Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA)
Presentation of the Institute
ISEA has been active in the fields of power electronics, electric drives, battery storage systems and energy system analysis for more than 45 years. The research work serves the development of innovative and energy-efficient solutions in the context of the energy and transport transition. In addition to academic publication, the ISEA engages in current social and political discussions and creates transparency through targeted public relations and policy advice.
"Not only are we living beyond our means in terms of burning fossil fuels, but we are also consuming other resources far beyond sustainable levels. The Circular Economy is necessary to build an economic system that is sustainable in every respect for future generations."
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dirk Uwe Sauer
The topics of the Circular Economy play a significant role in the energy and transport transition. ISEA covers a large part of the value chain in the area of power electronics as well as batteries. On the one hand, it focuses on minimizing the use of materials, e.g. by multiple use of mobile and stationary storage units or by replacing heavy transformers made of iron and copper with semiconductor-based transformers, and on the other hand on the condition assessment of components with regard to aging and remaining service life during operation. This information is used to make decisions between reuse, remanufacturing and recycling of the components. Based on the analyses, recommendations for the material composition and the system design are developed, which contribute to a closed-loop recycling economy. In the future, these competences will be combined in the interdisciplinary Center for Ageing, Reliability and Lifetime Prediction of Electrochemical and Power Electronic Systems (CARL), which will be founded together with other institutes.
For the relevant projects of the institute please click on this link