This certificate course is suited for everyone with an interest to learn more about renewable energies and a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering. In 3 modules, the students learn about the fundamentals of renewable energies, the different sources, their materials and energy storage. The course is taught online using Moodle.

Master‘s programme

This course will be part of the upcoming Online Master's programme „Renewable Energy, Climate Change and Environmental Protection for M.Sc“. Credit points (ECTS) acquired of this course as well as of the International Summer University of Environmental Sciences (ISU) (https://www.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/sommerkurse/en/detail/5064/) will be recognized. Contact us for further information!

MODULE 1: RENEWABLE ENERGY: MATERIALS, COMPONENTS, FUNCTION

This class provides basic knowledge of renewable energy conversion for different components. Starting out with general energy statistics and fundamental knowledge, e.g. definitions, the student gains chemical and physical knowledge of the working principles for the different components including technical limits and economic importance of several systems.

Module content:

• Statistics in energy consumption
• Types of energy resources
• Terms and definitions
• Conversion (devices and materials thereof, processes): photovoltaics; solar thermal; wind, water and planetary energy; fuel cells; geothermal; biomass, solar chemistry
• Dimensioning examples

Responsible lecturer: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Michael Scheffler

MODULE 2: RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

The student will learn about energy conversion processes of different types of renewable energy sources, the regulatory framework and the challenges of grid integration. Thereby, the focus will be on wind energy, photovoltaic systems, biomass and fuel cells. Grid integration includes possibilities and limitations of energy storage as well.

Module content:

• Introduction to renewable sources
• Legal framework, priority and subsidies
• Functionality of energy conversion
• Introduction to fuel cells
• Introduction to energy storage

Responsible lecturer: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Martin Wolter

MODULE 3: MATERIALS FOR ENERGY STORAGE

This course contains important technical application and factors for the growing energy demand in Germany and worldwide and also discusses recent developments in research. The student learns about the different approaches for energy storage including thermal, electrical, chemical and mechanical energy storage.

Module content:

• Thermal energy storage
• Electrical energy storage
• Chemical energy storage
• Compressed air
• Flywheel energy storage
• Other storage media e.g. hydroelectric energy storage

Responsible lecturer: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Franziska Scheffler

The teaching language is English. Every student must be able to document a B2 English level.