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Fuel Cells

School of Energy

Hydrogen, fuel cells and electrochemical energy conversion

Fuel cells convert the chemical energy of a fuel — commonly hydrogen — into electricity and heat with high efficiency and low local emissions. This track builds a clear path from electrochemistry and cell architectures through stacks, balance-of-plant thinking, hydrogen production and storage linkages, and real-world application domains.

You will place fuel cells in the wider renewable energy future: as a storage and mobility pathway alongside batteries, as a clean power option for stationary uses, and as a technology that benefits from careful materials, characterisation and system-integration awareness.

What you will learn

  • Fuel cell operating principles and efficiency concepts
  • Major types (e.g. PEM, SOFC and related families) and where each fits
  • MEA, GDL, bipolar plates and stack architecture awareness
  • Hydrogen as energy carrier: production, storage and safety mindset
  • Characterisation and performance evaluation concepts
  • Stationary, mobility and portable application patterns
  • Coupling fuel cells with renewables and hybrid energy systems
  • Thermal management and balance-of-plant considerations
  • Education kits and lab-oriented learning pathways
  • Emerging trends: green hydrogen, offtake markets and system scale-up

Curriculum modules

  • 1. Electrochemistry & fuel cell fundamentals

    How a fuel cell differs from a battery; half-reactions, polarisation, efficiency and the design trade-offs that shape power density, durability and cost.

  • 2. Cell types & materials

    PEM, SOFC and related technologies; membrane-electrode assemblies, gas diffusion layers, catalysts and structural components — oriented to understanding, not vendor lock-in.

  • 3. Stacks, systems & thermal management

    From single cells to stacks; manifolding, sealing, humidification, cooling and electrical integration; how system packaging affects usable performance.

  • 4. Hydrogen pathways

    Hydrogen production routes (including renewable-linked electrolysis), storage options, transport concepts and the role of hydrogen as long-duration storage for renewable electricity systems.

  • 5. Applications & project framing

    Mobility, backup power, distributed generation and industrial offtake patterns; feasibility thinking, safety culture and how fuel-cell projects are scoped alongside solar, wind and battery storage.

  • 6. Characterisation, education kits & futures

    Performance testing concepts, education-oriented stack and kit pathways, and emerging innovations that connect fuel cells to AI-assisted O&M, hybrid microgrids and net-zero industrial strategies.

Skills you build

  • Fuel cell & hydrogen technology literacy
  • Stack / system architecture awareness
  • Thermal and electrical integration mindset
  • Application and feasibility framing
  • Links to renewable storage and mobility pathways

Who this is for

  • Engineering learners focusing on clean energy conversion
  • Professionals exploring hydrogen and fuel-cell careers
  • Teams pairing fuel cells with solar / wind / storage projects
  • Learners who want depth beyond a general renewables survey

Enquire about Fuel Cells

Ready to start this energy track?

Enquire with RIA for batch schedules, mentoring pathways and project support.

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