Research interests

Caroline Willich is currently team leader at the Institute for Energy Conversion and Storage at Ulm University. After studying mechanical engineering at TU Munich and ETSII in Madrid, she joined the German Aerospace Center (DLR), where she worked on local inhomogeneities in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) during her phd and on pressurized SOFC and a fuel cell - gas turbine - hybrid power plant as team lead afterwards. During a postdoc at Cambridge University, she worked on pumped thermal energy storage. At Ulm her main research focus is on fuel cell systems and their integration, as well as hybrid systems, for aviation and other mobile applications.

Her interests include:

  • Fuel cell systems and hybrid systems for aviation and other mobile applications
    • Electrical, elecrochemical and thermal characterisation of components and system integration
    • Hybridsation and operating strategies
    • Modellling and experimental characterisation
  • Integration of renewable energies and storage into the energy market
    • Hydrogen as energy storage
    • Pumped thermal energy storage

 

 

Teaching

  • Lectures:
    • Renewable and Conventional Energy Production (Winter term)
    • Integration of Renewable Energies (Summer term)
    • Einführung in die Energietechnik (Summer term)
  • Supervision of Bachelor and Master theses
  • Phd seminar

Current research projects

  • Go4Hy2
  • Enable
  • ALBERT

  Former projects:

  • Mahepa
  • HighV
  • H2Pure

 

 

Since 7/2017

University of Ulm

Group leader

9/2016–6/2017

Research scientist at Catalan Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Spain

Project: 3D printing of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks
  
6/2014-7/2016

Research Associate at Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK

Project: Pumped thermal energy storage (PTES)
Participant of the Emerging researcher development program of Cambridge University
04/2011-03/2014

Project leader at Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Germany

Projects:
Solid oxide fuel cell / Micro gas turbine hybrid power plant
Performance of pressurized solid oxide fuel cells
01/2007-03/2011

Doctoral thesis at Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Germany

Topic: “Local characterization of solid oxide fuel cells”
04/2005-12/2006

Diploma of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Germany, passed with distinction

Focus: Sustainable energy systems,  Flight propulsion and turbomachinery                                 Diploma thesis: Analysis of the microstructure of a solid oxide fuel cell
10/2003-03/2005 

Double degree program (TIME) in Mechanical engineering, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Spain

Publications

since 2017:

Publikationsliste des Instituts ⇒

 

before 2017:

Phd thesis

C. Willich, “Local Characterisation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells”, Shaker Verlag, 2013 (University Stuttgart, 2012)

 

 Journals

 First author

C. Willich, A.J. White, “Heat transfer losses in reciprocating compressors with valve actuation for energy storage applications”, Journal of Energy Storage, vol. 14, pp. 322-328 (2017)

C. Willich, C. N. Markides, and A. J. White, “An investigation of heat transfer losses in reciprocating devices,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 111, pp. 903–913 (2016)

C. Willich, A. Tomaszewski, M. Henke, K. A. Friedrich, J. Kallo, “Temperature Effect due to Internal Reforming in Pressurized SOFC Fuel Cells”, Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 161(5) F674-F678 (2014)

C. Willich, C. Westner, M. Henke, F. Leucht, J. Kallo, K.A. Friedrich, “Pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with Reformate as Fuel“, Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 159 (11) F711-F716 (2012)

 

Corresponding author

P. Hoenicke, D. Gosh, A. Muhandes, S. Bhattacharya, C. Bauer, J. Kallo, C. Willich, “Power Management Control and Delivery Module for a Hybrid-electric Aircraft using Fuel Cell and Battery”, Energy Conversion & Management, Volume 244, 2021

J. Schröter, T. Graf, D. Frank, C. Bauer, J. Kallo, C. Willich, “Influence of pressure losses on compressor performance in a pressurized fuel cell air supply system for airplane applications”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 46, Issue 40, Pages 21151-21159, 2021

 

Coauthor

M. Henke, C. Willich, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Theoretical study on pressurized operation of solid oxide electrolysis cells”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy”, Vol. 39, Issue 24, p. 12434–12439, (2014)

M. Henke, C. Willich, C. Westner, F. Leucht, J. Kallo, W. G. Bessler, K. A. Friedrich, “A validated multi-scalemodel of a SOFC stack at elevated pressure”, Fuel Cells 13, No.5, p. 773-780, (2013)

M. Henke, C. Willich, C. Westner, F. Leucht, R. Leibinger, J. Kallo, K.A. Friedrich, “Effect of Pressure Variation on Power Density and Efficiency of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells” Electrochimica Acta 66, p.158-163 (2012).

