The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft inaugurated its Center for Energy Storage and Systems ZESS facility in Braunschweig on October 5, 2026. Backed by €49.85 million in funding from Germany's federal government and the state of Lower Saxony, the center will advance next-generation solid-state battery technology and hydrogen systems suited to industrial deployment.
The new structure encompasses 3,300 square meters of space, with 1,750 square meters dedicated to laboratory work and a 450-square-meter dry room. This infrastructure aims to facilitate the creation of novel energy storage solutions and enable knowledge transfer from research to industry.
Battery Research Across the Entire Process Chain
Work on solid-state batteries encompasses material innovation, manufacturing techniques, and scaling to industrial volumes. The research agenda incorporates sustainability principles and circular economy thinking, with an emphasis on creating battery systems that are both secure and environmentally responsible.
ZESS pools capabilities from three Fraunhofer Institutes: the Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, the Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, and the Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS. The facility works alongside industry participants and Technische Universität Braunschweig, whose Battery LabFactory and Center for Circular Production of Next Batteries and Fuel Cells strengthen the research ecosystem.
Beyond battery development, ZESS pursues hydrogen technology research. This strand similarly targets material and process advancement for industrial use, balancing economic viability with environmental impact.
Source: Battery-News
