CHIMICA PER L'ENERGIA

Course Objectives
The course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge of chemistry for the energy production, including the materials used for equipment, the raw materials, energy sources, and utilities employed, as well as the main processes.

Specifically, with reference to the Dublin Descriptors, the course intends to:
a) Descriptor 1 – Knowledge and understanding:
Provide students with a solid foundation of the key concepts related to chemical phenomena for the energy production, through an integrated approach that combines theory with practical case studies.
b) Descriptor 2 – Applying knowledge and understanding:
Develop the ability to apply chemical knowledge to the energy production processes, with particular focus on technologies and the selection of appropriate materials 
c) Descriptor 3 – Making judgements:
Equip students with the tools to critically evaluate the chemical characteristics of raw materials and energy sources involved in the production processes. These skills will be fostered through classroom exercises and the active engagement of students during lectures.
d) Descriptor 4 – Communication skills:
Improve the students’ ability to clearly and effectively communicate scientific concepts using technical language appropriate to the scientific contexts and professional settings.
e) Descriptor 5 – Learning skills:
Encourage the development of an effective and pragmatic study method, aimed at enabling students to work independently and in teams.  Teaching materials will be provided in PDF or PowerPoint format, along with references to relevant textbooks and chapters for further study

Information for students with disabilities and/or SLD

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs.

Classroom lessons with numerical and laboratory exercises

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it

1. Energy Resources and Sustainability

Primary energy resources. Fossil and renewable energy sources. Petroleum, natural gas and coal. Biomass and its valorization for energy production. Energy production and consumption. Environmental impacts of energy systems: climate change, greenhouse effect, CO₂ emissions, air pollution and acid rain. Energy and environmental indicators (Energy Return on Energy Invested – EROEI, carbon footprint and Life Cycle Assessment). Critical raw materials for the energy transition.

2. Energy Sources and the Energy Transition

Solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and marine energy. Nuclear energy: fission and future perspectives of nuclear fusion. Energy mix and decarbonization strategies. National and European policies for the energy transition.

3. Hydrogen Economy

Hydrogen properties and its role in the energy transition. Hydrogen production routes (steam reforming, water electrolysis, photochemical and thermochemical processes). Hydrogen color classification. Hydrogen storage and transportation technologies. Fuel cells and their applications.

4. CO₂ Utilization and Solar Fuels

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). Conversion of CO₂ into fuels and value-added chemicals. Solar fuels and e-fuels. Artificial photosynthesis. Photocatalysis, photothermal catalysis and photoelectrochemical processes for CO₂ valorization.

5. Advanced Materials and Innovative Energy Conversion Processes

Advanced materials for photovoltaics, semiconductors and catalysts. Nanostructured and multifunctional materials. Innovative energy conversion processes, including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, sonocatalysis, plasma catalysis and microwave-assisted catalysis. Introduction to artificial intelligence for the design and discovery of advanced energy materials.

6. Energy Storage and Circular Economy

Electrochemical energy storage systems: lithium-ion, sodium-ion and emerging battery technologies. Supercapacitors and hydrogen storage systems. Recovery of critical raw materials from spent batteries. Circular economy approaches and recycling strategies for energy materials.

1. Class notes in pdf format.

2. Fabrizio Cavani et al. - Fondamenti di Chimica industriale - Zanichelli (Ed. Aprile 2022)

3. Pierluigi Barbaro and Claudio Bianchini- Catalysis for Sustainable Energy Production 

4. Selected review articles from leading international journals.

Oral exam with numerical exercises.

The final grade is expressed on a scale of thirty, according to the following criteria:

Fail

• Knowledge and understanding of the subject: major deficiencies and inaccuracies; gaps also in basic chemistry knowledge; unsatisfactory performance in the numerical exercise.

• Analytical and synthesis skills: frequent generalizations.

• Use of references: inappropriate.

18–20

• Knowledge and understanding of the subject: very modest, with evident imperfections; numerical exercise barely sufficient.

• Analytical and synthesis skills: just sufficient.

• Use of references: barely appropriate.

21–23

• Knowledge and understanding of the subject: slightly more than sufficient; numerical exercise sufficient.

• Analytical and synthesis skills: fair ability to analyze and synthesize; arguments are logically and coherently presented.

• Use of references: appropriate use of course material.

24–26

• Knowledge and understanding of the subject: good knowledge; numerical exercise completed without difficulty.

• Analytical and synthesis skills: good ability to analyze and synthesize; topics are presented coherently.

• Use of references: appropriate use of course material.

27–29

• Knowledge and understanding of the subject: more than good; numerical exercise completed without difficulty.

• Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis skills.

• Use of references: shows deeper understanding of the topics.

30–30 cum laude

• Knowledge and understanding of the subject: excellent; numerical exercise completed without difficulty.

• Analytical and synthesis skills: outstanding analytical and synthesis abilities.

• Use of references: significant and insightful elaboration of topics.

The assessment may also be carried out remotely, should regulations allow and circumstances require it.

Primary energy resources. Fossil and renewable energy sources. Petroleum, natural gas and coal. Biomass and its valorization for energy production. Energy production and consumption. Environmental impacts of energy systems: climate change, greenhouse effect, CO₂ emissions, air pollution and acid rain. Energy and environmental indicators (Energy Return on Energy Invested – EROEI, carbon footprint and Life Cycle Assessment). Critical raw materials for the energy transition.

Solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and marine energy. Nuclear energy: fission and future perspectives of nuclear fusion. Energy mix and decarbonization strategies. National and European policies for the energy transition.

Hydrogen properties and its role in the energy transition. Hydrogen production routes (steam reforming, water electrolysis, photochemical and thermochemical processes). Hydrogen color classification. Hydrogen storage and transportation technologies. Fuel cells and their applications.

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). Conversion of CO₂ into fuels and value-added chemicals. Solar fuels and e-fuels. Artificial photosynthesis. Photocatalysis, photothermal catalysis and photoelectrochemical processes for CO₂ valorization.

Advanced materials for photovoltaics, semiconductors and catalysts. Nanostructured and multifunctional materials. Innovative energy conversion processes, including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, sonocatalysis, plasma catalysis and microwave-assisted catalysis. Introduction to artificial intelligence for the design and discovery of advanced energy materials.

Electrochemical energy storage systems: lithium-ion, sodium-ion and emerging battery technologies. Supercapacitors and hydrogen storage systems. Recovery of critical raw materials from spent batteries. Circular economy approaches and recycling strategies for energy materials.