OBERHAUSEN, Germany — Johnson Controls and Fraunhofer Gesellschaft have
signed a collaboration agreement to develop the next generation of more
energy-efficient, cost-effective cooling systems for vehicle batteries.

Scientists
and engineers at Johnson Controls will work with both Fraunhofer’s Institute for
Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT) and with its
Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM).

The
collaboration will focus on technologies and thermal management
strategies for Lithium-ion battery packs. Currently, systems with fans,
compressors or pumps use energy to pull heat out of a battery.

"Optimizing
the energy storage solution within the broader vehicle environment will
enable Johnson Controls to design, develop and commercialize systems
which not only meet our customers’ requirements, but also lead to
improvements in function, package and cost," said MaryAnn Wright, vice president of engineering and product development for Johnson Controls Power Solutions.

The
scope of the work will initially focus on 48-Volt Micro Hybrid battery
technology, which is designed to deliver strong fuel and emissions
efficiency, and load management at a lower price than hybrid and
electric vehicle technology. 

Johnson
Controls has demonstrated its advanced Micro Hybrid battery technology
has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 15 percent, thus
helping automakers meet increasing regulations, while consumers save
money when they fill their gas tank.

The technology is expected to be adopted in Europe first and then quickly move to the U.S., with global adoption starting in 2020.

"Our
commitment to developing new battery technologies is exemplified in our
strong global academic network and national lab partnerships," said
Wright. "Innovative collaborations, like the one we have with the
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, are an investment in both the future of
academic research in energy management, as well the development of the
talent pipeline for our industry."

Along with the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Johnson Controls Power Solutions works with partners such as Argonne National Lab, the University of Wisconsin System, Lawrence Technological University, Ohio State University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Hannover University, Aachen University, the University of Cambridge and the University of Science and Technology- Beijing.