W. G. Bessler, S. Gewies, C. Willich, G. Schiller, and K. A. Friedrich, "Spatial distribution of electrochemical performance in a segmented SOFC: A combined modeling and experimental study," Fuel Cells 10, 411-418 (2010).

P. Metzger, K. A. Friedrich, G. Schiller, C. Willich, “Spatially Resolved Measuring Technique for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells”, Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology, 6, ASME. DOI: 10.1115/1.3080548. (2009)

 

Conference proceedings

            First author

C. Willich, A.J. White, “Heat Transfer losses in Reciprocating Compressors for Energy Storage Applications”, Offshore Energy & Storage Symposium, Malta (2016)

C. Willich, M. Henke, J. Kallo, “Development of a demonstration SOFC/MGT hybrid power plant“, 20th World Hydrogen Energy Conference, WHEC 2014, Gwangju, South Korea (2014)

C. Willich, A. Tomaszewski, M. Henke, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Temperature Effect due to Internal Reforming in Pressurized SOFC” in ECS Trans.57, (2013)

C. Willich, M. Henke, C. Westner, F. Leucht, W.G. Bessler, J. Kallo, K.A. Friedrich, “Fuel Variation in a pressurized SOFC“, in Proceedings of the 10th European Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2012)

C. Willich, C. Westner, M. Henke, F. Leucht, J. Kallo, W.G. Bessler, U. Maier, K.A. Friedrich, “Pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with Reformate as Fuel“, ECS Trans. 41 (31), 43 (2011).

C. Willich, C. Westner, S. Seidler, F. Leucht, M.Henke, J. Kallo, U. Maier, K. A. Friedrich, “Pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Operational Behavior”, in: Proceedings H2 Expo; Hamburg, Germany (2011) 

C. Willich, S. Gewies, W. G. Bessler, and G. Schiller, "Experimental and Modelling Study of a Segmented SOFC Operated with Methane-Steam Mixtures," in Proceedings of the 9th European Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2010)

 

Coauthor

S. Bhattacharya, C. Willich, P. Hoenike, J. Kallo, “A Novel Re-configurable LLC Converter for Electric Aircraft”, IEEE 2021 - Energy Conversion Congress & Exposition – Asia, online, 2021

P. Thierer and C. Willich, “Energiespeicherbedarf für die Integration von Erneuerbaren Energien ins Stromnetz,” in 16. Symposium Energieinnovation, Graz, Austria,2020

D. Gosh, J. Kallo and Caroline Willich, "High Efficient Energy System for Electric Passenger Aircraft Propulsion", AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum, San Diego, California, USA, 2019

D. Ghosh, C. Willich and J. Kallo, "Development of a novel AC hybrid concept for a fuel cell-battery hybrid electric aircraft with power electronics switches," 2018 14th International Conference on Power Electronics (CIEP), Cholula, 2018, pp. 105-110.

A.I. Taleb, C. Barfuß, P. Sapin, D. Fabris, C. Willich, A. White, C.N. Markides,  “The Influence of Real Gases Effects on Thermal Losses in Reciprocating Piston-Cylinder Systems“,  in proceedings of 12th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malaga, Spain (2016)

M. Henke, C. Willich, M. Steilen, C. Schnegelberger, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Operational Aspects for Direct Coupling of Gas Turbine and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells”, in ECS Trans. 68    (2015)

C. Schnegelberger, M. Steilen, M. Henke, C. Willich, J. Kallo, K.A, Friedrich, “Experimental Investigation of Anode/Cathode Differential Pressures for a SOFC/Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant”, in: Proceedings of 11th European SOFC & SOE Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland  (2014)

M. Steilen, C. Schnegelberger, M. Henke, C. Willich, J. Kallo, K.A. Friedrich, “Experimental Investigation of Peripheral Components in a SOFC/Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant”, in: Proceedings of 11th European SOFC & SOE Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland  (2014)

M. Henke, C. Willich, K.A. Friedrich, J. Kallo, “Theoretical Study on Pressurized Operation of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells”, in: Proceedings of 11th European SOFC & SOE Forum. Lucerne, Switzerland  (2014)

M. Henke, C. Willich, M. Steilen, C Schnegelberger, K.A Friedrich, J. Kallo, Josef  “Operation of a SOFC-Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant with Different Fuels”, in: Proceedings of 11th European SOFC & SOE Forum. Lucerne, Switzerland  (2014)

