Fuel Cells

What you´ll explore

• Applications of Fuel Cells
• Comparison with combustion engine and batteries
• Fundamentals of electrochemical energy conversion
• Loss processes in electrochemical energy conversion, activation overpotential, ohmic overpotential, diffusion overpotential
• Working principle of an electrolyzer
• Overview over different electrolyzer types (AEC, PEMEC, SOEC)
• Working principle of a fuel cell
• Overview over different fuel cell types (AFC, PEMFC, MCFC, SOFC)

Your key takeaways

• Identify and categorize key applications of fuel cells across various industries, recognizing their potential roles in transportation, stationary power generation, and portable devices.
• Critically compare the performance, efficiency, and environmental impact of fuel cells with combustion engines and batteries, demonstrating an understanding of their respective advantages and limitations.
• Articulate the principles of electrochemical energy conversion, explaining how chemical energy is transformed into electrical energy in fuel cells and electrolyzers.
• Describe the different loss mechanisms in electrochemical energy conversion, including activation overpotential, ohmic overpotential, and diffusion overpotential, and explain how these losses affect the overall efficiency of the systems.
• Explain the fundamental working principle of an electrolyzer, detailing the process of water splitting and the production of hydrogen.
• Differentiate between various electrolyzer types (AEC, PEMEC, SOEC) by describing their specific operational mechanisms, materials used, and typical applications.
• llustrate the working principle of a fuel cell, clearly outlining the electrochemical reactions involved in generating electricity from fuels like hydrogen.
• Distinguish between different types of fuel cells (AFC, PEMFC, MCFC, SOFC) by explaining their unique characteristics, including their operational temperatures, electrolyte materials, and typical uses.
• Apply knowledge of fuel cell and electrolyzer technologies to real-world scenarios, evaluating their potential for integration into current and future energy systems.

Who should attend

This certificate course is designed for professionals seeking a structured introduction to carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a key building block of industrial decarbonization and climate-neutral energy systems.

• Engineers and technical professionals in the energy, chemical, process, and manufacturing industries who are involved in or preparing for CCS-related projects, low‑carbon processes, or industrial decarbonization
• Energy and sustainability consultants, planners, and project managers working on Net-Zero strategies, decarbonization roadmaps, and the evaluation or implementation of CCS options
• Professionals in utilities, oil and gas, cement, steel, and other CO₂‑intensive sectors seeking to understand CCS technologies, value chains, and their integration into existing infrastructures
• Experts in energy policy, regulation, and public administration who need a solid technical and economic understanding of CCS to design frameworks and incentives for large-scale deployment
• Researchers and academics aiming to deepen their knowledge of CO₂ capture processes, transport and storage concepts, lifecycle assessment, and the role of CCS in climate mitigation scenarios
• Professionals who want a coherent overview from the fundamentals of CCS technologies to practical applications, project development, and the assessment of opportunities and challenges in real-world contexts