Prerequisites

Only IA-level physics is a prerequisite; those who have experience of solid-state physics will find some parts of the course more straightforward, but the material will be taught and examined such that no prior knowledge in this area is required.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment

This interdisciplinary course looks at the physical concepts and challenges concerning energy generation, storage and use. The course aims to develop knowledge of the basic physical principles governing renewable energy materials and devices such as photovoltanics and batteries.  We will explore how these devices function, how we can study them, what governs their working efficiency, what their efficiency limits are and what physical principals could lead to breakthroughs in the future.

For more information, visit the Course Website using the password MERE2019 to enrol.

Synopsis

Part 1 - Climate Change, Physics of global warming, Carbon and Energy Use; Exergy, Engines and the Carnot Cycle, Heating, Thermodynamics Limits; Wind, Tidal, Waves, Geothermal, Transmission

Part 2- The solar resource, balance of systems, solar thermal; Solar cells, effective models; Inorganic solar cells; Photosynthesis and organic solar cells; Shockley-Queisser Limit, Perovskites, Tandems cells.

Part 3 - Hydrogen, energy storage, Mechanisms for reversible storage in batteries, Secondary batteries – Li-ion and beyond, Fuels Cells and other forms of electrochemical energy storage

References

Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air, Mackay D J C (UIT Cambridge 2009)

The Physics of Solar Cells, Nelson J (Imperial 2003)

"Solar Energy: Fundamentals, Technology and Systems", Blankenship R E (Blackwell 2002)

Batteries, Colin Vincent and Bruno Scrosati, Arnold, 2^nd Edition (1997)