The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft opened the new building for its Center for Energy Storage and Systems ZESS in Braunschweig on October 5, 2026. The center will further develop next-generation solid-state batteries and hydrogen technologies for industrial applications. Germany’s federal government and the state of Lower Saxony invested approximately €49.85 million in the research facility.
The building spans approximately 3,300 square meters, including around 1,750 square meters of laboratory space and a 450-square-meter dry room. The infrastructure is intended to support the development of new energy storage technologies and technology transfer.
Battery Research Across the Entire Process Chain
Research on solid-state batteries spans new materials, production technologies, and industrial scale-up. Sustainability and the circular economy are also part of the research approach. The goal is to develop safe and sustainable battery technologies.
ZESS brings together the expertise of the Fraunhofer Institutes for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, and Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS. The center also collaborates with industry partners and Technische Universität Braunschweig. The university’s Battery LabFactory and Center for Circular Production of Next Batteries and Fuel Cells complement the research environment.
In addition to batteries, ZESS researches hydrogen technologies. This work also aims to further develop materials and production processes for industrial applications, taking economic and environmental factors into account.
