Fuel Cell Systems & Hydrogen
First Trimester - Renewable Energy Science
Renewable Energy Science (30 ECTS)
Second Trimester - Fuel Cell Systems & Hydrogen (30 ECTS)
FC601: Electrochemistry of Fuel Cells
FC602: Fuel Cell Systems & Technologies
FC603: Hydrogen Production Technology
FC604: Hydrogen Storage
FC605: Fuel Cells in Transportation
FC606: Stationary & Mobile Fuel Cell Systems
FC607: Policies & Future R&D of Fuel Cell Technology
Third Trimester - Master's Thesis
Specialization Prerequisites
Introductory courses in material science, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, kinetics, and advanced mathematics.
Individual Modules
Modules are of 1-3 weeks duration and carry 2-6 ECTS credits; 3 hours of lectures in the morning plus a lab/project session for another 3 hours in the afternoon, five days of the week. Students complete individual or group project assignments for each module, take an exam following the completion of each module, and a final exam at the end of the trimester. Before the completion of the second trimester each student has to complete, submit and have approved a detailed thesis proposal. The thesis proposal needs to be written with the guidance of a faculty advisor and approved by the RES Academic Board.
FC601: Electrochemistry of Fuel Cells
Course Description: Course content includes the principles of electrochemistry, and thermodynamics, kinetics, and heat and charge transport as it relates to fuel cells. Mass transport, modeling, and characterization of single fuel cell; fuel cell types and physical/chemical/technical characteristics (SOFC, MCFC, PAFC, AFC, PEMFC, DMFC, ZAFC); cell and stack structures and stack technology. Fuel and air supply and thermodynamic efficiencies. Internal and external fuel reforming and fuels for FC. Influence of the various operational parameters on cell performance, dynamics and lifetime.
Course Duration: 3 weeks - ECTS Credits: 6
FC602: Fuel Cell Systems & Technologies
Course Description: Fuel cell systems and “balance of plant” components for thermal and water management; strategies for fuel cell stacking; fuel cell system applications; fuel processing, and power conditioning. Development of FC models with MATLAB. FC energy efficiency, energy reliability, costs, and quality of FC power.
Course Duration: 3 weeks - ECTS Credits: 6
FC603: Hydrogen Production Technology
Course Description: Course content includes electrolysis of water; advanced electrolysers; other sources of hydrogen; reforming systems (reforming of for example carbohydrates such as natural gas, biofuels, alcohols and various other gases). Hydrogen safety. Application of geothermal energy to hydrogen production. Purification techniques. System optimization. Some key results from Intelligent Energy Europe project RESFC regarding new approaches to electrolysis.
Course Duration: 2 weeks - ECTS Credits: 4
FC604: Hydrogen Storage
Course Description: Course content includes studies on compressed gaseous hydrogen (CGH2); liquid hydrogen (LH2); hydrogen stored as methanol (CH3OH) and other alcohols and carbohydrate fuels. Metal hydrides, complex hydrides and chemical bound storage. New materials and advanced technologies for the storage of hydrogen – light metal alloys; production of thin films in search of better hydrogen storage; use of nanotechnology and applied surface science research for hydrogen storage.
Course Duration: 2 weeks - ECTS Credits: 4
FC605: Fuel Cells in Transportation
Course Description: Course content includes study on hydrogen FC operated buses and cars; different FC technologies, including UTC Power FCs and Ballard FCs; cars with hydrogen internal combustion engines. Advances in battery technology and advanced electric cars; hybrid cars with flexible-fuel technology. Energy efficiency of hydrogen FC engines compared to conventional IC engines. Development of a hydrogen infrastructure for the transportation sector. FC and marine transportation - high-temperature FC technology; LH2 as stored fuel; reformer technology with methanol, LNG and diesel as fuel; dual fuel (hybrid) gas turbine propulsion systems in modern ship design.
Course Duration: 2 weeks - ECTS Credits: 4
FC606: Stationary & Mobile Fuel Cell Systems
Course Description: Course content includes commercialization of FC based energy technologies; industrial applications and potential; small-scale and portable FC systems; large stationary FC power generators; CHP applications; and FC system cost and maintenance compared to conventional systems. Some key results of the Intelligent Energy Europe project RESFC.
Course Duration: 2 weeks - ECTS Credits: 4
FC607: Policies & Future R&D of Fuel Cell Technology
Course Description: Course content includes discussion on Iceland’s transition to a hydrogen-based economy – technical, social, environmental and economic issues; cost-benefit analysis; public acceptance and safety; energy policies regarding FC within the EU; future research and development needs; demonstration projects; IPHE – International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy; “The Hydrogen Highway” projects in the U.S. and elsewhere, and other initiatives.
Course Duration: 1 week - ECTS Credits: 2