has received approval to build an LFP battery material production plant in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, aiming for large-scale production by 2028.