New Energy Technologies (Renewable)
Research on new energy technologies at Otaniemi Campus was originally initiated at the Department of Engineering Physics (Helsinki University of Technology) in 1979. Early work included solar energy and energy storage.
The current research focus is on solar cells and fuel cells (materials and devices), and complex systemic issues with large-scale renewable energy schemes (systems). Specific topics include flexible and wearable nano-solar cells, nano-composites for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells, energy-flexibility, energy frugality,.
The group is responsible for advanced and renewable energy teaching both on undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels within the PHYS-Programme in Engineering Physics. A specialization package in new energy technologies is provided. The group is also coordinating the Multidisciplinary Energy Sciences M.Sc. minor offered to all Aalto U students.
Group leader
Peter Lund
The group is lead by Professor Peter D. Lund. Key people in the group include University Lecturer (Mr.) Janne Halme (solar cells), Research Fellow (Mrs.) Kati Miettunen (solar cells), Research Coordinator (Mr.) Imran Asghar (fuel cells), Post-Doc (Mrs.) Kerttu Aitola (solar cells). In addition, seven doctoral students (+four at VTT) and several B.Sc. and M.Sc-level research assistants are enrolled in the group. International visiting researchers are hosted on regular basis. Docents (adjunct) are Dr. Hannele Holttinen (VTT, wind power), Dr. Janne Halme (Aalto U, solar energy), Dr. Kati Miettunen (Aalto U/CHEM, solar cells), Dr. Imran Asghar (Aalto U, nanomaterials for energy).
Research
Dye-sensitized and perovskite nanostructured solar cells
A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a molecular level electrochemical solar cell, where light absorption and current generation occurs in dye molecules attached to a nanostructured TiO2 electrode. Main advantages are a rather good efficiency with simple manufacturing methods, economic and abundant materials, and lending to high throughput roll-to-roll production. DSSC research requires multidisciplinary research e.g. combining physics, chemistry, materials, end engineering.
The work on DSSCs was initiated in our group in 2001. The research focus is on cell materials and preparation methods, impedance spectroscopy of charge transport in the cells, optical characterization of the cells and identification of factors affecting their long-term stability. Special emphasis is laid on flexible DSSCs, e.g., on plastic or metal sheets (collaboration with industries) and new materials, e.g. cobalt-complexes, perovskites. The efficiency obtained with our metal-based DSSCs is among the best in the world.
Key research topics include:
- Flexible substrates incl. upscaling
- Degradation mechanisms and long-term stability
- Alternative materials
- Charge transport processes
Research highlights:
- Carbon-nanostructured counter electrode
- Fully flexible solar cell
- Solar cell on paper
- Stability and life-time models
Contact persons: Dr. Janne Halme, Dr. Kati Miettunen, Dr. Ghufran Hashmi, Professor Peter Lund ([email protected])
Low-temperature nanoceramic fuel cells
Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of fuel and oxidant directly into electricity and heat. Fuel cells offer high efficiency, low emissions, modularity and quiet operation. Fuel cells are a promising candidate for powering a wide range of applications, from portable electronics to micro-power plants.
Fuel cells research in our group started in the early 1990s on low-temperature PEM fuel cells and hydrogen storage. Presently, we work on nano-composites for low-temperature SOFC fuel cells operating at 400-600 °C. The focus is on new nanomaterials to improve performance and lifetime of these cells. Research topics include:
- Nanocomposites for fuel cells
- Single-material designs
- Electrochemical characterization
- Laboratory unit-cells, planar cells
Research highlights:
- GDC and SDC-carbonate nanostructures for LT-SOFC
- LiZnNi nanomaterials
- 1000+ mW/cm2 performance
- Well-equipped fuel cell lab
Contact persons: Dr. Imran Asghar, Mr. Sami Jouttijärvi, Professor Peter Lund ([email protected])
Sustainable flexible energy systems
New energy technologies and systems link closely to global energy issues and future energy solutions as well as to distributed power generation.
The energy systems related work concentrates on multidisciplinary issues on large-scale integration of renewables into the energy system, energy system flexibility, market penetration and diffusion of new technologies, and global-scale changes. Energy system modelling on different levels has been important research tools, but also the integration of interdisciplinary aspects.
Two important research problems underway are: 1) How to enable fast and cost-effective penetration of new energy technologies; 2) How can large-scale new energy technology schemes in the energy system be managed effectively?
