Course content

Solar radiation. Semiconductors. Electric power from solar cells, principles of operation, characteristics. Power losses and efficiency. Sizing and construction of solar-cell systems. Production and storage of hydrogen. Water electrolysis. Electrical energy from fuel cells. Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations for electrolysis- and fuel cells. Safety in hydrogen handling. Storage of electrical energy in batteries. Applications of solar cells, hydrogen and fuel cells in stationary and mobile systems. Economical and energy analyses for the introduction of energy systems based on renewable energy resources and hydrogen.

Learning outcome

The student will after course completion be able to describe the principles of solar cells based on pn-junctions, galvanic cells, and electrolysis cells, define efficiencies and relate these to fundamental physical quantities (for solar cells their band gaps and the solar spectrum, for fuel cells thermodynamic quantities free energy, enthalpy, entropy). She will be able to point out the central parts of the solar cell or the fuel cell/battery and explain their functions. He will be able to describe the the physical implementation of the components and account for typical material choices made in state-of-the-art cells. The student will be able to describe the following fuel cells and account for the advantages and drawbacks: PEMFC, and SOFC. The student will be able to account for the most central principles of hydrogen production and storage. The student will have knowledge about the most common secondary batteries: Lead-acid, Li-ion and Ni metal hydride. The student is able to perform quantitative (analytical) calculations associated with the concepts above, including calculations of efficiency in the presence of ohmic losses and overpotentials for fuel cells and batteries, and simple calculations associated with solar cell characteristics. In addition the student will be able to calculate solar radiation on a tilted solar cell panel facing south, at a given time of the year and position, given the solar irradiation at a horizontal panel at the same time and position. The student will also be able to use a simple laboratory setup for water electrolysis and a fuel cell. The student will be able to account for the general principles of well-to-wheel analyses, and perform simple calculations associated with this.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, problem sets and laboratory experiments. 50% of the problem sets and the laboratory assignment have to be approved before examination. If the teaching is given in English the Examination papers can be given in English only. Students are free to choose Norwegian or English for written assessments. Lectures, exercises and laboratory experience with compulsory report delivery. Expected time: Lectures:60 hours; Laboratory and report writing:10 hours; Exercises:30 hours. Self study:100 hours.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge in general chemistry and chemical thermodynamics

Required previous knowledge

At least one introductory course in general chemistry at university level

Some basics of thermodynamics

Some basics of materials science

Course materials

(a) "Solar Electricity", ed. by Tomas Markvart, 2.ed., Wiley (2000), ISBN-0-471-98852-9 (ppc) eller ISBN-0-471-98853-7 (paper back). (b) Millet and Grigoriev, chapter 2, "Water Electrolysis Technologies, in "Renewable Hydrogen Technologies", ed. by Luis M. Gandia, Gurutze Arzamendi and Pedro M. Dieguez (2013). (c) AL Dicks and DAJ Rand "Fuel Cell Systems Explained", selected chapters (d) Written exercises, laboratory exercises and other distributed materials are also required reading list for exam.

Credit reductions