SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION - 2025/6

Module Overview

In this module, students will gain a general understanding of sustainable energy storage and distribution systems by reviewing the most common types of renewable energy vectors and modern energy conversion and transformation technologies.

The energy security concerns, in principle, and the uncertainties associated with the natural fluctuation of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, etc.) limit their large-scale applications in serving the global energy demand.

This module aims to address these concerns by studying in-depth the principles of operation, characteristics, and challenges with a range of sustainable energy storage technologies, including the mechanical energy storage system, green hydrogen and hydrocarbon storage, various types of batteries (lithium-ion, redox-flow cell, lead acid battery), supercapacitors, thermal energy storage, along with the modern micro-grid and power-grid distribution systems.

Gaining knowledge in various sustainable energy storage technologies applied in the net-zero emission plan, this module aims to develop students' engineering knowledge and competence in sustainability, digital capabilities, and employability. The module expands the skills obtained in the foundation module “Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems” and is closely related to the other core modules of this programme, particularly Smart Energy Systems, Economics and Policy of Sustainable Energy, and Group Project.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

AMINI HORRI Bahman (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Overview of energy storage technologies

• Introduction to sustainable energy generation and storage systems (renewables, batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen, mechanical, chemical, and thermal storage)


• The thermodynamic principle and operation of fuel cells and electrolysers


• Hydrogen economy: production, storage, and environmental concerns

• Fundamentals of Electrochemical Energy Storage and Power Sources


• Batteries Technology and Engineering: lithium-ion, flow-cell, lead-acid, etc.; characterisation, performance, and applications of batteries for renewable energies


• Supercapacitors Technology and Applications: Fundamentals of electric capacitors; dielectric polarisation mechanisms and materials; supercapacitor design, fabrication, and operation; coupling with batteries and fuel cells)

• Battery monitoring, management, and standard testing protocols


• Battery stack design for automotive applications: High voltage battery packs, thermal management, functionality of smart battery management system

• Introduction to nuclear energy: major type of reactor, irradiated fuels, fissile and fertile materials, reactor control and operation, thermal waste energy management and conversion, and energy storage capabilities

• Fundamental of power transmission: AC/DC power transmissions and conversion technologies; Bipolar DC and UHDC power transmission.


• Electrical Power distribution: Forms, voltages and technologies of the local power distribution system; methods of protection; Electrical safety.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Where an individual fails the group project an equivalent individual project covering the same learning outcomes will be provided.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to:

• Team working, professional writing skills, sizing sustainable energy systems, individual in-depth learning skills, and collaboration skills in a group project


• Individual knowledge, design problems, system efficiency calculations, and sustainable energy storage problem-solving skills.

• Essay – 3,000-word report on a selected topic of sustainable energy storage system – Group Project (LOs  1, 2, 3, 4)             


• Examination –    (LOs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)

• Formative verbal feedback is given during in-class problem-solving and discussion sessions.


• Formative feedback on coursework is given verbally and available on SurreyLearn to provide feedback on understanding of the electrochemical energy systems and respective problem formulation and solution.

Module aims

• To develop a basic understanding of the theory and practice of renewable energy vectors and modern energy conversion technologies.
• To introduce the key concepts, principles and operation parameters, and design consideration of energy storage and distribution technologies.
• To provide an overview of the common electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems for automotive applications and their efficiency analysis as power storage and generation technology.
• To develop students' knowledge to apply the basic design equations for various mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical energy storage systems while figuring out the overall performance and efficiency of the energy systems.
• To provide the advanced knowledge and practical skills required for a professional career in the sustainable energy industry, especially the research and development centres focusing on advanced alternative energy technologies.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

This learning and teaching approach of this module is based on exposing students to the various types of modern energy storage systems. Students' knowledge and understanding of sustainable energy storage's operating principle and governing equations will gradually improve as they move over various energy systems covered in this module. Students' problem-solving skills will also be enhanced and supported by a range of formative in-class quizzes and worked-examples. Engaging in a group project by writing a 3000-word essay on a selected topic on sustainable energy storage system design, students' critical thinking and design calculation would be encouraged and improved.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Combination of lectures and tutorials and seminar-based activities.


• Captured Content.


• Guided Learning.


• Independent Study Hours.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM313

Other information

The school/department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering / MSc Sustainable Energy Systems is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital capabilities: Some aspects of digital tools, including numeric calculations, trial & and error calculations, graphical approaches, etc., are applied in this module, which helps students to engage with the digital platforms and improve their skillset in this area.

Employability: This module develops students' skillsets and knowledge in designing the complex systems applied commonly in developing clean energy sources and storage systems. With a comprehensive understanding of how clean energy systems operate and are connected, the students can create new strategies in many engineering applications where sustainability and energy efficiency are the key aspects. Therefore, the module will provide students with the basic knowledge essential to act as professional design engineers for clean power systems and serve society with the technical expertise required for their prospective roles and responsibilities.

Sustainability: This module contains the engineering design calculations and assessments for renewable energy storage systems such as batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells, which are central in deploying the ongoing net zero activities and achieving a sustainable society and resilient access to clean energy resources.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.