RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Methods of solar radiation analysis. Solar collectors, efficiency, calculations. Active and passive solar systems for heating and cooling. Heat storage methods, solar ponds. Photovoltaic method for electricity production. Agricultural and industrial applications of solar energy. Systems of wind electricity production. Wind generators. Methods of Aeolian potential estimation, windmills site selection. Systems of biomass products production, storage and exploitation. Ocean energy (wave, tide, temperature difference). Geothermal energy. Small hydroelectric plants. Energy economy – parameters optimization in renewable energy exploitation.

Objectives

On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: 1. Understand the operation of different solar energy, wind energy, biomass and geothermal energy systems, 2. Measure and calculate their efficiency 3. Study a renewable energy system as far its interference in energy, environmental and social issues of local societies is considered, 4. Participate in scientific groups dealing with research, dissemination and education of renewable energy.

Prerequisites

• SPECIAL TOPICS OF PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERS • THERMODYNAMICS • HEAT TRANSFER Ι • FLUID MECHANICS Ι & ΙΙ

Syllabus

THEORY PART Α • Methods of solar radiation analysis. • Solar collectors, types, efficiency, calculations. • Active and passive solar systems for heating and cooling. • Heat storage methods. • Solar ponds. • Photovoltaic method for electricity production. • Agricultural and industrial applications of solar energy. • Wind systems for electricity production. • Wind generators. • Method of aeolic potential estimation, wind generators site selection. • Hybrid systems. PART Β • Systems of biomass products production, storage and exploitation. • Ocean energy (wave, tide, temperature difference). • Geothermal energy. • Small hydroelectric plants. • Energy economy • parameters optimization in renewable energy exploitation laboratory PART Α • Use of instruments for solar radiation measurement and recording. • Data analysis with dedicated software • Identification of direct and diffuse radiation. • Measurement of flat and concentrated solar collector efficiency and vacuum collector as well, influence of collector’s characteristics. • Measurement of photovoltaic panel efficiency. • Monitoring-measurements during wind generator operation. Data retrieval with computer • Measurement of wind generator model performance in wind tunnel. PART Β • Measurements and calculations in a biomass burning device. • Geothermal installation calculations. • Exercises on parameters optimization.