M. Henke, C. Willich, M. Steilen, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Solid Oxide Fuel Cell – Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant”, in ECS Trans. 57, (2013)

M. Lang, M. Klein, M. Henke, C. Willich, G. Schiller, F. Hauler, “Understanding the Electrochemical Behavior of SOFC Stacks”, in ECS Trans. 57, (2013)

A. Tomaszewski, C.Willich, M. Henke, M. Klein, J.Kallo, K.A. Friedrich, “Pressurized SOFC for the integration in a hybrid power plant”, in Proceedings of  5th International Conference on Fundamentals & Development of Fuel Cells, Karlsruhe, Germany (2013)

M. Henke, C. Willich, C. Westner, F. Leucht, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Effect of pressure variation on power density and efficiency of solid oxide fuel cells” in Proceedings of the 10th European Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2012)

C. Westner, C. Willich, M. Henke, F. Leucht, M. Lang, J. Kallo, K.A. Friedrich, “Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) on Pressurized SOFC“, in Proceedings of the 10th European Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2012)

F. Leucht, M. Henke, C. Willich, C. Westner, J.Kallo, K. A. Friedrich “Hydrogen Rich Natural Gas as a Fuel for SOFC Systems”, in: ICEPAG 2012, Costa Mesa, California, USA (2012)

F. Leucht, C. Willich, M. Henke, C. Westner, J. Kallo, U. Maier, K.A. Friedrich, “Advances on the way to a Stationary Hybrid Power Plant”, in: proceedings CD f-cell 2011, Stuttgart, Germany (2011)

G. Schiller, W. G. Bessler, C. Willich, and K. A. Friedrich, "Application of In-Situ Diagnostic Methods for the Study of SOFC Operational Behaviour," in: Proceedings of the 9th European Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2010)

G. Schiller, W.G. Bessler, C. Willich, K.A Friedrich, “Study of SOFC Operational Behavior by Applying In-Situ Diagnostic Methods”, in: Fuel Cell Seminar 2010 Abstract Book, pp. 161-166, San Antonio, USA. (2010)

G. Schiller, W.G. Bessler, K.A. Friedrich, S. Gewies, C. Willich, “Spatially Resolved Electrochemical Performance in a Segmented Planar SOFC", ECS Transactions, 17 (1), pp. 79-87. (2009) 

G. Schiller, N. Bayer Botero, W. G. Bessler, K. A. Friedrich, S. Gewies, C. Willich, “Spatially Resolved Electrochemical Performance in a Segmented Planar SOFC", in: 2008 Fuel Cell Seminar&Exposition, Phoenix, AZ (USA)( 2008)

G. Schiller, C. Willich, K.A. Friedrich, S. Gewies, N. Bayer Botero, W.G. Bessler, “Spatial Distribution of Electrochemical Performance in a Planar SOFC”, in Proceedings of the 8th  Lucerne Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2008)

P. Metzger, K.A. Friedrich, G. Schiller, C. Willich, “Spatially Resolved Measuring Technique for SOFC”. In: Proceedings of the Second European Fuel Cell Technology and Applications Conference, pp. 9-10, Rome, Italy. (2007) 

 

Presentations

First author

C. Willich, A. Muhandes, P. Hönicke, “HY4 Power Management Module”, Mahepa autumn school, 9-13.11.2020, online

C. Willich, A. J. White, “Heat Transfer Losses in Reciprocating Compressors for Energy Storage Applications”, Offshore Energy & Storage Symposium, Malta (2016)

C. Willich, C.N. Markides, A. White, “Heat Transfer losses in Reciprocating Compressors and Expanders for Energy Storage Applications“ , UK Energy Storage Conference, Birmingham, UK (2015)

C. Willich, M. Henke, M. Steilen, J. Kallo, K.A. Friedrich, “Pressurized SOFC for efficient hybrid power plants”, f-cell, Stuttgart, Germany (2013)

C. Willich, M. Henke, C. Westner, F. Leucht, W. G. Bessler, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Experiments and Modeling of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy on Pressurized SOFC”, ECS 222, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (2012)

C. Willich, M. Henke, C. Westner, F. Leucht, W.G. Bessler, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Effect of pressure on internal reforming in SOFC”, Fuel Cell 2012 Science and technology, Berlin, Germany (2012).

