ETE-32306 Renewable Energy: Sources, Technology & Applications

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

ETE-24804 Fundamentals of Environmental Technology + PCC-21802 Introductory Thermodynamics 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 applied in a case study, where an energy self-sufficient house will be analysed.

Examination:

The final mark is composed of the results of:
- written exam (weight 70%), passing mark >5.0);
- case study (weight 30%, passing mark >5.0).
Successful partial interim examinations will remain valid for a period of 2 years.

Literature:

Fuchs, Hans U. (2010). The Dynamics of Heat. 2ND ED. Springer-Verlag New York Inc. 746 P. ISBN-10 1441976035.
Additional hand-outs will be supplied during the course.