OVERVIEW

The course deals with both the theoretical and technological aspects of energy systems and their main components. The focus is mainly on thermo-electric energy conversion plants from fuels or alternative thermal sources. The course explores, also from a technological point of view, the need to provide a national electricity grid with programmable energy sources, which can therefore compensate for the stochastic fluctuations of loads and production from renewable sources.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The fundamentals of the design and/or construction and/or operation of energy plants are discussed. Starting from thermodynamics and fluid dynamics applied to energy systems, the following topics are addressed: internal combustion engines, steam plants, turbine and gas plants, cogeneration and combined cycles, and renewable energy plants.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the main energy conversion systems, their operating principles, and their key components.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• describe the operating principles, main components, and process layouts of the energy systems covered in the course;
• analyse the performance of energy systems and their components, identifying the main parameters affecting their operation;
• compare and evaluate the advantages, limitations, and fields of application of different energy system configurations;
• solve numerical problems related to the energy systems covered in the course and critically analyse the results, assessing their physical and engineering consistency;
• critically interpret experimental data and simulation results related to energy systems;
• retrieve, select, and evaluate technical and scientific information on the main technologies for electricity generation;
• develop a simple simulation model of an internal combustion engine and use it to analyse its performance.

PREREQUISITES

Technical Physics

TEACHING METHODS

The course is delivered primarily through class lectures supported by teaching materials (slides) made available to students. Lectures are complemented by active learning methodologies designed to foster student engagement and participatory learning, including interactive quizzes and polls using digital tools (e.g. Wooclap), Peer Instruction activities, case study discussions, and numerical exercises with critical analysis of the results. The course also includes computer laboratory sessions dedicated to the simulation and performance analysis of energy systems.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is organised into six modules, outlined below.

A) INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY SYSTEMS

Overview of the main energy systems and their role in the current energy landscape. Energy demand, energy sources, and energy consumption. Units of measurement and the main quantities used in the analysis of energy systems. Classification of fluid machines. Performance indicators of power-producing and power-consuming machines, with particular emphasis on compressors and turbines.

B) FUELS AND COMBUSTION PROCESSES

Classification of fossil and alternative fuels. Combustion stoichiometry and mass and energy balances. Standard enthalpy of formation and heating value. Adiabatic flame temperature. Theoretical air requirement, excess air, and the main emissions associated with combustion processes.

C) INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

General principles and classification. Geometrical and performance parameters. Mechanical layout of internal combustion engines. Two-stroke and four-stroke engines. Otto and Diesel reference cycles. Spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines. Ideal, limiting, real and indicated cycles. Valve timing diagram. Engine performance characteristics. Engine control, turbocharging systems and emissions. Overview of the use of biogas and other alternative fuels in internal combustion engines.

D) STEAM POWER PLANTS

Steam cycles and plant configurations. Cycle efficiency and the main methods for improving plant performance. Thermal balance of the cycle. Cogeneration and back-pressure steam plants. Main components: steam turbines, condensers, deaerators, regenerative feedwater heaters, steam generators and flue gas systems. Feedwater treatment and cooling systems. Control strategies for steam power plants. Overview of geothermal power plants.

E) GAS TURBINE POWER PLANTS AND COMBINED CYCLES

Gas turbine cycles: ideal, limiting and real simple cycles. Cycle efficiency and conditions for maximum specific work. Specific work-efficiency diagram. Main components of gas turbine power plants. Regenerative, intercooled and reheated gas turbine cycles: configurations and performance. Combined-cycle power plants: plant configurations, heat recovery steam generators and performance assessment. Combined heat and power (CHP) systems and district heating. Overview of biomass- and biogas-fired power plants.

F) HYDROELECTRIC AND WIND POWER PLANTS

Hydroelectric power plants: classification, main plant configurations, hydraulic turbines and pumped-storage systems. Wind power plants: wind resource assessment, wind characteristics, power curves, main types of wind turbines and performance evaluation criteria.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

ACTON O., CAPUTO C. - (1) Introduzione allo studio delle macchine; (2)  Impianti  motori; (4) Turbomacchine - UTET

BENSON S. - The Thermodynamics and Gas Dynamics of ICE - Clarendon Pres

CLUP A. - Principles of energy conversion - McGraw-Hill

DIXON S.L. - Thermodynamics of Turbomachinery - Pergamon

LOZZA G. - Turbine a gas e cicli combinati - Progetto Leonardo

MORAN, SHAPIRO - Fundamentals of Thermodynamics - J.Wiley

SANDROLINI S, NALDI G. - Macchine - Pitagora

STECCO S. - Impianti di conversione energetica - Ed. Pitagora

TAYLOR C. - The Internal Combustion Engine - MIT 

VAN WYLEN, SONNTAG - Fundamentals of Thermodynamics - Wiley

VARDY A. - Fluid Principles - McGraw-Hill

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11976/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final assessment consists of a written examination in the form of a computer-based practical exercise and an oral examination covering the topics addressed during the course. The oral examination also includes a discussion of the computer-based exercise completed by the student.

Students with a certified learning disability (DSA), a disability, or other special educational needs are invited to contact the instructor at the beginning of the lessons to discuss teaching and examination arrangements that, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take individual learning needs into account and provide appropriate accommodations.
Please also note that requests for exam accommodations or exemptions must be submitted using the form available at this link 
https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti#no-back , to the teaching professor, the SCUOLA contact person (federico.scarpa@unige.it), and the relevant office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it) at least seven working days before the examination, in accordance with the guidelines available at this link 
https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/richiesta-servizi

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral examination: open-ended questions covering the topics addressed during the course, aimed at assessing the student's knowledge and understanding of the course contents, critical thinking skills, appropriate use of technical terminology, and ability to describe process layouts and thermodynamic cycles. The oral examination also includes the presentation and critical discussion of the computer-based exercise completed by the student.

Written examination: a computer-based practical exercise aimed at assessing the student's ability to apply the calculation methods and simulation tools presented during the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The laboratory excercises will be carried out using the software Matlab.