ES96X-15 Batteries and Fuel Cells
Introductory description
ES96X-15 Batteries and Fuel Cells
Module aims
To introduce students to the principles of modern energy storage and fuel cells and their applications, including grid-scale storage, vehicle propulsion and portable electronics. The module will provide students with a firm grounding in the thermodynamic principles of electrochemical, electrical and mechanical energy conversion with a focus on fuel cells and energy storage methods, e.g., batteries, supercapacitors and pumped hydro.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Types of electrochemical cells for energy conversion
- Principle of batteries and types of batteries (energy storage)
- Principles of a fuel cell and types of fuel cell (energy generation)
- Quantitative characterisation of fuel cell performance: voltage losses and their
management - Applications of fuel cells in different sectors
- Challenges in development (degradation, materials, costs, engineering)
- Advanced and emerging battery systems (Li-air, secondary metal-air, flow, molten-
salt) and applications areas - Quantitative characterisation of battery performance: voltage losses and their
management - Energy storage systems and methods: electrochemical, thermal, flywheel, pumped
hydro, hydrogen storage, supercapacitors, superconducting magnet and
electrochemical - Integrated systems and calculations of energy efficiency and figures of merit for
performance
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Autonomously apply the principles governing the operation of advanced battery and fuel cell systems to solve complex problems.
- Independently perform systematic and detailed calculations to evaluate figures of merit, such as efficiency and power.
- Critique the effectiveness of mechanical and thermal energy storage systems in various applications and illustrating technology limitations.
- Critique the material requirements for current and future fuel cell and energy storage technologies, and show a sound understanding of the main degradation mechanisms.
- Critically evaluate the components, operation, and limitations of advanced, state-of-the-art energy storage systems such as flow batteries, supercapacitors, and flywheels.
- Evaluate the existing, and hypothesize the future requirements of energy storage and fuel cell applications.
- Evaluate specifications and demonstrate an autonomous ability to select and size appropriate energy storage technologies.
Indicative reading list
- Revankar, W.T., fuel Cells: Principles, Design, and Analysis. 2016.
- X. Li, Principles of Fuel Cells, Taylor and Francis, 2006.
- R. Huggins, Energy Storage, Springer, 2010.
- Daniel. C. Harris, Quantitative Chemical Analysis, Freeman, 2007
- James Larminie and Andrew Dicks, Fuel Cell Systems Explained (2nd Ed) Wiley, 2003.
- Robert A. Huggins, Energy Storage, Springer, 2016.
- Christian Julien, Alain Mauger, Ashok Vijh and Karim Zaghib, Lithium batteries : science and
technology, 2016.
Subject specific skills
Good knowledge in basic electrochemistry;
Based on the knowledge in basic electrochemistry, have deep understanding on the principles and operating mechanism of fuel cells and batteries;
Based on the knowledge in fuel cells and batteries, have better understanding on their applications in renewable energy storage, electric vehicles.
Transferable skills
The skills and knowledge learned in this course can be applied in future jobs in the section of renewable energy storage and electric vehicles.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 sessions of 1 hour (20%) |
| Seminars | 2 sessions of 1 hour (1%) |
| Other activity | 2 hours (1%) |
| Private study | 116 hours (77%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Guided independent learning 116 Hours
Other activity description
Example classes
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group B3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Examination | 100% | No | |
|
Written Examintion 3 hours ~Platforms - QMP
|
|||
Feedback on assessment
Coursework marked with detailed comments
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 4 of UESA-H311 MEng Mechanical Engineering
- Year 1 of TESA-H1A0 Postgraduate Taught Sustainable Energy Technologies
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 2 of TESA-H1A0 Postgraduate Taught Sustainable Energy Technologies
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 1 of TESA-H642 Postgraduate Taught Energy and Power Engineering
This module is Option list C for:
-
UESA-H311 MEng Mechanical Engineering
- Year 4 of H30G Mechanical Engineering with Business Management
- Year 4 of H30P Mechanical Engineering with Fluid Dynamics