pre200 Selected Renewable Energy Technologies

180 h

The module intends to give an overview and deeper understanding of front-edge topics and technologies relevant for the energy transition.

Current main such topics are the rolling out of the hydrogen economy as well as circular economy and critical material use and ocean energy converters. In the context of the energy transition in the global south, small hydro turbines may play a relevant role and are also part of the module content. Main skills to be achieved in the module are:  

• Understand and describe front-edge topics in the energy transition.
• Cross-sectoral topics, technologies and new research topics relevant for the energy transition.
• Understand the principles, chemical and energy conversion processes involved in hydrogen and fuel cell systems.
• Understand the role of hydrogen in the energy transformation and the main energy conversion processes in which it is involved.  
• Critically evaluate and describe hydrogen storage systems (electrolyser, gas storage and fuel cells) as well as their uses, advantages, characteristics and pitfalls.
• Understand and describe principles governing ocean energy converters
• Understand and describe principles governing micro-hydro energy converters
• Understand and describe concepts for circular economy and recycling in the energy sector
• Understand methods for assessing critical materials, their definitions and importance for the energy transition

Hydrogen and fuel cells (3 CP)

• Basics of hydrogen production (materials, processes, efficiencies, environmental impacts)
• Basics of fuel cells (function, materials, construction, systems applications)
• Basics of hydrogen storage systems (their setup, control, safety aspects)

Hidden Champions of RE (3 CP)

• Basic concepts for circular economy and recycling of materials in the energy sector
• Basic definitions and methods for appraising critical materials for the energy transition
• Ocean energy converters: principles and examples
• Micro hydro energy converters: their principles, characteristics and uses

 Relevant references will be given during the two courses