Course Details

1. Explain the basic concepts behind fuel cells.
2. Define the principles of hydrogen production.
3. Explain wind power technology.
4. Describe biomass and biofuel processes.
5. Explain the principles and fundamentals of photovoltaic generation.
6. Examine the basic concepts of wave power generation.
7. Understand the basic concepts of geothermal energy.
8. Perform introductory experiments in wind and solar energy production.

·     Photovoltaics Generation: Introduction to photovoltaic generation, the silicon p–n junction, photon absorptionat the junction, solar radiation absorption, maximization of cell efficiency,solar cell construction, types and adaptations of photovoltaics, photovoltaiccircuit properties, applications and systems, social and environmental aspects.

·    Wind Power: Introductionto wind power, turbine types and terms, linear momentum and basic theory,dynamic matching, blade element theory, characteristics of the wind, powerextraction by a turbine, electricity generation, mechanical power, social andenvironmental considerations.

·     Biomass and Biofuels: Introduction to biomass and biofuels, biofuel classification, biomass productionfor energy farming, direct combustion for heat, pyrolysis (destructivedistillation), further thermochemical processes, alcoholic fermentation,anaerobic digestion for biogas, wastes and residues, vegetable oils andbiodiesel, social and environmental aspects.

·     Geothermal energy: Introductionto geothermal energy, geophysics, dry rock and hot aquifer analysis, harnessinggeothermal resources.

·     Wave Power: Introduction to wave power, wave motion, wave energy and power, wave patterns,devices.

·    Fuel Cells: Introduction to fuel cells, electrochemical cells, fuelcell classification, temperature of operation, state of the electrolyte, type offuel, chemical nature of the electrolyte, fuel cell reactions, alkalineelectrolytes, acid electrolytes, molten carbonate electrolytes, ceramicelectrolytes, methanol fuel cells.

·     Hydrogen Production: Chemical production of hydrogen, historical, modern production: a)partial oxidation, b) steam reforming, c) thermal decomposition, d) syngas, e)shift reaction, f) methanation, g) methanol, h) sycrude, hydrogen purification,desulfurization, CO₂ removal, CO removal and hydrogen extraction,hydrogen production plants, compact fuel processors, electrolytic hydrogen,introduction to electrolyzer configurations: a)liquid electrolyteelectrolyzers, b) solid polymer electrolyte electrolyzers, c) ceramicelectrolyte electrolyzers, efficiency of electrolyzes, concentrationdifferential electrolyzers, electrolytic hydrogen compressors.

·     Experimental work: Introduction of solar cells as an energy converter.Basic measurements of the irradiance of different light sources. Series andparallel connections of solar cells. Investigate shadowing conditions.Introduction of wind turbines as an energy converter. Measuring power output ofthe generator. Deriving the characteristic curve.

• 3rd Edition, Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Processes, Aldo V. da Rosa, 2012, Elsevier Academic Press

• Renewable Energy Resources, 2nd Edition, John Twidell and Tony Wier, Taylor & Francis, 2006, 0419253300/9780419253303.
• 4th Edition, Renewable Energy, Bent Sørensen, 3rd Edition, Academic Press, 2010, 0123750253/9780123750259.
• 2nd Edition, Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems, Gilbert M. Masters, John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 1118140621/9781118140628.