BSc in Mechanical Engineering

Course Details

Course Information Package

Course Unit TitleALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY
Course Unit CodeAMEE407
Course Unit Details
Number of ECTS credits allocated5
Learning Outcomes of the course unitBy the end of the course, the students should be able to:
  1. Have a broad knowledge of the different Types of Energy Sources, Describe and analyse typical examples of different Energy Sources.
  2. Explain how oil and NG are produced, the uses of each fuel and the corresponding applications, Distinguish between CNG and LNG and between LNG and LPG and their advantages.
  3. Distinguish between Nuclear Fission and Fusion and comprehend the possible environmental effects and potential safety risks involved.
  4. Make useful thermodynamic calculations in burning fuels (enthalpy of reactions, calorific value, adiabatic temperature flame).
  5. Explain Solar energy and applications, Solar central receivers (Parabolic trough, Power towers, Solar Dish generator), Solar Collectors (Flat plate collectors, Vacuum flat plate collectors, Vacuum tube collectors, Compound parabolic concentrators), Solar collector performance, Wind power, Hydro-electric power, Tidal and wave energy.
  6. Describe how Weather station data analysis (solar radiation, wind velocity/direction, temperature, pressure, humidity, rain, etc) in relation to RES can be done.
  7. Explain the importance of the hydrogen economy, how Hydrogen is produced in combination with RES, hydrogen storage and distribution.
  8. Explain how H2/Fuel Cells operate the potential application of H2/Fuel Cells (Electric Automobiles).
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
PrerequisitesNONECo-requisitesNONE
Recommended optional program componentsNONE
Course Contents·  Types of Energies (Conventional, Non-Conventional (Nuclear Energy), Renewable Energy Sources & Hydrogen)
·  Global, European, Cyprus energy balance, systems and distribution
·  Oil, Natural Gas, CNG, LNG, LPG, Hydrogen characteristics
·  Fossil fuel reserves
·  Green-house gases-effect, Global warming
·  Chemical Thermodynamics (Enthalpy of reaction, Calorific value, Adiabatic flame temperature)
·  Introduction to the Energy problem and the renewable energy sources
·  RES-Targets for Europe and Cyprus
·  Fundamental characteristics and properties of the Renewable Energy Sources.
·  Solar energy and applications
-  Solar central receivers (Parabolic trough, Power towers, Solar Dish generator)
-  Solar Collectors (Flat plate collectors, Vacuum flat plate collectors, Vacuum tube collectors, Compound parabolic concentrators)
-  Solar collector performance
·  Wind power
·  Hydro-electric power
·  Tidal and wave energy
·  Hydrogen production/storage from renewable energy sources and H2 / fuel cells
· 
Laboratory Work (1-hour per week): Weather conditions in relation to RES and “Green” Hydrogen Production, Storage and “Green” electricity production:
The students will operate a model/system composed of a Photovoltaic, a PEM Water Electrolysis, a Hydrogen Storage, a PEM Fuel Cell and a motor, in order to understand the whole “clean” cycle of storing Solar Energy in the form of “green” hydrogen, which can then be used for on-demand “green” electricity production. They will also learn how to obtain and analyze information from weather stations and perform data analysis (solar radiation, wind velocity/direction, temperature, pressure, humidity, rain, etc) in relation to Renewable Energy Sources (RES), and produce a relative report.

Recommended and/or required reading:
Textbooks
  • Hydrogen-based Autonomous Power Systems, N. Lymberopoulos and E. Zoulias, Springer, 2008
  • Renewable Energy by Godfrey Boyle. Oxford University Press February 2004
  • Renewable Energy Resources by John Twidell, Tony Weir. Spon Press June 2005.
References
  • Wind Energy Explained: Theory, Design and Application by J.F Manwell, et al. John Wiley and Sons Ltd April 19, 2002
  • Energy Systems and Sustainability by Godfrey Boyle et. Al. Oxford University Press. September 2003.
  • Tomorrows Energy: Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and the Prospects for a Cleaner Planet by Peter Hoffman. The MIT Press October, 2002
  • Powering the Future: The Ballard Fuel Cell and the Race to Change the World by T. Koppel. John Wiley and Sons May, 2001
Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures for learning the theory and fundamentals in energy.

Explaining with specific examples different aspects in energy sources and solve specific problems.

Actual demonstration of different RES Technologies such as, Solar production of Hydrogen and electricity production with H2/Fuel Cells.

Frequent short quizzes (about 6) on previous class lecture in order to enforce the “every day” studying and prepare the students to readily attend the next class lecture.

Tutorials, where the students ask further questions on the lectures for better comprehension.

Frequent reviews and discussions.
Assessment methods and criteria
Quizzes8%
Mid-term exam16%
Laboratory Work16%
Final Exam60%
Language of instructionEnglish
Work placement(s)NO

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