Renewable energy technology

This course provides a detailed description of selected technologies for the production of renewable energy: solar PV power, wind power, biomass combustion and gasification, and hydropower.

The following technical aspects will be covered during the sessions:

• Solar PV power: resources, cell and module technologies, PV inverters, PV system design
• Wind power: resources, aerodynamics, Betz model, electrical configurations
• Biomass: context, sustainability, properties, combustion, gasification.
• Hydropower: context, basic hydrology, plant description, types of turbines (Pelton, Francis, Kaplan).

At the end of this course, the students will be able to:

• Provide a detailed technical description of the renewable energy technologies that were covered;
• Explain the main elements to be taken into account for the design of such systems, and apply them to simple cases;
• Carry out a pre-feasibility study for the design of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) able to fulfill a given energy demand.

• Lectures
• Exercise sessions
• Group work
• Visit

Contribution to the teaching profile

This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of integrated structural design methods in the framework of a global design strategy

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced methods and theories to schematize and model complex problems or processes

• Reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity)

• Conceive, plan and execute a research project, based on an analysis of its objectives, existing knowledge and the relevant literature, with attention to innovation and valorization in industry and society

• Correctly report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper

• Present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience

• Collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team

• Work in an industrial environment with attention to safety, quality assurance, communication and reporting

• Develop, plan, execute and manage engineering projects at the level of a starting professional

• Think critically about and evaluate projects, systems and processes, particularly when based on incomplete, contradictory and/or redundant information

• A creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society

• A critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others

• Consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects

• The flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context

• An attitude of life-long learning as needed for the future development of his/her career

• Has a broad scientific knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to design, produce and maintain complex mechanical, electrical and/or energy systems with a focus on products, systems and services.

• Has an in depth scientific knowledge, understanding and skills in at least one of the subfields needed to design, produce, apply and maintain complex mechanical, electrical and/or energy systems;

• Has an in-depth understanding of safety standards and rules with respect to mechanical, electrical and energy systems.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

General Overview

• Sustainable energy – without the hot air – David MacKay. 380 Pages, UIT Cambridge Ltd, 2009. Free download - http://www.withouthotair.com/ - ISBN: 978-0954452933
• Renewable Energy : Power for a Sustainable Future - Godfrey BOYLE; 452 pages, Oxford University Press second edition, 2004, ISBN 0-19-926178-4
• Renewable energy in power systems - Leon FRERIS and David INFIELD; 284 pages, Wiley edition, 2008. ISBN 978-0-470-01749-4

Wind, Photovoltaic and Grid Integration

• Handbook of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1560 pages, CRC Press, 1 edition (May 7, 2007), ISBN-10: 0849317304, ISBN-13: 978-0849317309 (chapter 22 on wind energy systems, chapter 23 on photovoltaic systems)
• WIND ENERGY - THE FACTS, March 2009, 488 pages, http://www.wind-energy-the-facts.org/, ISBN: 978184407710

Biomass

• Handbook of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1560 pages, CRC Press, 1 edition (May 7, 2007), ISBN-10: 0849317304, ISBN-13: 978-0849317309

Course notes

• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Julien Blondeau: julien.blondeau@vub.be

Johan Gyselinck: johan.gyselinck@ulb.be

Campus

Plaine, Solbosch

Method(s) of evaluation

• written examination
• Practice exam
• Group work

written examination

Practice exam

Group work

Language(s) of evaluation

• english