Fuel Cells
Certificate Course - Energy Engineering - EE.2.1.I26
| Date | Feb 22, 2027 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Location | On campus - Karlsruhe |
| Language | English |
| ECTS | Upon request |
| Cost | 990€ |
Course prerequisites
The following topics are helpful for understanding the lecture, but are not mandatory:
- Basic knowledge of Chemistry: Understanding of general chemistry principles, including chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and the behavior of gases and liquids.
- Fundamentals of Physics: A solid grasp of basic physics concepts, particularly in areas such as energy, electricity, and thermodynamics.
- Introductory course in Electrochemistry: Familiarity with electrochemical concepts such as redox reactions, electrodes, and electrochemical cells.
- Basic understanding of Thermodynamics: Knowledge of energy conversion processes, including concepts like enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy.
Fundamentals
Understand electrochemical energy conversion, its losses, and the working principles of electrolyzers and fuel cells.
Technology
Compare electrolyzer and fuel cell types, including AEC, PEMEC, SOEC, AFC, PEMFC, MCFC, and SOFC, with principles, advantages, and uses.
Applications
Explain fuel cell applications and compare them with combustion engines and batteries in efficiency, performance, and environmental impact.
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.
Taught by recognized experts in Fuel Cells
Benefit from the knowledge of leading specialists with extensive experience in research and industry. Their deep expertise guarantees a course of outstanding academic and practical quality.
Dr. Frieder Scheiba
Dr. Frieder Scheiba is a scientist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, serving as section head at the Institute for Applied Materials (IAM-ESS). His research focuses on carbon-based materials and electrochemical energy storage, including batteries and redox-flow systems. He is involved in multiple large-scale energy projects and has authored numerous publications on electrochemical materials and processes.
Who should attend
This course is particularly beneficial for professionals in the following fields
- Engineers and technical professionals in the energy sector
Electrical engineers, energy engineers, physicists, materials scientists, and professionals in semiconductor or solar technologies who develop, design, size, or optimize photovoltaic systems. - Planners and project managers for energy systems
Energy consultants, building services engineers (MEP planners), architects (with a focus on building integration), PV project managers, as well as professionals in energy supply companies and grid operator organizations. - Professionals in energy policy, sustainability, and business
Staff working in ministries, public authorities, international organizations, NGOs, corporate strategy, or investment departments who assess energy scenarios, decarbonization pathways, market mechanisms, and cost developments. - Researchers and early-career academics
PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and academic staff in the fields of renewable energy, semiconductor physics, materials science, or energy system modeling.
Advance your career with KIT-level expertise
Benefit from the reputation of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) while gaining practical skills, flexible learning opportunities, and a recognized certificate to support your long-term professional growth.
Flexibility
Gain focused expertise in a specific field without committing to a full degree program, allowing you to build relevant knowledge efficiently and integrate learning seamlessly into your professional routine.
Relevance
Benefit from high-quality academic content combined with practical insights, delivered by experienced experts, supporting continuous, lifelong learning while ensuring direct applicability in real-world scenarios.
Advancement
Enhance your professional profile with a recognized certificate, demonstrating your commitment to ongoing development and supporting your career with tangible, verifiable credentials.
About HECTOR School
HECTOR School, the Technology Business School of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), is a leading provider of executive education in technology-driven fields.
For this course, participants who successfully complete the examination can earn a KIT certificate with ECTS credits, which may be credited toward our Executive Master of Science or Advanced Studies Programs, subject to content alignment.