Concerns about climate change, energy security and air quality, amongst other concerns, drive great pressure to change energy systems worldwide. Transport, which accounts for around 20% of global energy use, is no exception to these concerns. 95% of all transport energy comes from petroleum-derived fuels powering internal combustion engines. Alternatives to conventional systems start from a low base and face significant barriers to rapid and large-scale deployment. Hence, internal combustion engines and conventional fuels will continue to be the major global transport power source for decades. Hence, such systems must be improved in efficiency and environmental impact.
First, there is much scope for improving conventional engines using fuels existing in the market through better combustion, after-treatment and control systems allied with partial electrification.
In the medium term, developing fuel/engine systems using fuels currently not in the market offers further scope for improvement. In the long term, as all energy systems are decarbonized, and battery and fuel cell technology improve, there is much more scope for power sources like batteries and fuel cells to replace internal combustion engines and for new fuels like hydrogen and so-called electro-fuels to come into play.
Course participants will learn these topics through online lectures and soft copies of materials. Also, case studies and assignments will be shared to stimulate the research motivation of participants.