Hydrogen System Design and Practice

Overview

This module explores the drivers behind the emerging hydrogen economy including challenges and opportunities, which will be used as the rationale and context for a hydrogen power system design project. In addition, the module will also investigate what must be achieved by lower TRL systems to further develop towards operational status. This module comprises lectures covering the following:

* Introduction to the hydrogen economy
* Drivers for hydrogen energy (including international treaties and national policies)
* Opportunities and challenges in hydrogen energy; the transport sector and buildings
* Opportunities and challenges in hydrogen energy; smart grids and energy distribution

This module further involves a significant design project element which will be supported by a series of workshops and tutorials. Students will be divided into small groups (based on final admission numbers) for carrying out design projects for a hydrogen power system. Students will be given a design brief and overview of the project which will allow them to utilise the knowledge and content covered throughout the course. Students will be asked to deliver an elevator ‘Dragons' Den’ style pitch to a panel of staff with the aim of promoting and selling their hydrogen system.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the module students will be able to:
• Describe the hydrogen economy and discuss the key drivers behind its emergence
• Provide an overview and discuss relevant international treaties and national policies currently in place for hydrogen energy
• Describe the role and relationship that policy development has with technology design and innovation
• Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of ongoing opportunities and challenges associated with hydrogen energy in transport, buildings and smart grid and distribution
• Discuss and apply the importance of assessing and critically evaluating hydrogen energy systems at different TRLs and describe what must be achieved for further advancement
• Outline key parameters on a technology roadmap to determine feasibility for deployment and wider applications
• Conduct and manage a design project for the development of a hydrogen energy system which incorporates the learning and knowledge delivered throughout the course
• Apply knowledge of operating a hydrogen energy system (e.g. fuel cells) and evaluate the key parameters which influence performance and scale up
• Assess and evaluate the key parameters associated with the design of a hydrogen system at a relevant TRL level and present those findings in a scientific report
• Deliver an elevator pitch based on the findings of project work highlighting innovation and basic entrepreneurship

Skills

Skills Associated with Module:
 Core skills in underlying physical sciences, in particular physics and chemistry as applied to solving problems relevant to energy systems
 Critical evaluation and systems thinking
 Project design and management
 Analytical skills
 Entrepreneurship
 Communication and reporting writing skills

Assessment

Assessment: Coursework 100%

Course Requirements:
Coursework submission 100 %
Total coursework elements must be passed at 50%.

Assessment Profile
Element type Element weight (%)
1. Workshop problems 40
2. Design project + Presentation 60