Course content

Production of hydrogen by water electrolysis (alkaline and PEM). Storage of hydrogen (compressed, solid, liquid). Electric energy from fuel cells. Optimized operation of fuel cells. Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations for electrolysis cells and fuel cells. Representation and characterization of fuel cells and electrolysis cells as components in an energy system. Safety and handling of hydrogen.

Storage of electric energy in batteries. Pb-acid battery and Li-ion battery, principles, materials and characteristics of these batteries. Optimized operation of batteries. Batteries and hydrogen for storage in stationary and mobile systems. Representation and characterization of batteries as components in an energy system. Economic, as well as energy aspects related to energy systems based on renewable technologies and hydrogen technology.

Learning outcome

The student will after course completion be able to describe the principles of galvanic cells and electrolysis cells, define efficiencies and relate these to corresponding efficiencies for heat engines, and to basic thermodynamic quantities (free energy, enthalpy, entropy). She will be able to point out the central parts of fuel cells and batteries and explain their functions. He will be able to describe 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 PEM fuel cells, the various parts of these and how they are operated. The student will be able to account for the most central principles of hydrogen production and storage. The student will have knowledge about the most common secondary batteries: Lead-acid and Li-ion. 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 batteries. He student shall obtain knowledge on common methods for characterization of fuel cells and batteries, and the common parameters to describe the performance of these. The student should be able to account for how fuel cells and batteries can be described in an energy system. 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. 70% of the problem sets and the laboratory assignment have to be approved before examination. If the teaching is given in English the Examination papers can be given in English only. Students are free to choose Norwegian or English for written assessments. Lectures, exercises and laboratory experience with compulsory report delivery. Expected time: Lectures:60 hours; Laboratory and report writing:10 hours; Exercises:30 hours. Self study:100 hours.

Compulsory assignments

• Excerises
• Laboratory work

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge in general chemistry and chemical thermodynamics

Required previous knowledge

At least one introductory course in general chemistry at university level

Some basics of thermodynamics

Some basics of materials science

Course materials

(a) Millet and Grigoriev, chapter 2, "Water Electrolysis Technologies, in "Renewable Hydrogen Technologies", ed. by Luis M. Gandia, Gurutze Arzamendi and Pedro M. Dieguez (2013). (b) AL Dicks and DAJ Rand "Fuel Cell Systems Explained", selected chapters (c) Written exercises, laboratory exercises and other distributed materials are also required reading list for exam.