SEB201 Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | SEB201 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CVB101 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $6,216 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | SEB201 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CVB101 |
Overview
When it comes to storing electrical energy, there are a wide range of modes of storage, and a similarly wide range of scales of storage. This unit will provide an in-depth understanding of how various energy storage types can be customized to power different applications and devices. Upon completing this unit, you will become familiar with the principles of power and voltage requirements for storage systems within their application context, as well as how these can be regulated by storage management systems. Additionally, you will be introduced to alternative technologies beyond traditional battery cells, including supercapacitors, fuel cells, and redox flow cells. The unit will also cover standard electrochemical testing protocols and computational methods for analysing EES systems.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Develop a general understanding of various electrochemical energy storage systems (EES), basic principles and standard testing protocols.
- Demonstrate knowledge of types of scaling electrochemical storage technologies and critically evaluate their performance and limitations.
- Apply your understanding of cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to the testing and characterization of EES devices.
- Use critical thinking to evaluate the challenges associated with different commercial electrode materials and electrolytes and apply trouble shooting methods to determine the common sources of problems in commercial lithiumion batteries.
- Evaluate and communicate laboratory results in a scientifically critical and industrially relevant manner
Content
The battery industry is currently valued at over $100B annually and is projected to increase by around a factor of 4 through to the end of this decade. Stability in the industry requires robust energy storage systems that rely on strong supply chains of critical minerals across multiple industries including mining, chemical manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, and recycling.
The content of this unit will be organised into three main modules
I. Electrochemical storage systems: In this section, you will learn the strengths and understand the challenges of current electrochemical storage systems. You will also learn about standard reduction potentials, electrochemical equivalent of electrode materials at standard conditions, and various electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic and potentiostatic techniques.
II. Alternative energy systems: While traditional electrochemical cells have a long history of safe performance and reliability, as we endeavour to transform the sustainable energy landscape advanced energy systems such as fuel cells, supercapacitors, batteries (aqueous and non-aqueous chemistries) and redox flow cells have emerged. In this part of the unit, you will learn what differentiates each type of energy storage system and evaluate their suitability for different applications.
III. Analytical tools and computational Models: Understanding the mechanistic properties of materials is critical to further improve the performance of EES. The unit will introduce advanced (in situ) characterization techniques and computational methods to analyse materials and how this impacts on device performance.
Learning Approaches
This unit engages you in your learning through a complementary set of lectures, workshops and practical laboratory exercises. You can expect to commit on average between 10-15 hours per week to the study of this unit including online preparation, attending scheduled labs, workshops, undertaking assessment and independent learning.
Specifically, this unit will consist of:
Lectures: 13 x 2 hours of lectures per week will be delivered with a focus on working through real world examples and problems as a class.
Workshops: 4 x 2-hour workshops will be delivered where you will work in small groups to solve industry relevant problems
Practicals: 6 x 2 hour labs will be delivered to develop your skills in recording, analysing and communicating experimental observations and data.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
There will be extensive opportunity to assess your progress in the unit. By attendance and participation in the practical and workshop program, you will be able to assess your understanding of the lecture material. The informal nature of the practicals and workshops allows you to have ono-to-one feedback from the demonstrator. All staff in the unit will be available for individual or small group consultation.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment in this unit comprises both formative and summative elements. Formative assessment will take the form of provision of practice problems and data sets with worked solutions, regular feedback on your practical workbook and interactive discussions with your laboratory demonstrators and tutors. Summative assessment will be achieved by a annotated bibliography as well as a practical workbook.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
To demonstrate your understanding of electrochemical storage systems, and the key differences between modern technology.
AI should not be used for this task.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Workbook
This workbook is a compilation of your laboratory practical exercises and data analysis.
The format of this workbook will be consistent with those in line with industry standards.
GenAI should not be used for this task.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Poster
You will present a poster focussing how modern development in battery systems, and the current challenges that still need to be addressed in this rapidly evolving field.
GenAI should not be used for this task.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Safety and protective equipment
A lab coat and safety glasses will be required for this unit.
Risk Assessment Statement
The professional practice of Chemistry and Physics requires the safe handling of Hazardous Substances. A practical laboratory program is an important part of this unit, so you will be required to handle such substances. The chemicals and procedures used in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will undertake compulsory formal pre-laboratory assessment in Health and Safety matters relevant to the laboratory and QUT buildings in general. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this advice, it is your responsibility to comply with all instructions, for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.