About Helm­holtz Insti­tute Ulm

Energy from renewable sources - such as wind and sun - has to be temporarily stored as it is not available at all times. At the same time, electric cars need a storage device in order to have the electrical energy necessary for locomotion available. Efficient solutions for this are offered by batteries that can temporarily store and release electricity and that show hardly any energy losses.

The HIU takes up the fundamental issues of electrochemical storage and, based on this, develops fundamentally new materials and cell concepts. The aim of the HIU is to develop future-proof electrochemical energy storage systems of the next generation and the next but one, i.e. storage systems that store more energy and are more powerful, lighter, more durable, safer and cheaper than conventional systems. Batteries of this type are an answer to the pressing question of better storage for portable electrical devices and for electric vehicles. They also help to solve the problem of the fluctuating availability of renewable energy sources.

In order to achieve the stated goals, the HIU concentrates the specialist knowledge of four leading research organizations under one roof. With the expertise of its partners, it covers almost all fields of battery research like no other institute in Germany. The HIU combines excellent basic research with the application level.

In addition, HIU is expanding teaching and promoting young talent in order to train highly qualified young scientists in this strategically important field for research and industry.