OVERVIEW

The most important technologies for the production of electricity from both fossil and renewable sources will be examined.

The course aims to provide:

a) an overview of the available technologies for the production of electricity from fossil and renewable sources;

b) the basic knowledge to be able to be able to objectively evaluate alternative technologies.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide the basic knowledge that allows students to understand the concepts of energy and sustainable development. The tools for qualitative / quantitative evaluation in thermodynamic, technological, economic, environmental, and social terms will be provided. Both available and emerging technologies for the foreseeable future will be briefly discussed.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide the basic knowledge that allows students to understand the concepts of energy and sustainable development. The tools for qualitative / quantitative evaluation in thermodynamic, technological, economic, environmental, and social terms will be provided. Both available and emerging technologies for the foreseeable future will be briefly discussed.

Aims and outcomes

The course will provide the basic knowledge that allows students to understand the concepts of energy and sustainable development. The tools for qualitative/quantitative evaluation in thermodynamic, technological, economica, environmental, and social terms will be provided. Both available and emerging technologies for the foreseeable future will be briefly discussed.

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the knowledge that allows to carry out the assessment of a technology for the production of electricity in terms of environmental and economic impact. In particular, the student will be able to:

a) know the principles of operation of the most important technologies for the energy valorization of fossil fuels (coal-fired thermal power plants, combined cycle power plants ...);
b) know the principles of operation of the most important technologies for the energy enhancement of renewable sources (hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, wind ...);

 c) apply the concepts of applied thermodynamics to critically evaluate the end use of energy.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of thermodynamics and physics

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons.

Case studies will be discussed that will help students to acquire the theoretical concepts.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Concept of sustainable development: interactions with economic, environmental, and social processes.
• Energy production: economic, environmental, and social sustainability; economic and thermodynamic analysis.
• Technological innovation as a tool for sustainable development: management of resources (natural and renewable). Climate change: Kyoto protocol. Systematic analysis of energy systems; measure of sustainability through some sustainability indicators.
• Primary energy sources: fossil sources. Comparison of the different production technologies in terms of environmental impact; overview of the most common generation systems: coal-fired, gas turbines, combined cycle, cogeneration. Capture and sequestration of CO2. Emission trading.
• Alternative sources: renewable  sources. Hydroelectric, geothermal, solar energy from the tides. Biomass energy.

Optional Topics
• Alternative sources: wind energy, waste energy
• Nuclear energy: overview of available and emerging technologies.
• Energy carriers: electricity, hydrogen.

• Electrochemical energy: fuel cells.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Textbooks:

Rubini, L. e Sangiorgio, S. (Editori), “Le energie rinnovabili. le nuove tecnologie di produzione elettrica e termica”, Editore Ulrico Hoepli, Milano (2012).

Reference books:

Cleveland, C.J. (Editor), “Encyclopedia of energy”, Elsevier (2004) ) (disponibile su www.sciencedirect.com)

Breeze, P., “Power Generation Technologies”, Oxford (UK), Elsevier (2005).

Miglietta F., “Elementi di Fisica Tecnica”, Pitagora Editore (2012)

Sayigh Ali (Editor), “Comprehensive Renewable Energy”, Elsevier (2012) (disponibile su www.sciencedirect.com)

Tester, J.W. et al.,“Sustainable Energy: Choosing among Options”, Cambridge (MA), MIT Press, 2005.

The copies of the lecture slides are insufficient for a good exam preparation, it is strongly recommended to use textbooks or reference books.​

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ALBERTO SERVIDA (President)

CAMILLA COSTA

PAOLA COSTAMAGNA

MARCELLO PAGLIERO

ANDREA REVERBERI

ANTONIO COMITE (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See   https://chimica.unige.it/didattica/orari_CTC

Class schedule

ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam only. Registration must be done by registering online and sending an e-mail (servida@unige.it) within 7 days before the exam date.

The online registration for the exam can be done from the web page: https://servizionline.unige.it/studenti/esami/prenotazione.

The student can choose two options: a) traditional oral exam; b) discussion of a report on a topic chosen by the student and agreed with the teacher.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The Commission is made up of at least two members, one of whom is responsible for teaching; the oral exam lasts at least 30 minutes. In these ways, the Commission is able to verify the achievement of the teaching objectives of the course. In the event that these are not achieved, the student is invited to deepen the study by requesting any additional explanations from the teacher in charge.

The overall assessment also takes into account the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in solving problems of industrial interest.

Exam schedule