INTRODUCTION TO PRINCIPLES OF HYDROMETALLURGY

This course addresses the urgent need to transition metallurgical industries towards sustainable, carbon-free practices. Designed for industrial professionals and researchers, it provides comprehensive understanding of both environmental impacts and cutting-edge technological solutions transforming metal production. The curriculum begins with the context and imperative for sustainable metallurgy within global climate frameworks. You will explore alternative reduction technologies, studying hydrogen-based processes, electrolysis, and innovative techniques while evaluating your technical feasibility and real-world applications. The course examines sustainable energy integration challenges, focusing on renewable sources, storage technologies, and grid strategies essential for industrial implementation. Special attention is given to hydrogen's revolutionary role in metallurgy, covering production methods, applications in metal processing, safety considerations, and infrastructure requirements. Through a culminating entrepreneurial project, you will develop innovative solutions by forming interdisciplinary teams to address specific challenges, creating business plans and presentations while maintaining reflective learning journals. This transformative educational experience builds both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enabling you to become an effective change agent driving the decarbonization of metallurgical processes—an essential step toward industry's sustainable future. Course content Mapping Emissions in Metallurgical Systems  Low-Carbon & CO₂-Free Metallurgy Technologies Integrating Hydrogen & Renewables into Metallurgical Operations  Infrastructure, Supply-Chain Logistics & Plant Retrofitting You will learn to Analyze the environmental impact of traditional metallurgical processes and articulate the strategic importance of CO₂-free alternatives within global climate frameworks Evaluate breakthrough hydrogen-based reduction technologies, electrolysis methods, and other innovative approaches for sustainable metal production Develop strategies for integrating renewable energy sources into metallurgical operations, addressing intermittency and storage challenges Apply comprehensive technical and economic assessment methods to evaluate the feasibility of implementing carbon-neutral solutions in industrial settings Design transformation roadmaps for existing metallurgical facilities transitioning to low-carbon production methods Lead change initiatives within organizations by applying entrepreneurial thinking to overcome technological, economic, and social barriers to sustainable metallurgy Target group The course is designed for professionals at the intersection of metallurgy and sustainability who are driving industrial transformation towards carbon neutrality. It's ideal for Industrial PhD students and researchers exploring sustainable metallurgical processes Process engineers and technical managers in metal production facilities Sustainability and environmental compliance specialists in metallurgical industries R&D professionals developing next-generation metal production technologies Industrial strategists planning long-term decarbonization pathways Technology developers and entrepreneurs working on clean-tech solutions for metals production

Batteries and battery technology are vital for achieving sustainable transportation and climate-neutral goals. As concerns over retired batteries are growing and companies in the battery or electric vehicle ecosystem need appropriate business strategies and framework to work with.This course aims to help participants with a deep understanding of battery circularity within the context of circular business models. You will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement circular business models and strategies in the battery and electric vehicle industry, considering both individual company specific and ecosystem-wide perspectives. You will also gain the ability to navigate the complexities of transitioning towards circularity and green transition in the industry.The course includes a project work to develop a digitally enabled circular business model based on real-world problems. Course content Battery second life and circularity Barriers and enablers of battery circularity Circular business models Ecosystem management Pathways for circular transformation Design principles for battery circularity Role of advanced digital technologies Learning outcomes After completing the course, you will be able to: Describe the concept of battery circularity and its importance in achieving sustainability goals. Examine and explain the characteristics and differences of different types of circular business models and required collaboration forms in the battery- and electric vehicle- industry. Analyze key factors that are influencing design and implement circular business models based on specific individual company and its ecosystem contexts. Analyze key stakeholders and develop ecosystem management strategies for designing and implementing circular business models. Explain the role of digitalization, design, and policies to design and implement circular business models. Plan and design a digitally enabled circular business model that is suitable for a given battery circularity problem. Examples of professional roles that will benefit from this course are sustainability managers, battery technology engineers, business development managers, circular developers, product developers, environmental engineers, material engineers, supply chain engineers or managers, battery specialists, circular economy specialists, etc. This course is given by Mälardalen university in cooperation with Luleå University of Technology Study effort: 80 hrs

Why markets for electricity? How do they function? This introductory course explains how incentives shape outcomes in the electricity market. It brings out the implications for businesses and society of electricity pricing in the shadow of the energy transition. The course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the electricity market's role in ensuring an efficient electricity supply and addressing key public questions, such as What is the purpose of the electricity market? Why do electricity prices vary by location? How can electricity prices surge despite low production costs? Are there alternative ways to sell electricity? Why is international electricity trading important? The course emphasizes the role of economic incentives in shaping market behavior and addresses critical issues such as market power and its consequences. You will also explore the inefficiencies stemming from unpriced aspects of energy supply and the role of regulation in mitigating these inefficiencies. As the global push toward decarbonization accelerates, the course delves into the challenges posed by large-scale electrification, the implications of climate legislation for energy systems, and the impact of protectionist national policies. The course offers a comprehensive introduction to the electricity market, provides you with analytical tools for independent analysis and brings you to the forefront of current energy policy debate. The course will enable you to Describe the interaction between the electricity system and the electricity market. Explain how the electricity market can increase the efficiency of electricity supply, e.g. with respect to market integration. Show how market power reduces the efficiency of the electricity market. Categorize fundamental market imperfections and describe their solutions. Explain economic and political challenges associated with the green transition. Apply economic tools to analyze the electricity market and examine how changes to the electricity system and regulation affect market outcomes. Target group This course is designed for engineers and managers eager to enhance their understanding of electricity markets within the context of the industrial green energy transition. The purpose is to increase the understanding of the scope of the electricity market and its role in achieving efficient electricity supply. Study effort: 80 hrs

