KJE204 Energy Storage

Contents and structure

The course will provide an overview of the conventional and innovative technologies for electricity storage. Energy storage technologies have become a major focus of attention in the context of increasing amount of variable renewable power production and increasing electrification of power consumption. Technical, market-related, economic, and environmental aspects of energy storage technologies will be discussed. Students will build up a thorough understanding of how to assess various energy storage types with complimentary characteristics and combine them in hybrid systems for specific applications.

The course structure:

• Introduction
  • The role of energy storage in the renewable energy value chain
  • Terminology related to energy conversion and storage
  • Classification of technologies within energy storage
• Energy storage technologies
  • Mechanical energy storage (pumped hydropower, flywheel, compressed air)
  • Electrochemical energy storage (rechargeable batteries, flow batteries, ultra batteries)
  • Electrostatic and electromagnetic energy storage (capacitors, supercapacitors)
  • Chemical energy storage (electrolysis of water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, biomass and oxalic acid in "Power-to-X" technologies; solid, liquid and gaseous energy carriers)
  • Energy storage with engineered biological systems (biobatteries, microbial electrolysis cells and fuel cells)
  • Thermal energy storage (pumped heat, electrothermal phase change materials for electrothermal conversion and storage, cryogenic energy storage, steam accumulator, molten salt)
•  Assessment of energy storage technologies for different applications
• Hybrid energy storage systems for transport and stationary applications

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

The student

• can explain terminology related to energy conversion and storage
• can explain the dynamic interplay between energy sources, energy carriers, energy storage and energy end-use
• can explain the structure, operation and main characteristics of various energy storage technologies
• can understand why and how two or more energy storage technologies with complementary properties are combined and controlled in hybrid systems

Skills

The student

• can carry out systematic analysis of relevant scientific publications, technical literature and reports for case studies on the implementation of various energy storage systems
•  can implement assessment criteria for the evaluation of energy storage technologies for different applications
• can select a suitable energy storage system for a specific application
•  can design simple hybrid systems based on power requirements, energy capacity and economic aspects

General competency

The student

• have a thorough understanding of the enabling role of energy storage in the green shift
• can discuss in a critical and knowledge-based manner technical, market-related, economic and environmental aspects linked to various energy storage technologies

Entry requirements

The candidate should have credits in a course in basic chemistry.

Teaching methods

Lectures, case studies and a company tour (excursion).

Compulsory learning activities

To take the written exam, a written excursion report and a written report from a case study must be approved.

If the report is not approved, it can be submitted a second time.

Approved written reports are valid for six semesters (including the semester the work requirements were approved).

Assessment

Written exam, 3 hours

Grading scale is A-F, of which F is failed.

Examination support material

All calculators

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