Description
Objectives
To discuss the role of batteries in the energy transition. To discuss the working principles of different families of batteries. To highlight how batteries fit into the circular economy context and to discuss the relevance of sustainable technologies. To discuss the battery value chain, considering raw materials, new active materials, fabrication and assembling processes, applications and recycling. To discuss the sustainability of the processes and operations associated to the fabrication of electrodes, assembling of cells, battery use and management and recycling. To design and to implement energy storage solutions based on batteries considering different applications. To analyze batteries life cycle. To discuss market trends and to identify new paths for the future of batteries.
Syllabus
The energy transition: challenges and opportunities for batteries Battery evolution and novel markets Working principles of different batteries Value chain of batteries Raw materials Development of novel active materials, sustainability and environmental impact Electrolytes and the need of sustainable chemistry processes Processes and technology in fabrication and assembling of cells Use of batteries to implement energy storage solutions in conventional and renewable energy production, electric mobility, transportation, grid management, industrial efficiency and smart buildings Certification and normalization Battery safety Hybrid systems (batteries and supercapacitors) Maintenance and Battery lifetime Batteries 2nd life Recycling processes Cost and lifecycle analysis Circular economy models Environmental sustainability and related legislation A set of 3 invited seminars involving experts from industry will be presented ( EDP, C2CNewCap, Zeev)
Prerequisites
Description of the suggested prerequisites to attend the curricular unit. (max. 1000)
Cross Competence Component
The students are expected to develop critical thinking and innovative approaches to complete their projects. Projects are developed in interdisciplinary groups of 3-4 students and require organizational skills to implement the deliverables. Students working in interdisciplinary teams and are motivated to implement creative approaches / concepts around a case study. Moreover students are stimulated to find and to select critically the necessary information. Team work, verbal capacity, presentation skills and arguing capacity are stimulated during the project development and discussions. Accounts for 10% of the course.
Laboratorial Component
Assembling of an electrochemical cell
Programming And Computing Component
Use of dedicated software such software for life cycle analys- OpenLCA
Ethical Principles
All members of a group are responsible for the group´s work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.