Renewable Energy And Conversion Techniques I

Renewable energy is the energy generated from natural sources. This course will give an overview solar derived renewable energy. The main scientific principles and technologies related to harnessing and conversion of the earth’s renewable energy sources, combined with a wide range of case studies, laboratory. Among the topics: indirect uses of solar energy (Solar thermal, photovoltaic, Wind, hydroelectric power and BioEnergy) integration into the grid system; sustainability of renewable energy, the use of fuel-cell and heat pump systems is dealt with. Issues relevant to energy efficiency and energy storage are discussed. The potential of using renewable energy technologies as a complement to, and, to the extent possible, replacement for conventional technologies, and the possibility of combining renewable and non-renewable energy technologies in hybrid systems are analysed. Strategies for enhancing the use of renewable energy resources are presented. The course is further designed to make the students conversant with various renewable energy technologies other than direct solar energy conversion technologies. The main technologies covered are: small hydro, wind energy technology, biomass conversion technologies (both thermo- chemical and bio-chemical methods of conversion), and liquid bio fuels. Other technologies such as wave energy and ocean thermal energy conversion will also be covered. Basic principles of the technologies, along with experience gained on the ground with different technologies, levels of commercialization, challenges of integrating with conventional energy/power, will be covered in detail. Different applications of technologies will also be covered.

COURSE JUSTIFICATION/RATIONALE
This course introduces renewable energy technologies. Emphasizes exploration of principles and concepts as well as the application of renewable energy technologies (RET).Explores topics such as energy consumption, the prose and cons of renewable energy, energy production and cons, energy conversion, environmental issues and concerns, biomass and biofuels, wind, power, solar power, nuclear power, and hydropower systems.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

• Develop knowledge of the existing various renewable energy resources available in the country and the region, their potential, exploitation and achievements.
• Describe the fundamentals and main characteristics of renewable energy sources and their differences compared to fossil fuels.
• Explain the technological basis for harnessing renewable energy sources
• Recognize the effects that current energy systems based on fossil fuels have over the environment and the society.
• Describe the main components of different renewable energy systems
• Compare different renewable energy technologies and choose the most appropriate based on local conditions.
• Perform simple techno-economical assessments of renewable energy systems.
• Perform and compare basic environmental assessments of renewable energy systems and conventional fossil fuel systems.
• Design renewable/hybrid energy systems that meet specific energy demands, are economically feasible and have a minimal impact on the environment.
• Suggest the best combination of technological solutions to minimize the emission of greenhouse gases and increase the sustainability of the energy system in specific areas/regions.
• Discuss how to utilize local energy resources (renewable and non-renewable) to achieve the sustainable energy system
• Discuss the various methods of converting solar energy into electricity, heat and solar fuels.
• Describe the physical working principles of photovoltaic conversion in solar cells.
• Recognize and describe the various solar cell technologies, their current status and future technological challenges.
• Analyze the performance of solar cells and modules.
• Design a complete photovoltaic system for any particular application on paper.
• Make a qualitative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the energy technologies presented in the course.
• Explain the most important principles and techniques related to the energy technologies
  

LEARNING OUTCOMES
A student completing the course is expected to:

• Critically assess the strength and limitations of various renewable energy technologies.
• Develop strategies to address power intermittency.
  
• Demonstrate understanding and quantification of the physical limits of energy conversion.
• Design holistic solutions to realistic energy demand scenarios.