Course Details

1. Identify the role of renewable energy sources within the wider range of non-conventional electricity sources.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding on renewable energy source technologies.
3. Compare and contrast the characteristics, properties, applications and design considerations of renewable energy sources and systems.
4. Apply all those tools and knowledge required for the design of renewable energy systems within buildings.
5. Analyze and assess the performance of renewable energy systems

The EU aim is to get 20% of the energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. Renewables include wind, solar, hydro-electric and tidal power as well as geothermal energy and biomass. More renewable energy will enable the EU to cut greenhouse emissions, promote cleaner transport and make it less dependent on imported energy. The EU energy strategy clearly aims and leads to technological research and innovation, employment opportunities as well as sustainability for future generations. The Renewable Energy module is one very important piece of the Energy Systems and the Built Environment course as it can be envisaged.

The module provides an engaging introduction to the mechanisms, characteristics, design concepts, properties, applications, sizing/design and performance of renewable energy technologies. Students will also have the opportunity to visit such integrated installations in buildings. In addition, the module offers the opportunity to appreciate the role and importance of the above renewable sources within the wider range of non-conventional electricity sources. Students will also engage in activities aiming to demonstrate background and fundamental knowledge on the above technologies, knowledge on the properties and design aspects as well as ability to design, simulate and optimize some of above systems computationally.

The course consists of the following modules:

Module 1             Energy conversion principles in renewable energy sources

Module 2             Basics of renewable energy supply

Module 3 Electromagnetic energy conversion

Module 4 Solar thermal heat utilization

Module 5 Wind power plants

Module 6 Hydroelectric power generation

Module 7 Utilization of geothermal energy

Module 8 Utilization of biomass and biofuels

Module 9 Photovoltaics and grid connected photovoltaic systems

Module 10 Off grid photovoltaic systems

• Kaltschmitt, M., Streicher, W., Wiese, A.. Renewable Energy, Technology Economics and Environment. Springer.
• Martin Kaltschmitt, Nickolas J. Themelis, Lucien Y. Bronicki, Lennart Soder and Luis A. Vega (Eds). Renewable Energy Systems, Renewable Energy From Biomass. Springer.
• Electrical Technology, 11 edition, Edward Hughes, Prentice Hall, 2012
• Electrical Engineering: Principles & Applications, 6 edition, Alan R. Hambley, Prentice-Hall, 2013

• Power System Analysis, Grainger J., McGraw Hill, 1 edition, 1994
• Electric Machinery Fundamentals, 5 edition, Stephen J. Chapman, McGraw Hill, 2011
• K. Mertens, Photovoltaics: Fundamentals, Technology and Practice, Wiley-Blackwell, 2014
• Heinrich Häberlin, Photovoltaics System Design and Practice, Wiley-Blackwell, 2012
• Solar Energy International, Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual, New Society Publishers, 2004
• N. Kaminar, Solar Basics: The Easy Guide to Solar Energy, McNeil Hill Publication, 2009
• K. Mertens, Photovoltaics: Fundamentals, Technology and Practice, Wiley-Blackwell, 2014
• Heinrich Häberlin, Photovoltaics System Design and Practice, Wiley-Blackwell, 2012
• Solar Energy International, Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual, New Society Publishers, 2004
• N. Kaminar, Solar Basics: The Easy Guide to Solar Energy, McNeil Hill Publication, 2009