Energy Storage
| Module title | Energy Storage |
|---|---|
| Module code | ENS3020 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
Energy storage is a rapidly advancing field, driven by the urgent need to decarbonize energy systems through the integration of renewable energy sources. This module offers an in-depth exploration of key energy storage technologies. You will study various systems, including mechanical energy storage (such as pumped hydro and compressed air), different types of batteries (including lithium-ion, redox flow, and lead-acid), and hydrogen energy, encompassing hydrogen production, storage, fuel cells, and the broader hydrogen economy. The module emphasizes cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and sustainability. Through case studies, you will evaluate technological advancements and perform basic design calculations, equipping you with the skills needed to contribute to this dynamic field.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of energy systems, emphasising the critical role of various energy storage technologies, including mechanical, electrochemical, and hydrogen-based systems. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge, research-enriched learning, and practical hands-on experience — such as hydrogen production and fuel cell lab practice — students will develop the skills needed to design, optimise, and evaluate energy storage solutions. The module also connects academic learning to real-world industry practices, preparing students for future careers in the energy sector and equipping them to address emerging challenges in sustainable energy.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand and explain core energy storage principles, including energy density, power density, efficiency, and system life cycle.
- 2. Analyse and critically evaluate energy storage technologies, such as mechanical systems, electrochemical batteries, thermal storage, and hydrogen-based solutions, assessing their applications and limitations.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Apply core chemical engineering concepts to the design, optimization, and integration of energy storage systems within broader energy networks.
- 4. Perform hands-on laboratory experiments involving hydrogen production, fuel cells, and analyse data to understand system performance and efficiency.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Solve complex problems and think critically about technological advancements and challenges within the energy storage sector.
- 6. Demonstrate effective communication of technical information through reports, presentations, and teamwork, and apply these skills in professional and industry-relevant contexts.
Syllabus plan
- Introduction to Energy Systems and the Role of Energy Storage: Overview of energy systems, global energy challenges, and the critical role of energy storage in enhancing system efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
- Fundamental Principles of Energy Storage: Exploration of core concepts such as energy density, power density, efficiency, and life cycle, and how these principles apply to different storage technologies.
- Energy Storage Technologies: Examination of various energy storage methods, including mechanical (e.g., pumped hydro, heat pump), electrochemical (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors), thermal, and hydrogen-based systems.
- Electrochemical Energy Storage: In-depth analysis of battery technologies, focusing on their working principles, design, applications, and recent advancements.
- Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage Systems: Study of hydrogen production, storage methods, and fuel cells, along with their applications and potential in the energy sector.
- Practical Skills and Hands-On Experience: Laboratory sessions on hydrogen production, fuel cell operation, and battery testing, complemented by data analysis and system design exercises.
- Environmental and Economic Considerations: Evaluation of the environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of various energy storage technologies.
- Integration with Renewable Energy and Grid Systems: Discussion of how energy storage supports the integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid, including grid-scale applications.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 15 | Lectures (15 × 1h) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 5 | Tutorials (5 × 1h) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 2 | Laboratory session (1 × 2h) |
| Guided Independent Study | 98 | Consolidation, solving problem sheets |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Preparing the Lab session, writing the report |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 60 | 2.5 hours | 1-3, 5 | Written |
| Lab report | 40 | 3000 words | 3-6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | Exam (2.5 hours, 70%) | 1-3, 5 | Referral/deferral period |
| Lab report | Lab report (3000 words, 30%) | 3-6 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
If the student has been referred/deferred for the exam, they will sit another exam in the Ref/Def period. If the student has been referred/deferred for the lab report, they will be able to resubmit as early as possible. Where assessments for part of the module are referred, the whole module must be capped at 40%. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped.
Where a student fails part of the assessment on the module, but passes the module as a whole, the module will be deemed to have been passed and referral will not be applicable. If the student fails the module overall, they can choose to retain marks of completed module assessment components with a passing mark (>40%). Alternatively, they can all chose to complete re-assessments for all module assessment components.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- 2013 DOE/EPRI Electricity Storage Handbook, Energy Storage System Program, US Department of Energy.
- European Energy Storage Technology Development Roadmap towards 2030.
- Thermal energy storage: materials, devices, systems and applications, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 2021.
- R.-S. Liu, Electrochemical technologies for energy storage and conversion ; Volume 1, Weinheim : Wiley-VCH2012.
- G. Pistoia, B. Liaw, Behaviour of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Electric Vehicles, Springer2018.
- B. Sørensen, G. Spazzafumo, Hydrogen and fuel cells: emerging technologies and applications, Third edition ed., Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier, London, 2018.\
- W. Vielstich, Handbook of fuel cells: fundamentals technology and applications, Wiley, Chichester, 2003.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 08/07/2025 |
| Last revision date | 08/07/2025 |