C. Willich, C. Westner, S. Seidler, F. Leucht, M.Henke, J. Kallo, U. Maier, K. A. Friedrich, “Pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Operational Behavior”, H2 Expo; Hamburg, Germany (2011) 

C. Willich, W. G. Bessler, N. Bayer Botero, G. Schiller, “Spatial distribution of electrochemical performance in a planar segmented SOFC”. 5th Symposium on Fuel Cell Modeling and Experimental Validation, Winterthur, Switzerland (2008)

 

Co author

S. Bhattacharya, C. Willich, P. Hoenike, J. Kallo, “A Novel Re-configurable LLC Converter for Electric Aircraft”, IEEE 2021 - Energy Conversion Congress & Exposition – Asia, 2021, online

G. Neubauer, D. Frank, C. Willich, “Production of more Sustainable Aircraft: Integration Aspects Emission and Performance Testing”, Mahepa autumn school, 9-13.11.2020, online

D. Anagnostou, A. Muhandes, C. Willich, J. Kallo, “Challenges of DC insulating systems for airplanes”, COMSOL conference, 14-15-10.2020, online

P. Thierer and C. Willich, “Energiespeicherbedarf für die Integration von Erneuerbaren Energien ins Stromnetz,” in 16. Symposium Energieinnovation, 2020, Graz, Austria

Ghosh D. et. al. (invited lecture 2019): A novel AC hybrid for hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system; More Electric Aircraft Europe, 28.-31.10.2019, Hamburg

Kallo, J., Schirmer, J., Flade, S., Poggel, S., Stephan, T., & Willich, C. (2019). High Efficient Energy System for Electric Passenger Aircraft Propulsion. In AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum (p. 1672).

Ghosh D., Willich C., Kallo J.: Development of a novel AC hybrid concept for a fuel cell-battery hybrid electric aircraft with power electronics switches”, 14th IEEE International Power Electronics Congress (CIEP), 24.-26.10.2018, Cholula, Mexico

C. Willich, V. Esposito, C. Chaput, J. C. Ruiz-Morales, P. Gooden, F. Ramos, D. Lieftink, H. Hedlund, A. Morata, A. Tarancón, “3D printed SOFC stacks“, 21st International Conference on Solid State Ionics, Padua, Italy, 2017

A. Tarancon, C. Willich, V. Esposito, C. Chapout, J.C. Ruiz-Morales, P. Gooden, F. Ramos, D. Lieftink, A. Ansar, A. Morata, “Multimaterial 3D printing of ceramics for solid oxide fuel cell applications”, Ceramics for Energy - 2nd International Forum on Ceramics and Inorganic Materials, Faenza, Italy, 2017

A.I. Taleb, C. Barfuß, P. Sapin, D. Fabris, C. Willich, A. White, C.N. Markides,  “The Influence of Real Gases Effects on Thermal Losses in Reciprocating Piston-Cylinder Systems“,  12th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malaga, Spain, 2016

L. Yu, A. Taleb, P. Sapin, C. Willich, D. Fabris, A.J. White, C.N. Markides, “High-Efficiency Reciprocating Compressors and Expanders”, UKES, Birmingham, UK (2015)

M. Henke, C. Willich, M. Steilen, C. Schnegelberger, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Operational Aspects for Direct Coupling of Gas Turbine and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells”,  SOFC XIV, Glasgow, UK (2015)

A.J. White, J.D McTigue, C. Willich, P. Farres Antunez, H. Xue, C.N. Markides, R. Mathie et al., “Thermal Energy Storage Systems (and Devices) for Electrical Energy Applications”, UK Thermal Energy Storage Workshop, Birmingham, UK (2015)

R. Mathie, C. Willich, A. White, C. Markides, “Losses in Reciprocating Compressors and Expanders for Energy Storage Applications Experimental and Computational Study”, UK Energy Storage Conference, Warwick, UK (2014)

C. Willich, M. Henke, J. Kallo, “Development of a demonstration SOFC/MGT hybrid power plant“, 20th World Hydrogen Energy Conference, WHEC 2014, Gwangju, South Korea (2014)

M. Henke, C. Willich, K.A. Friedrich, J. Kallo, “Theoretical Study on Pressurized Operation of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells”, 11th European Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2014)

M. Steilen, C. Schnegelberger, M. Henke, C. Willich, J.Kallo, K.A. Friedrich,”Experimental Investigation of Peripheral Components in a SOFC/Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant” 11th European Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2014)

M. Steilen, C. Schnegelberger, M. Henke, C. Willich, J. Kallo, K.A. Friedrich, “Experimental Investigation of Anode/Cathode Pressure Differences for a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant”, ICEPAG, Newport Beach,  California, USA. (2014)

