1. Write a "position piece" on the future of energy storage. The length of the article should be maximum 10 sentences and should concentrate on predicting which energy storage technology will experience the highest growth till 2030 and why. Do not read any similar articles and try to use your knowledge from the class. Explain your prediction using your combined understanding of the scientific principles and limitations, performance characteristics, new materials, energy markets, applications, investment trends, and other contributing factors. Your explanation does not need to be entirely supported by data as long as it shows forward thinking. It should end with clear justification for your selection.
2. Identify and describe in 5 - 8 sentences an overrated or overused energy storage technology. Discuss why a certain technology has been used although there were better choices. Use your combined understanding of the scientific principles and limitations, new materials, energy markets, applications, investment trends, and other contributing factors. (Consider the analogy from the automotive industry and the historical reasons for the use of internal combustion engines over batteries or fuel cells).
3. Present a brief comparison between lithium ion batteries and flywheels. Use maximum 8 sentences. Imagine yourself in the position of a company executive or venture capital investment analyst in charge of making a decision between two technologies. Assume any application or conditions, but state what they are. Your explanation has to include your knowledge of scientific principles, performance characteristics, new developments, market trends, as well as forward thinking. It should end with clear justification for your selection.
4. Present a brief comparison between supercapacitors and superconducing magnetic energy storage. Use maximum 8 sentences. Imagine yourself in the position of a company executive or venture capital investment analyst in charge of making a decision between two technologies. Your explanation has to include your knowledge of performance characteristics, scientific principles and limitations, understanding of material properties and material availability, market trends, as well as forward thinking. It should end with clear justification for your selection.
5. Present a brief technical and marketing justification for flow batteries for the purpose of investing in the technology or for selling it. Use maximum 8 sentences. Imagine yourself in the position of a company executive or venture capital investment analyst in charge of leading a project on flow batteries and justifying the implementation or investment in technology. Your explanation has to include your knowledge of performance characteristics, scientific principles and limitations, understanding of material properties and material availability, and market trends. Your explanation does not need to be entirely supported by data as long as it shows forward thinking. It should end with clear justification for your selection.