Batteries for the Energy Transition: Exploring the Sustainable Value Chain
Discover how batteries function, how they are produced, and what happens at the end of their life cycle.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
4 hours
Batteries for the Energy Transition: Exploring the Sustainable Value Chain
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Learn how batteries work and explore their role in developing renewable energies
The energy transition is gaining momentum worldwide and batteries play a key role in its implementation.
On this four-week course from EIT RawMaterials, you’ll explore the fundamental principles of batteries, how they are produced, and the critical role they play in the move towards renewable energy.
Discover the battery life cycle and why they are so important
Battery technology has become commonplace. Batteries are used in applications ranging from cell phones to electric vehicles. But have you ever wondered what makes batteries so important?
This course will help you understand the fundamental principles of how batteries function, how they are produced, and what happens at the end of their life cycle.
Explore the sustainability issues (and solutions) of batteries
Demand for batteries is growing rapidly as they are needed for everything from mobile phones to electric vehicles.
You’ll hear from recognised educators from six European universities and research institutes as they share their knowledge concerning every step of the battery value chain, considering sustainability at every stage.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to battery technology
Welcome to batteries for the energy transition
Welcome to Batteries for the energy transition, where we will explore the sustainable value chain and discover the latest developments in the world of batteries, from raw materials to manufacturing and recycling.
Can we stop using fossil fuels?
This activity explores why we want to reduce our use of fossil fuels. It looks at the factors driving this change and the need to develop new ways of storing and converting energy to make this possible.
Why are lithium-ion batteries impactful?
This activity looks at the expansion of battery use over recent years and explores the position of Lithium-ion in this increased demand.
Week 1 summary
This activity consolidates this week's learning as you reflect on the topics discussed and test your understanding before progressing to Week 2.
Week 2
Understanding battery technology
Electricity from chemical energy
This activity lays the basis for understanding electrochemical phenomena which occur in batteries.
Operation of a battery
In this activity, you are going to explore how materials are chosen to design a battery.
Energy and power of battery technologies
In this activity, we are going to look at the development of various classes of battery technologies, as well as the fundamental terms used to describe the performance of batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and beyond
This activity explores how lithium-ion batteries work and are manufactured. You are also going to look at the sustainable development of next-generation batteries as well as the working principles of lithium-ion batteries.
Week 2 summary
This activity consolidates this week's learning as you reflect on the topics discussed and test your understanding before progressing to Week 3.
Week 3
Battery materials and sustainability
Active electrode materials for batteries
In this activity, we are going to look at the materials used for a positive electrode (a cathode) and a negative electrode (an anode).
Electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)
Having previously seen that batteries include electrodes and electrolytes, in this activity, we will look at the materials used for electrolytes.
Introduction to recycling and sustainability in the value chain
In this activity, we are going to look at basic sustainable development ideas and value chains, as well as the basics of recycling and the circular economy. We will also explore the progress made in recycling.
Week 3 summary
This activity consolidates this week's learning as you reflect on the topics discussed and test your understanding before progressing to Week 4.
Week 4
Recycling and sustainability in the battery value materials
Sustainability in the battery value chain
In this activity, we are going to look at the European Union's legal requirements for a battery value chain.
Circular economy of batteries
This activity explores the circular economy of batteries and asks you to consider the level of CE implementation in your country.
Reporting of sustainability by batteries recyclers and producers
In this activity, we are going to explore why sustainability should be considered and why it's worth putting into practice.
Recycling of batteries
In this activity, we are going to look at the industrial recycling of LIBs.
Week 4 summary
This activity consolidates this week's learning as you reflect on the topics discussed and asses your understanding before completing your final test and finishing this course.
Course summary
Now is time to summarize the contents of the course, thank you for your interest and wish you good luck in the future. We hope you get great benefit of your new knowledge about batteries.
When would you like to start?
Date to be announced
Add to Wishlist to be emailed when new dates are announced
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- identify the basic components of a battery
- describe how batteries work
- discuss current challenges facing the production and application of batteries.
- engage discussions concerning sustainability in the battery value chain
- explore more knowledge about the technologies.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning about the intricacies of batteries, how they work, and how they can be used for a more sustainable future.
Who will you learn with?
I am Associate Professor in Inorganic Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” of the University of Bologna and I am studying batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells.
Hi! My name is Habtom, a materials chemist specializing in electrochemical energy storage in batteries and supercapacitors. I am currently a researcher at Uppsala University.
I am Professor of Materials Chemistry at Uppsala University, and have plenty of experience of battery research.
I am associate prof. - Head and founder of Division of Strategic Research at MEERI Polish Academy of Sciences.
I am Ulla Lassi, professor at the University of Oulu, Finland. My core competence is the preparation of cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries from primary and secondary resources.
I am full professor of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry at the University of Milan Bicocca, Department of Materials Science, where I have been working since 2007 teaching and doing research.
Who developed the course?
EIT RawMaterials
Initiated and funded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the European Union, EIT RawMaterials is the largest European raw materials partnership.
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- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
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- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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