ETE-32306 Renewable Energy: Sources, Technology & Applications

Vak

Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

ETE-24804 + PCC-21802 or comparable

Contents:

Access to sufficient energy is a key prerequisite for any industrial society. Fossil fuels are the dominant energy source nowadays, but their use involves a number of problems: enhanced greenhouse effect, air pollution, and resource depletion. Energy savings and the use of renewable energy are directions for achieving an environmentally sustainable industrial society. This course will focus on harvesting sustainable energy sources as a key factor in solving environmental problems. Thermodynamics will be used to analyze the necessary energy conversion processes.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course unit, the student is expected to be able:
- to show a thorough understanding of an energy chain as a connection between a source and the final users, giving due consideration to final users needs and technical and environmental constraints;
- to summarize current technological approaches to renewable energy development;
- to analyze source, conversion and final use by identifying the sources of entropy generation, approaching entropy from the view of continuum mechanics;
- to make a justified proposal for an energy chain based on thermodynamic analysis, knowledge of conversion technologies and needs of distribution networks and consumers.

Activities:

Attending lectures, making assignments and studying literature to acquire knowledge on technologies, distribution, consumption and thermodynamic analysis. This knowledge will be used to make a technological analysis of a proposed energy innovation, e.g. the hydrogen economy, bio-fuels, a.o.

Examination:

Judgment based on written exam (70%, mark at least 5.0) and assignments (30%).

Literature:

Hans U. Fuchs: 'The Dynamics of Heat', Springer-Verlag. Additional hand-outs will be supplied during the course.