Understanding and optimizing battery performance is crucial for advancing electrification, sustainable mobility, and renewable energy systems. This course provides a comprehensive overview of battery performance, ageing processes, and modelling techniques to improve efficiency, reliability, and service life. Participants will explore battery operation from a whole-system perspective, including its integration in electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure, and energy grids. The course covers both physics-based and data-driven modelling approaches at the cell, module, and pack levels, equipping learners with tools to monitor, predict, and optimize battery performance in real-world applications. Through this course, you will gain the ability to assess battery health, model degradation, and evaluate second-life applications from both technical and economic standpoints. Course content Battery fundamentals and degradation mechanisms Battery modelling Battery monitoring and diagnostics Operational strategies for battery systems Techno-economic performance assessment Battery second-life applications   You will learn to: Explain the principles of battery operation and degradation mechanisms. Develop battery performance models using both physics-based and data-driven approaches. Apply methods for State of Health (SOH) estimation and Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction. Analyze key factors influencing battery lifespan economics in different applications. Evaluate battery second-life potential and identify suitable applications. Target group: Professionals in energy, automotive, R&D, or sustainability roles Engineers and data scientists transitioning into battery technologies Technical specialists working with electrification, battery management systems, or energy storage

Kursperiod 1/11 till 19/12 2025 Innehåll Batterivärdekedjan: från processer uppströms till nedströms Åldrande batterier: Hur batterier förändras över tiden och vilka risker det är med. Toxicitet: Fokus på material och deras påverkan på miljö och hälsa. Säkerhetsaspekter: Riskbedömning och hantering av batterier i olika skeden av deras livscykel. Livscykelanalys: Miljö- och hållbarhetsperspektiv. Kursens upplägg Kursen kommer att ske som en synkron onlinekurs (fjärrundervisning) för maximal flexibilitet för deltagarna. Kursen kommer att innehålla onlineföreläsningar, diskussionstillfällen, ett kort individuellt projekt, skriftliga reflektioner. För att slutföra kursen krävs en arbetsinsats på ca 40 h. Du kommer att få kunskap om Kursdeltagaren kommer att lära sig följande: Grunderna för batterisäkerhetsfrågor och toxicitet längs batterivärdekedjan En introduktion till livscykelanalys Kunskaper för hantering av åldrande batterier Vem vänder sig kursen till? Kursen vänder sig till personer inom logistik, automation, energiproduktion och byggsektorn. Främst de som hanterar batterier i fordonsflottor, arbetar med säkerhets- och hållbarhetsfrågor inom fordonsindustrin, arbetar med integration av batterier i lokala och nationella energisystem/infrastruktur. Helst har deltagarna en utbildning inom teknik eller naturvetenskap. Deltagare bör ha vissa förkunskaper om batterier, genom teknisk/naturvetenskaplig universitetsutbildning, eller genom en grundläggande öppen kurs. 

This course addresses the urgent need to transition metallurgical industries towards sustainable, carbon-free practices. Designed for industrial professionals and researchers, it provides comprehensive understanding of both environmental impacts and cutting-edge technological solutions transforming metal production. The curriculum begins with the context and imperative for sustainable metallurgy within global climate frameworks. You will explore alternative reduction technologies, studying hydrogen-based processes, electrolysis, and innovative techniques while evaluating your technical feasibility and real-world applications. The course examines sustainable energy integration challenges, focusing on renewable sources, storage technologies, and grid strategies essential for industrial implementation. Special attention is given to hydrogen's revolutionary role in metallurgy, covering production methods, applications in metal processing, safety considerations, and infrastructure requirements. Through a culminating entrepreneurial project, you will develop innovative solutions by forming interdisciplinary teams to address specific challenges, creating business plans and presentations while maintaining reflective learning journals. This transformative educational experience builds both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enabling you to become an effective change agent driving the decarbonization of metallurgical processes—an essential step toward industry's sustainable future. Course content Mapping Emissions in Metallurgical Systems  Low-Carbon & CO₂-Free Metallurgy Technologies Integrating Hydrogen & Renewables into Metallurgical Operations  Infrastructure, Supply-Chain Logistics & Plant Retrofitting You will learn to Analyze the environmental impact of traditional metallurgical processes and articulate the strategic importance of CO₂-free alternatives within global climate frameworks Evaluate breakthrough hydrogen-based reduction technologies, electrolysis methods, and other innovative approaches for sustainable metal production Develop strategies for integrating renewable energy sources into metallurgical operations, addressing intermittency and storage challenges Apply comprehensive technical and economic assessment methods to evaluate the feasibility of implementing carbon-neutral solutions in industrial settings Design transformation roadmaps for existing metallurgical facilities transitioning to low-carbon production methods Lead change initiatives within organizations by applying entrepreneurial thinking to overcome technological, economic, and social barriers to sustainable metallurgy Target group The course is designed for professionals at the intersection of metallurgy and sustainability who are driving industrial transformation towards carbon neutrality. It's ideal for Industrial PhD students and researchers exploring sustainable metallurgical processes Process engineers and technical managers in metal production facilities Sustainability and environmental compliance specialists in metallurgical industries R&D professionals developing next-generation metal production technologies Industrial strategists planning long-term decarbonization pathways Technology developers and entrepreneurs working on clean-tech solutions for metals production