Course content

Solar radiation. Semiconductors. Electric power from solar cells, principles of operation, characteristics. Power losses and efficiency. Sizing and construction of solar-cell systems. Production and storage of hydrogen. Water electrolysis. Electrical energy from fuel cells. Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations for electrolysis- and fuel cells. Safety in hydrogen handling. Applications of solar cells, hydrogen and fuel cells in stationary and mobile systems. Economical and energy analyses for the introduction of energy systems based on renewable energy resources and hydrogen.

Learning outcome

The student will after course completion be able to describe the principles of solar cells based on pn-junctions, galvanic cells, and electrolysis cells, define efficiencies and relate these to fundamental physical quantities (for solar cells their band gaps and the solar spectrum, for fuel cells thermodynamic quantities free energy, enthalpy, entropy).
She will be able to point out the central parts of the solar cell or the fuel cell and explain their functions. He will be able to describe the the physical implementation of the components and account for typical material choices made in state-of-the-art cells. The student will be able to describe the following fuel cells and account for the advantages and drawbacks: MFC, AFC, PAFC, MCFC og SOFC.
The student will be able to account for the most central principles of hydrogen production and storage.
The student is able to perform quantitative (analytical) calculations associated with the concepts above, including calculations of efficiency in the presence of ohmic losses and overpotentials for fuel cells, and simple calculations associated with solar cell characteristics, and gas equilibria for reforming reactions. In addition the student will be able to calculate solar radiation on a tilted solar cell panel facing south, at a given time of the year and position, given the solar irradiation at a horizontal panel at the same time and position. The student will also be able to use a simple laboratory setup for water electrolysis and a fuel cell.
The student will be able to account for the general principles of well-to-wheel analyses, and perform simple calculations associated with this.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, problem sets and laboratory experiments. Invited lectureres from industry and business. 50% of the problem sets and the laboratory assignment have to be approved before examination. In case of a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic chemistry and thermodynamics.

Course materials

a)"Fuel Cell Systems - Explained", 2. ed. James Larminie and Andrew Dicks, Wiley (2003), ISBN-0-470-84857-X.
(b) "Solar Electricity", ed. by Tomas Markvart, 2.ed., Wiley (2000), ISBN-0-471-98852-9 (ppc) eller ISBN-0-471-98853-7 (paper back).

Credit reductions