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

Upon completing the course KJE204 Energy Storage, the student has the following learning outcome defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

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 competence

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.

The time and location for the exam will be announced on Studentweb.

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

Examination support material

All calculators

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