Energias Renováveis

Objectives

The course aims to provide students with general knowledge about Renewable Energy. The program is multidisciplinary and covers physical principles and technologies. The curriculum focuses on electric energy production, biofuels and thermal applications. The course includes two main areas: • Fundamentals: physical laws and the renewable energy conversion chain. • Technology: the main technologies in the renewable energy sector. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: • Understand the renewable energy sector from different perspectives. • Understand the scientific fundamentals and engineering design principles of renewable energy systems. • Evaluate and compare different renewable energy technologies.

Syllabus

Energy consumption. Fossil fuels and climate change. Renewable energies and sustainable development. Renewable energy policies. Hydropower. Water resource. Hydraulic turbines. Pumped plants. Economic and environmental aspects. Wind energy. Resource. Turbine aerodynamics. The energy conversion chain. Offshore wind farms. Economic and environmental aspects. Ocean energies: tides; ocean currents; thermal differential; waves. Energy resource and types of systems. Current situation and prospects. Solar energy. Relative motion of the earth and the sun. Resource. The principle of photovoltaic conversion. Photovoltaic uses. Solar thermal uses. Current situation and prospects. Economic and environmental aspects. Geothermal Energy. Resource. Types of power stations for electricity production. District heating. Geothermal heat pumps. Biomass. Biomass as fuel. Biomass sources: crops and residues. Electricity and heat production. Production of fuels. Intermittence of renewable energy and storage.

Prerequisites

Aproval in Fluid Mechanics I and II.

Cross Competence Component

The laboratory work is to be performed in groups and requires critical and innovative thinking, contributing to teamwork skills and for improving scientific and technical communication among future engineers.

Laboratorial Component

Laboratory test of a photovoltaic panel and a hydraulic turbine or a small wind turbine.

Programming And Computing Component

Students need post-process laboratory testing data.

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group’s work In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.