Research highlights:
- Spatio-temporal load and solar resource model
- P2H strategies for 2-3-folding renewable use
- Electric-vehicle fleet model for integration
- Energy flexibility optimization model
Contact persons: Mr. Jani Mikkola, Mr. Jyri Salpakari, Professor Peter Lund ([email protected])
Sustainable energy innovations and policies
Multi-disciplinary research on modern energy policies to face future challenges such as climate change combined with green energy economics opportunities. This is done in collaboration with 10 professors all around Finland. In addition, frugality and reverse innovations in energy are studied, using India as a case.
Research highlights:
- Price-conditioned technology penetration model
- Blueprint and scenarios for modern energy policy in Finland
- Business growth models in renewable energy
Contact persons: Dr. Sanna-Liisa Sihto-Nissilä, Ms. Sini Numminen, Ms. Sannamari Pilpola, Ms. Mari Ratinen, Professor Peter Lund ([email protected])
Facilities
Key facilities include:
- solar cell research lab
- printed energy device lab
- fuel cell research lab
- degradation and ageing lab
- simulation models for urban energy systems
- techno-economic-socioeconomic models for technology penetration
Courses
PHYS-C1380 Multi-disciplinary energy perspectives (winter semester)
PHYS-C6370 Fundamentals of New Energy Sources (fall semester)
PHYS-E0483 Advances in New Energy Technologies (winter semester)
PHYS-E6570 Solar Energy Engineering (winter semester, not in 2017)
PHYS-E6571 Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Technology (winter semester, 2017)
PHYS-E6572 Advanced Wind Power Technology (fall semester, 2016)
PHYS-E0581 Individual Assignments (any time)
PHYS-E0582 Special Course in Advanced Energy Technologies, winter semester 2017: Basics of climate change (MOOC, in cooperation with SITRA and several Finnish universities)
In addition, the group contributes to PHYS-labs works.
New courses:
Climate MOOC
Climate.now is a multidisciplinary module on the basics of climate change. It has primarily been created to provide a 5 ECTS course in higher education, or for self-study. Aalto U has partnered other university and SITRA in the development of the course. Coordination by Helsinki University.
Hands-on course (PHYS-E0581) in energy science in Energy Garage
The students are involved in practical applications in modern energy. Each hands-on topic is stand-alone and will give 1 point. Each will contain pre-home-work, tutoring session on construction, analysis, reporting and pinching session. Students will combine different skills in small teams, but importantly build and experiment on energy. Schedule is quite flexible.
Latest publications
Analyzing competing effects between heat transfer area and natural convection to enhance heat transfer in latent heat storage
Washable textile embedded solar cells for self-powered wearables
Medium-entropy oxide (Ce0.25Sm0.25La0.25Gd0.25)2O3-δ as promising electrolyte for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells
Proton conductor NASICON-structure Li1+xCdx/2Zr2−x/2(PO4)3 as solid electrolyte for intermediate-temperature fuel cells
Efficiency limits and design principles for multi-junction coloured photovoltaics
Comparisons and optimization of two absorption chiller types by considering heat transfer area, exergy, and economy as single objective functions
Exceptionally High Proton Conductivity in Eu2O3 by Proton-coupled Electron Transfer Mechanism
Dynamic price optimization of a solar integrated cogeneration system considering uncertainties of building demands
Exergy and exergoeconomic analyses of multi-energy complementary system based on different natural gas and biogas co-firing ratios considering carbon tax
Improving electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution through Co and Ni single atom sites with synergistic effects anchored on carbon foam as a self-supporting electrode
Latest news
Inkjet printers and hydrogen dreams: Millennium Graduate Student winner Sanaz Zarabi Golkhatmi
Sanaz Zarabi employed a fabrication technique that promises to wildly increase the effectiveness of our renewable energy solutions. With it, she won first place in the Millennium Graduate Student Contest 2022.
Professor Peter D. Lund awarded high Chinese Honour
Renewable energy expert granted Jiangsu Award and Medal of Friendship
New materials for fuel cells
Researchers from Aalto University and Northeastern University (China) have demonstrated a solid oxide fuel cell based on a single-oxide SrTiO2 electrolyte. A high power density of 620 mW per cm2 with hydrogen as fuel was obtained. The electrolyte forms a mixed proton and oxygen ion conductor with a core-shell structureWorld Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies Innovation Award to Sino-Finnish research on fuel cells
Professors Bin Zhu from China University of Geosciences and Peter Lund from Aalto University were awarded World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies Innovation Award for their work on advanced fuel cells.Upcoming events
The Third Workshop on Catalytic Reactions with Ion Transfer through Interfaces (ITICAT2024)
Welcome to The Third Workshop on Catalytic Reactions with Ion Transfer through Interfaces (ITICAT2024), organized on July 10 - 12, 2024, as a pre-conference of the 18th-ICC (International Congress on Catalysis).Research group members
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