Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, hydrogen is considered a future energy carrier. With energy transformation currently underway, the use of hydrogen will enable effective cross-sectoral linkage between environmentally friendly, distributed generation systems for electricity and heat, clean transportation, and decarbonised industry. However, producing, storing, transmitting, and finally using hydrogen in a climate-neutral way involves plenty of challenges. The lecture will introduce current issues concerning the development and implementation of modern hydrogen technologies, with particular focus on H2 production methods and the use of hydrogen fuel in fuel cells. What will also be presented are selected results of recent research conducted at the AGH University Department of Energy and Fuels, perfectly in line with the Polish sector agreement for the development of the hydrogen economy.
Professor Konrad Świerczek
Professor of technical sciences in the Department of Hydrogen Energy at the Faculty of Energy and Fuels at the AGH University. Vice-Dean for Cooperation and Science at the Faculty of Energy and Fuels. Author of over 160 publications in journals from the Journal Citation Reports list. Scientific interests: electrode materials and electrolytes for solid-oxide fuel cells and high-temperature electrolysers, proton transport and mixed ion-electron conductivity in oxides, electrode materials for Li-ion cells.
Earth's climate change is forcing us to change the way in which we think about energy, industry, and the environment. In the face of the climate crisis, we are facing a time when we need to radically change our habits and start thinking with eco-friendliness and innovation in mind. In the not-too-distant future, the energy industry will undergo a real transformation to a green, renewable, and extremely advanced system. The new climate reality requires bold and relentless action. We build efficient photovoltaic cells, wind turbines, and heat pumps. The essence of further development of Renewable Energy Sources is to work on their improvement, lowering the production costs, and increasing their efficiency. This may happen through the collaboration between materials engineering, electrical engineering (electronics), ICT systems, and physics and chemistry. In the modern laboratories at the Centre of Energy at the AGH University, we conduct research on the most cutting edge technologies, which are to be presented during the lecture.
Professor Wojciech Nowak
Professor at the AGH University of Krakow and Director of the Centre of Energy at the AGH University since 2014. Professor Nowak obtained his PhD in 1983 at the Czestochowa University of Technology, whereas his habilitation in 1991 at the same university. He was awarded the title of associate professor in 1997. His professional path has taken him through prestigious European, Japanese, and Chinese research centres. He worked at the University of Tokyo from 1987 to 1989 and as a professor at Nagoya University in Japan.