Alternative (Soft) Energy Sources

The aim of this course is to understand the fundamental principles related to energy production from renewable sources. More specifically economic, technical and environmental issues will be presented which is related to energy sources such as: - Solar energy and photovoltaic systems - Wind energy, - Geothermal energy, - Hydroelectric energy and - Energy from biomass.

Objectives

By the end of this course the students should know: 1. The basic types of renewable energy sources and the main technologies for their utilization 2. The basics of solar engineering and wind potential/wind properties 3. The operating principles of photovoltaic (pv) modules, the different pv technologies and their basic properties. 4. The operating principles wind turbines, the different types of wind turbines and their main properties 5. The difference between passive and energetic thermal solar systems and their main applications in heating/cooling and electricity production 6. The main mechanisms of heat transfer from the core of earth to its surface. The different geothermal systems and fields and the main methods for their detection. The main application of geothermal energy and the technical problems for its utilization. 7. The most important thermal processes of energy production from biomass. The main methods of biodiesel production and their life cycle assessment. Technoeconomical analysis for installation and operation of a biomass plant and its environmental and societal impact 8. The main methods of hydrogen production from fossil fuels and renewable sources. The fundamentals of energy production in fuel cells and the different types of fuel cells. 9. The basic principles of photocatalysis and the mechanisms of photocatalytic reactions. The possibility of application of photocatalytic methods in the energy sector and for protection of the environment.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisite courses. It is, however, recommended that students should have knowledge of basic energy balances and techno-economical analysis

Syllabus

1. Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems and utilization technologies. Current status in Greece, Europe and worldwide. 2. Solar Engineering and solar energy. Basic equations for calculation of incident solar power on horizontal and incline level 3. Photovoltaics for electricity production. Semiconductors, Photovoltaic cells (PV) and modules. Different PV technologies. Design of PV plants and techno-economical analysis. 4. Passive and active thermal solar systems for electricity production and heating/cooling applications. From solar collectors to solar towers. 5. Wind power and basic wind properties. Production of mechanical and electrical energy from wind turbines. Main types of wind turbines. Design of wind plants and techno-economical analysis. 6. Geothermal Energy: Introduction, historical evolution and heat in earth surface. Geological background, heat transfer and relative calculations. Characteristics of geothermal fluids. Methods of research, detection and production of geothermal energy. Geothermal energy usage and technical problems in the utilization. 7. Energy from biomass: Thermal processes for energy production from biomass. Biodiesel production from biological processes. Pre-treatment processes of biomass for biodiesel production. Life-cycle analysis and technoeconomical analysis of installation and operation of biomass plant. Environmental and societal impacts. 8. Hydrogen and fuel cells: Hydrogen production from fossil fuels and renewable sources. Fundamentals of energy production in fuel cells. Types of fuel cells.