The aim of this course is to give a technical assessment of the most important renewable energy resources and associated technology to utilise them from simple methods to ultra-modern advanced energy systems. Apart from a short overview of basic concepts for energy conversion and perspective on energy supply and demand, the five the main subjects include the following:
Solar: solar cells and solar heating
Biomass: resources, biofuels and biochemical transformation
Wind power: primary mechanical design and system aspect
Hydroelectric power: key components technical designs of large-scale and small-scale systems
Energy storage: important components and system concepts for electric and thermal storage
A continuous learning philosophy is applied in this course with an emphasis on problem-solving through application of basic mechanical engineering (energy balances, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics). The course is an integrated part of specialisations in the MSc programme in Sustainable Energy Engineering.