M. Henke, C. Willich, M.Steilen, J. Kallo, K.A. Friedrich, “Solid Oxide Fuel Cell - Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant”, ICEPAG, Newport Beach, California, USA.  (2014)

J. Kallo, C. Willich, M. Henke, M. Steilen, K.A. Friedrich, “Pressurized SOFC for Hybrid Power Plants”, Fuel Cell Seminar, Columbus, Ohio, USA (2013)

M. Henke, C. Willich, M. Steilen, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Solid Oxide Fuel Cell – Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant”, 13th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC-XIII), Okinawa, Japan (2013)

A. Huber, M. Hohloch, M. Herbst, S. Bücheler, M. Aigner, C. Willich, M. Henke, M. Steilen, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, „Hybridkraftwerk (PSOFC / MGT)“, BMWi Statusseminar „Brennstoffzelle“, Stuttgart, Germany (2013)

M. Henke, C. Willich, C. Westner, F. Leucht, W. G. Bessler, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Theoretical study on pressurized operation of solid oxide electrolysis cells”, ECS 222, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (2012)

M. Henke, C. Willich, C. Westner, F. Leucht, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Effect of pressure variation on power density and efficiency of solid oxide fuel cells” 10th European Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2012)

J. Kallo, M. Henke, C. Willich, C. Westner, F. Leucht, W.G. Bessler, K.A. Friedrich, “Pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cells“, WHEC 2012, Toronto, Canada (2012)

M. Henke, F. Leucht, C. Willich, C. Westner, M. Lang, W. G. Bessler, J.Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, “Modeling and Experimental Study of Pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cells”, ModVal 9, Campus Sursee, Switzerland (2012)    

F. Leucht, M. Henke, C. Willich, C. Westner, J.Kallo, K. A. Friedrich “Hydrogen Rich Natural Gas as a Fuel for SOFC Systems”, ICEPAG, Costa Mesa, California, USA (2012)

J. Kallo, F. Leucht, M. Henke, C. Westner, C. Willich, U. Maier, K.A. Friedrich, “Solid Oxide Fuel Cells as Part of Hybrid Power Plants”, Fuel cell seminar & Exposition, Orlando, Florida, USA (2011) 

G. Schiller, H. Ax, W.G. Bessler, C. Christenn, Z. Ilhan, P. Szabo, C. Willich, “Anwendung in-situ diagnostischer Methoden für die Untersuchung oxidkeramischer Brennstoffzellen“, 4. Sächsischer Brennstoffzellentag, Leipzig, Germany (2011)

F. Leucht, C. Willich, M. Henke, C. Westner, J. Kallo, U. Maier, K.A. Friedrich, “Advances on the way to a Stationary Hybrid Power Plant”, f-cell 2011, Stuttgart, Germany (2011) 

G. Schiller, W.G. Bessler, C. Willich, K.A Friedrich, “Study of SOFC Operational Behavior by Applying In-Situ Diagnostic Methods”. 2010 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition, San Antonio, USA (2010)

G. Schiller, W. G. Bessler, C. Willich, and K. A. Friedrich, "Application of In-Situ Diagnostic Methods for the Study of SOFC Operational Behaviour," 9th European Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2010).

N. Wagner, G. Schiller, C. Willich, K.A. Friedrich, “Theory and Application of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for Fuel Cell Characterization”, 8th International Symposium on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Carvoeiro, Portugal (2010)

S. Gewies, C. Willich, V. Yurkiv, G. Schiller, W.G. Bessler, K. A. Friedrich, “Spatially Resolved Electrochemical Performance in a Segmented Planar SOFC“, 6th Symposium on Fuel Cell Modelling and Experimental Validation, Bad Herrenalb, Germany. (2009)

W.G. Bessler, G.Schiller, C. Willich, K.A. Friedrich, “Ortsaufgelöste Charakterisierung und modellgestützte Optimierung der planaren SOFC“, f-cell 2008, Stuttgart, Germany, (2008)

G. Schiller, C. Willich, K. A. Friedrich, S. Gewies, N. Bayer Botero, W.G. Bessler, “Spatial Distribution of Electrochemical Performance in a Planar SOFC”. 8th European Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland (2008)

Kontakt

 

Priv.-Doz. Dr.-Ing. Caroline Willich

Raum47.2.253
Tel:+49 (0)731 5025547
Fax:+49 (0)731 5025549
Mail:caroline.willich(at)uni-ulm.de