Snapshot on webinars of Virtual Learning University (VLU)

The webinars brought together experts who discussed advancements, challenges, and opportunities in photovoltaic (PV) technology and sustainable developement

Summary of the Webinar: Sustainable Silicon Photovoltaic Cell and Module Technology for the Terawatt ERA

Professor Dr. Evan Gordon –  highlighted under the title: Sustainable Silicon Photovoltaic Cell and Module Technology for the Terawatt ERA) the The current status of the complete value chain of crystalline silicon based PV  will be presented. Starting with an overview of the current PV technology used in industry, we highlight some ways in which the performance of crystalline silicon cell and module technology can be further improved, while simultaneously lowering the cost. New cell architectures, such as PERC, PERT, IBC, and passivated contacts will be highlighted. The cost of crystalline silicon photovoltaics can be further reduced with thinner wafers, reduced Silver finger for metallization. Finally. Theoretical efficiency limits of single junction silicon solar devices could be surpassed in the case of tandem cells with a crystalline silicon bottom cell and a high bandgap thinfilm top cell.

Summary of the Webinar: Lithium Ion Batteries Understanding the Basics to Face Future Challenges

Professor Dr. Isamail Saadoune – Discussed (under the topic: Lithium Ion Batteries Understanding the Basics to Face Future Challenges) all about Li-ion batteries (LiBs) which have been considered as the principal, unrivaled, and most efficient energy storage systems. He highlighted the progress that Battery technology has known, and the electrochemical performance of current commercialized LIBs unable to meet the new requirements of the growing energy demands. Challenges, as high power and energy density, safety, sustainability, are actually facing this technology and needing scientific and innovative approaches. Professor Saadoune highlighted the fundamentals of lithium-ion batteries, including the interplay between cathode, anode, and electrolytes, and discussed the challenges of scalability, raw material availability, and environmental impact. He explored advancements in solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries as alternatives, and the importance of recycling to recover critical materials. The presentation also underscored Morocco’s growing role in the battery ecosystem, with emerging gigafactories and collaborations with global partners. The session concluded with discussions on safety, battery management systems, and the evolving landscape of materials research to support sustainable energy solutions. As conclusion, the future challenges of LiBs are extremely depending on the development of each component of this technology.

This lecture brought into audience, the role and the existing chemistries inside the batteries and present the future R&D opportunities to tackle the future challenges.

Summary of the Webinar: Water Reuse to Enhance Water Security and Sustainability and Reduce Impacts of Climate Change

Dr. Saad Jasim, PhD, P. Eng – Under the title: Water Reuse to Enhance Water Security and Sustainability and reduce impacts of Climate Change, he summarized the facing Climate Change challenges, the need of Water Reuse, and advanced technologies, as ultimate choice to enhance water security, sustainability, and resilience. The Climate change induced water scarcity and environmental sustainability are some of the main drivers for augmenting supply through treated water reuse. The water industry is facing new challenges such as “Cyanotoxins”, “chemical of emerging concern” (pharmaceuticals, personal care products and endocrine disrupting chemicals), “antibiotic resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes”, etc. The successful and efficient reuse of treated wastewater using advanced technologies, would provide a safe application particularly for agriculture will involve multitude strategies, which include increasing the reliability of reclaimed water as an alternative source to groundwater in irrigation, improving public awareness and attitudes towards reclaimed water, setting national public health and environmental standards for reuse, and implementing effective utilization plans in terms of increasing crop value and groundwater conservation.

Summary of the Webinar: The Effect of Doping on Oxide Materials and their Photocatalytic Activities in the Visible Light

Dr. Fatima Zahra Mezzat from Computational Physics Laboratory of Condensed Matter and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat – Morocco. Is presenting a talk (in French) under the title “The Effect of Doping on Oxide Materials and their Photocatalytic Activities in the Visible Light” . This is the third PHD Research Seminar Series at VLU Research Seminar

The Moderator: Prof. Dr Abdelillah Benyoussef, permanent Member of the Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, and founder of the former Laboratoire de Physique Statistique

Commentators:

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Ennaoui, Executive Director & Founder of VLU, Lecturer of PV Technology and Green Hydrogen.

Prof. Omar Mounkachi, Coordinator of the project on hydrogen storage.

This webinar start with an introduction (Prof. Ahmed Ennaoui) followed by Dr. Fatima Zahra Mezzat ´s talk