OVERVIEW

The course provides an overview of the main technical and economic issues connected with the fossil fuel and renewable energy conversion and consumption. The main thermodynamic concept necessary to the basic understanding of energy conversion will be introduced, then the main traditional and renewable technologies for electric and thermal energy conversion will be presented. Furthermore, techniques for analysing energy consumption and the main methodologies for analysing energy investments will be introduced.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to propose a general understanding of:

• Basic concepts on energy conversion.
• The main renewables source.
• The dynamic of energy consumption.
• Fundamentals of investments in energy projects.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

On the successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Apply the basic laws of thermodynamics

Describe the fundamental principles of energy conversion

Understand the introductory concepts related to renewable energy

Develop methodologies for the techno-economic analysis of thermal and energy systems

The course contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda "sustainable development goals", contributing in particular to the 4-7-9-11-13 goals

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge and understanding of the main indexes for investment valuations (i.e., NPV, IRR, PBP)

TEACHING METHODS

The main teaching methods will be frontal lectures and practical sessions including the utilization of PC with particular reference to MS- Excel. Frontal lectures will serve for introducing the topics and illustrate the main theoretical concepts useful for understanding the subject. Practical sessions will serve to illustrate, develop, and discuss real, multidisciplinary case studies.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is articulated in the following four macro-areas:

1. Basic principles of energy conversion (20 hours): I and II law of thermodynamics, concept of efficiency, Carnot cycle, examples of direct cycles, examples of inverse cycles and COP definition;
2. Renewables (10 hours): solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, thermodynamic solar systems, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydro energy, hydrogen energy, biomass energy;
3. Valuation of energy project (20 hours): estimation of the energy generation, CAPEX estimation through cost functions, LCOE, development of an energy project and calculation of its profitability;
4. Analysis of energy consumption and long term energy demand scenarios (10 hours): indexes for analysing energy consumption, weather adjustment of data, variables influencing energy consumption, basic concepts for scenario analysis.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teaching aids provided by the lecturers

V. Bianco - Analysis of Energy Systems. Management, Planning, and Policy. CRC Press

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MATTIA DE ROSA (President)

GUGLIELMO LOMONACO (President Substitute)

FEDERICO SCARPA (President Substitute)

LUCA ANTONIO TAGLIAFICO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral discussion with possible presentation of a project.

Students with SLD, with disabilities, or with other regularly certified special educational needs will agree with the teacher on the exam method and the compensatory instruments, by contacting the instructor at least 10 days before the exam. They will also be able to take advantage of the additional time required by law.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will focus on the assessment of the level of achieved knowledge of the learning outcomes with specific reference to the application of the basic knowledge of thermodynamics, the description of the fundamentals of energy conversion, the understanding of the main concepts related to renewable energy, and the development of techno-economic analyses related to energy systems.

Exam schedule