Evaluation of battery, thermal, and mechanical storage technologies for renewable energy integration.
About this course
Energy storage is the key to unlocking the full potential of renewable energy. In PROC 5880, you will explore the latest technologies that store energy for later use, ensuring a stable power supply even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing. You will look at electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical methods, comparing their efficiency, cost, and suitability for different scales of operation.
The course covers a wide range of storage solutions, from common lithium-ion batteries to emerging technologies like solid-state batteries and flow batteries. You will also examine thermal storage systems used in concentrated solar power plants and mechanical systems like compressed air energy storage. Through case studies and a final design project, you will learn how to select and integrate the right storage technology for a specific renewable energy scenario.
Who takes this course
This course is part of the Renewable Energy Systems program.
Credits: 3 · Hours: 45
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
- Compare lithium-ion, flow, and solid-state battery chemistries for grid-scale applications.
- Evaluate thermal storage systems such as molten salt and phase-change materials.
- Assess mechanical storage options including pumped hydro and compressed air energy storage.
- Analyze the economic viability and levelized cost of different storage technologies.
- Design a hybrid storage solution to address intermittency in renewable energy systems.
- Review safety protocols and environmental impacts associated with large-scale storage deployment.
Evaluation
| Component | Weight (%) |
| Mid-term examination | 30 |
| Storage technology case study report | 25 |
| Final design project | 35 |
| Class participation and quizzes | 10 |