Electrochemical Energy Conversion (2024)

Organiser: Associate Professor Torsten Berning, tbe@energy.aau.dk, AAU Energy

Lecturers: Associate Professor Torsten Berning, Associate Professor Vincenzo Liso, Associate Professor Samuel Araya, Associate Professor Søren Højgaard Jensen from AAU Energy

ECTS: 4

Date/Time: 27. August – 30. August 2024

Deadline: 06 August 2024

Place: AAU Energy, Pontoppidanstraede 101, Aalborg, Denmark

Format: in person

Max no. of participants: 25

We will cover the fundamentals of electrochemical energy conversion with a focus on proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology and PEM, alkaline, and solid oxide electrolyzer technology. The course is a mix of theoretical classes and laboratory exercises.

This PhD course is an introduction to electrochemical energy conversion with a focus on fuel cell technology (gas to power) and electrolyzer technology (power to gas). In detail, it will provide

  •        An introduction to the thermodynamics of electrochemical energy conversion;
  •        An overview of the different types of fuel cells and elecytrolyzers and their materials;
  •        An introduction of the different ways of modeling of electrochemical devices and systems;
  •        A familiarity with the different experimental methods to test and characterize electrochemical energy converters;

As the conclusion of the course, an attendee will be well prepared to understand and follow more sophisticated state-of-the-art literature in this field, to be able to understand simple (zerodimensional) models of fuel cell systems using software such as EES and know the benefits and drawbacks of advanced (multi-dimensional) models of the fluid flow in electrochemical devices that employ the methods of computational fluid dynamics. The attendee will also have an overview of the various experimental methods that can be employed to test electrochemical devices. This PhD course is aimed at recent graduates, professional engineers and the likes.

  • Day 1: Thermodynamics of electro-chemical energy conversion, Different types of fuel cells and water electrolyzers.
  • Day 2: Fuel cell and electrolyzer components, fuel cell and electrolyzer modeling
  • Day 3: Experimental methods in theory and practice: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, hot wire anemometry, Cyclic Voltammetry, Neutron Radiography
  • Day 4: Industrial perspectives: Current and future challenges. A visit by or from a local fuel cell manufacturer

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge in thermodynamics and modeling methods such as Engineering Equation Solver (EES) and/or the methods of computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Price:  6000 DKK for PhD students outside of Denmark and 8000 DKK for the Industry excl. VAT.
A link for online payment by credit card for externals participants will be annonced after deadline for registration

Find more information about the course at phdcourse.dk (more details and course litterature)

Important information concerning PhD courses: We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 3000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registrations.