Principles of Photovoltaics, Fuel Cells and Batteries

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Process solar energy data for photovoltaic applications
• Access the literature on fuel cells and write reports on their development
• Design a photovoltaic system
• Appreciate an industrial perspective of technology development

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Tackle simple problems of theoretical energy conversion
• Relate cell current to materials conversion rates
• Suggest an appropriate fuel cell or battery technology for a particular application
• Assess the operation and manufacture of a solar cell
• Identify and size a photovoltaic system for a given application
• Describe the fundamentals of photovoltaic energy conversion
• Analyse solar radiation in energy terms

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Solar radiation as an energy source
• The relative merits of batteries, fuel cells and redox flow cells
• Solar cell operation and manufacture
• Design and operation of a photovoltaic system
• Electrochemical routes to energy conversion

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Listening, identifying learning needs, evaluating sources and data, interpretation of data, problem solving, problem analysis
• Apply understanding to the fuel cells and photovoltaic energy generation systems into industry

Fuel cells and energy storage systems (lectures + Revision):

• An Introduction to Electrochemical Energy Conversion.

Electrochemical vs. conventional energy conversion routes. Types of electrochemical cells for energy conversion (galvanic and electrolytic). Definitions of batteries, fuel cells, redox flow cells, solar cells, etc. Examples of electrochemical technology in energy conversion: applications. Energy conversion related to materials conversion.

• Fuel Cells.

Principle of a fuel cell and types of fuel cell. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. PEM cell components and their characteristics. The membrane electrode assembly. Characterisation of performance. Voltage losses and their management.

• Batteries and Redox Flow Cells:

Principles of batteries. Types of cell. Application areas. Principle of

a redox flow cell. Examples of redox couples. Power and energy characteristics. Load levelling and integrated energy applications. Characterisation of performance. Voltage losses and their

management

Photovoltaic systems (Lectures + Revision):

• Solar energy technologies: a general overview:

Solar radiation as an energy source. Black body radiation; the solar constant. Solar spectra: the concept of air mass. Scattering and absorption.

• Solar cells: Band theory of semiconductors. Junctions; Shockley diode & solar cell equations. Crystalline, thin film and organic solar cells; manufacturing technologies. Ideal efficiencies. Solar cell modelling.
• Photovoltaic systems. Introduction; overview of subsystems. Sizing of generator; determination of battery size using observed data.

The teaching methods employed in the delivery of this module include:

• Lectures
• Solutions to assigned problems
• Revision tutorials
• Demonstrations and video material when appropriate
• A web site with access to in-depth materials

The learning activities include:

• Individual reading of background material and course texts, plus work on examples.
• Example sheets and worked solutions.
• Assignment and self-study
• Problem solving during lectures
• Individual work on a case study/mini-project

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Assignment

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Assignment

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Assignment

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.